• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.242-253
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• 2008

It is a common clinical practice to recommend taking iron supplements for pregnant women during gestation. Although it is required to ensure adequate iron stores during pregnancy, there has been some debate over the interference effects of excessive iron load, because it is possible to compete in the transport in the intestine and placenta and in binding to serum proteins of other trace minerals. In this study, maternal and neonatal serum concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Cr, Mn, and Co were assessed along with maternal Fe intakes. A total of 124 pregnant women and their term neonates participated voluntarily in this research. The women were divided into one of the three groups {high Fe intake (HFI), median Fe intake (MFI), and low Fe intake (LFI)} by their total Fe intakes and one of the two groups (Anemic and Normal) by their Fe nutritional status. All the data were compared among the three groups and between the two groups also. Total Fe intakes of HFI, MFI, and LFI groups were 140.8 ${\pm}$ 76.1, 68.0 ${\pm}$ 11.2, and 30.2 ${\pm}$ 8.6 mg/day, respectively. Those of Anemic and Normal groups were 90.1 ${\pm}$ 74.8 and 86.6 ${\pm}$ 46.8 mg/day, respectively. Maternal Hb concentration and Hct were not significantly different among HFI, MFI, and LFI groups but those were significantly different between Anemic and Normal groups. However, neonatal Hb concentration was not significantly different among HFI, MFI, and LFI groups and between Anemic and Normal groups either. Maternal serum Fe concentrations of the three groups, HFI, MFI, and LFI, were similar but that of Anemic group was significantly lower compared to Normal group. However, there was no significant difference in neonatal serum Fe concentrations among the three groups and between the two groups either. Serum concentrations of the other trace minerals in both mothers and neonates were not significantly different among HFI, MFI, and LFI groups and between Anemic and Normal groups. In addition, in the maternal serum, Fe concentration was positively correlated to Zn and Se concentration, respectively. As for the neonatal serum, Fe concentration showed a positive correlation to Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, and Co concentration, respectively. No trace mineral concentration was found to correlate negatively to Fe concentration in both maternal and neonatal serum, The results in this study indicate that Fe intakes of pregnant women, even if it is considerably above the level of estimated average requirement (EAR), may not affect serum Fe concentration in both mothers and neonates. In addition it might not influence adversely on the availability of other trace minerals including Zn and Cu in both mothers and neonates.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.232-240
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• 2008

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and characteristics related to malnutrition in children less than five years of age in Nghean, Vietnam. Methods: In this study, which was conducted in November 2007, 650 child-mother pairs were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling methodology. A structured questionnaire was then administered to the mothers in their home settings. Anthropometric measurement was then used to determine if children were underweight (weight-for-age), wasting (weight-for-height) and stunting (height-for-age) based on reference data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)/World Health Organization (WHO). Logistic regression analysis was then used to describe the hierarchical relationships between potential risk factors and malnutrition. Results: The mean Z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height were -1.46 (95% CI=-1.57, -1.35), -1.44 (95% CI=-1.56, -1.32) and -0.71 (95% CI=-0.82, -0.60), respectively. Of the children included in this study, 193 (31.8%) were underweight, 269 (44.3%) were stunting and 72 (11.9%) were wasting. Region of residence, the mother's level of education and occupation, household size, number of children in the family, weight at birth and duration of exclusive breastfeeding were found to be significantly related to malnutrition. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that malnutrition is still an important problem among children less than five years of age in Nghean, Vietnam. In addition, maternal, socio-economic and environment factors were found to be significant factors for malnutrition among children under five.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.282-286
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• 2002

Anemia is prevalent among pregnant women in Korea, and Fe deficiency anemia is a major nutritional problem throughout the world. Because studies of Cu, Mn, and Cr levels excluding Fe are rare, we were interested in changes in the nutritional status of these trace minerals and their relationship to hematogenesis. Accordingly, we determined the changes in plasma Fe, Cu, Mn, and Cr concentrations of maternal and umbilical cord blood during pregnancy, and evaluated the relationships between them at different time points during pregnancy. A total of 81 women participated in the study: 26 subjects in the first trimester, 23 in the second, and 32 in the third trimester. Plasma Fe levels were lower significantly (p<0.05) in the third trimester. Plasma Cu level ($\mu\textrm{g}$/dL) in each trimester were 86.6$\pm$13.8, 111.6$\pm$27.9, and 114.0$\pm$29.7, respectively; with significant increases (p<0.()5) in the second and third trimester. Plasma Mn concentrations (pg/dL) in each trimester were 212.6$\pm$89.0, 234.0$\pm$140.0, and 240.3$\pm$166.0, respectively and tended to increase, though not significantly, as the pregnancies progressed. The plasma concentrations of Cr (pg/dL) in each trimester were 3.7$\pm$2.0, 3.1$\pm$1.0, and 2.4$\pm$1.2, respectively; and was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the third trimester. In umbilical cord blood, the plasma level of Fe was 194.8$\pm$74.6 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dL, Cu was 57.5$\pm$10.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dL, Mn was 482.4$\pm$111.1 pg/dL, and Cr was 9.3$\pm$2.8 pg/dL. Plasma concentrations of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Cr of cord blood were 300 %, 50 %, 200 %, and 370% as compared to those of maternal blood in the third trimester. These results suggest that an active transport mechanism for the transport of Fe, Mn, and Cr from mother to fetus may exist, whereas, for Cu, the placenta appears to have a blocking effect on the transport from mother to baby.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.305-318
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• 1997

This study was aimed at evaluating the nutritional status of Korean lactating women, who were attending peripheral community clinics in low-income areas, by anthropometric measurement, estimating dietary intakes and analyzing the contents of breast milk components, serum lipid content and fatty acid composition. Regarding anghropometric measurements, maternal circumferences decreased significantly at the trunk but not at the limbs. The skinfold thickness on all regions had the tendency to decrease during lactation. It was found that intakes of energy, protein, lipid and carbohydrates were desirable while calcium, zinc, copper and vitamin A were low and sodium was excessive. The energy $\%$of fat was 22.41$\%$of the total energy which is higher than the RDA for adults but it is proper for lactating women, but energy $\%$ from each fatty acid was usually low and an intake ratio of $\omega$6/$\omega$3 fatty acids was desirable. Accordingly, it is thought that dietary fat intake was balanced in quality. Concentrations of the nutrients in matured human milk showed the same range as that reported form different regions with the exception of calcium and magnesium which were relatively low. Serum lipid contents were decreased with the time postpartum and the average serum lipid content of lactating women were similar to the normal range of adults. Serum polyunsaturated fatty acids. especially $\omega$6 fatty acids have gradually increased with the time postpartum, but the composition were not greatly influenced by dietary intakes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 1990

The longitudinal study was done to study the effect of length of lactation on mineral content of breast milk and to find out basic data on nutritional status for infants and lactation women in Korea. Milk was collected from primiparae(n=10) and multiparae(n=6) at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 months postpartum. During lactation the content of total ash, calcium, phosphours decreased significantly (;<0.001), but magnesium increased significantly (p<0.001). Total ash, calcium, phosphrus and magnesium contents of breast milk per 100ml were as 0.22g, 27.25mg, 14.67mg and 2.77mg in total lactating women(n=16), respectively. These contents were not significantly different between primiparae and multiparae. A ratio of calcium to phosphorus was about 1.88:1 in breast milk and 0.50:1 in maternal dietary intake. No correlation was found between maternal dietary intake and mineral content of breast milk.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.577-584
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• 1999

The correlation between maternal lipid nutritional status during pregnancy and gestational length was investigated. Subjects consisted of 30 full-term delivery mothers, 30 preterm delivery mothers, and babies of both groups. Dietary fat intake during pregnancy and serum lipid levels in mother and umbilical serum were measured. The mean daily intake levels of fatty acid during pregnancy were lower than the recommended dietary allowances, while $\omega$6/$\omega$3 ratios of dietary fatty acids were acceptable. For preterm delivery mothers, fatty acid intake levels to be lower than those in full-term delivery mothers, especially DHA intake of these two groups was significantly different. During gestation, hyperlipidemia was apparent in the pregnant women. The serum lipid contents of preterm delivery mothers tended to be lower than those of full-term delivery mothers, and umbilical cord serum lipid contents of the preterm delivery group tended to be higher than those of the full-term delivery group. Total cholesterol levels in the umbilical cord serum of preterm babies were significantly higher than those of full-term delivery group. On the other hand, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels between umbilical cord serum and maternal serum were positively correlated in the preterm delivery group. Concerning, energy and fatty acid intakes were more closely associated with umbilical cord serum lipid levels in full-term babies, but negatively associated in preterm babies. It was concluded that gestational length was related to the dietary intake of fatty acids such as DHA in pregnant women. For better understanding, the ralationship between placental lipid transport mechanisms and gestational length needs to be explored.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 1980

The main purposes of the nutrition and clinical surveys were to provide baseline information on the nutritional status of pre-school children in rural health demonstration project areas of the Korea Health Development Institute (KHDI) for nutrition guidance services for the MCH target group. The survey covered a total of 222 pre-school children and 135 mothers in Okgu Gun, Cholla Pukto Province from August 10 to August 17, 1979. The survey results are summarized as follows: 1) Family Environment Seventy percent of the households had more than three children, and the mean family sire was 6. Sixty-nine percent of the mothers and 47% of the fathers of the surveyed households were educated at or below the primary school level. The majority, 70% of the mothers, were aged between 20 years and 35 years. 2) Anthropometric Measurements and Hemoglobin Value 4.5% of the children were lower than 80% weight for age of the Korean standard, and 5.4% were lower than 85% arm circumference for age of the Jelliffe's standard resectively, and those were suffering from protein-energy malnutrition. Angular stomatitis were observed on 66.2% of the subjects. Mean hemoglobin value was 11.1g/100m1, and 44.2% of the subjects were categorized as anaemia. 3) Food and Nutrient Intake of animal foods was very low, ranging from 2.9 to 17%. Consumption of eggs was less than 2% of total food intake, and intake of legumes was also very scanty, between 0.8 to 3.7%. These data present evidence of very poor protein intake, quality as well as quantity. Energy intake of children was 60.0 to 64.4% of the recommended allowance, and mean protein intake only met 47.4% of the recommendation. Low intake of vitamins except thiamin were also found. 4) Mother's Nutrition Knowledge Eighty-five percent of the mothers were entirely ignorant regarding the 'five basic food group' which is most important fact on food and nutrition guidance. Mean knowledge score from 14 basic questions about food and nutrition was as low as 5.1. There was a significant positive correlation between mother's educational level and nutrition knowledge score. 5) Family Planning Variable There were significant correlation among maternal, family planning variables, and some of the nutritional and physical measurements. The study revealed that the mother's educational level and nutrition knowledge score are more crucial factors than the family planning variables on effecting food intakes on children. Recommendation : According to the results of the surveys, there were high incident rates of nutritional anaemia and angular stomatitis among pre-school children, and most of rural women had very limited knowledge about food and nutrition. As a main part of the health education activities, the community health workers should provide nutrition education to the village mothers to improve the nutrional status of young children in rural areas. Nutrional promotion at the primary health care level should be mainly based on appropriate nutrition education.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.295-306
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• 2007

The growth and health of the fetus and neonate are directly influenced by the nutritional and physiological status of sows. Sows are often under catabolic conditions due to restrict feeding program during pregnancy and low voluntary feed intake during lactation. The current restrict feeding program, which aims at controlling energy intake during gestation, results in an inadequate supply of dietary protein for fetal and mammary gland growth. Low voluntary feed intake during lactation also causes massive maternal tissue mobilization. Provision of amino acids and fatty acids with specific functions may enhance the performance of pregnant and lactating sows by modulating key metabolic pathways. These nutrients include arginine, branched-chain amino acids, glutamine, tryptophan, proline, conjugated linoleic acids, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid, which can enhance conception rates, embryogenesis, blood flow, antioxidant activity, appetite, translation initiation for protein synthesis, immune cell proliferation, and intestinal development. The outcome is to improve sow reproductive performance as well as fetal and neonatal growth and health. Dietary supplementation with functional amino acids and fatty acids holds great promise in optimizing nutrition, health, and production performance of sows and piglets. (Supported by funds from Texas Tech, USDA, NLRI-RDA-Korea, and China NSF).

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.489-495
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• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate the weaning practice of 198 infants in Taejon city in October, 1998. Information on infant feeding and weaning practices were obtained by interviewing mothers in gynecologist and pediatric clinics located in Taejon. The results obtained were as follows : In the survey 37.4% of the infants were breast-feeding, while 31.3% of them were bottle-feeding and 29.3% of them were mixed-feeding. The reason for bottled-feeding was due either to the lack of breast-milk secretion or motner’s job. The educational level of the mother and maternal job affected the feeding methods before weaning. Lower rates of breast-feeding were found among mothers witn a lover level of education. The breast-feeding rate was lower in full-time and part-time job worker groups than in housewife. There was no significant difference in the feeding methods according to family income. Among the subjects, 71.5% of infants began to be weaned within 7 months. The onset of weaning was delayed in the full-time worker group. There was no significant difference in the onset time of weaning according to feeding method, the educational level of the mother, and family income. 60.6% of infants received fruit juice and 29.6% of them received cereals for first-given-supplementary food. ‘For baby’s nutritional status’ was the most common motivation for the onset of weaning. Commercially prepared foods were used more than home-made food for supplementary food.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.174-189
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and growth of Korean infants, who were atending peripheral community clinics in low income areas, by anthropometric measurements and estimating dietary intakes. Dietary intakes and growth were compared among different feeding patterns of 143 infants until age 9 months. The overall mean nutrient intakes of infants in this study were below the recommended allowances except the calcium intake from significant difference in each groups; however, calcium, zinc and iron intake of the formula fed infant(FF) was higher than the breast fed infant(BF) or the mixed fed infant(MF). Form ages 4-6 months, the nutrient intakes were shown to be higher in groups that were given supplementary foods than groups that were not. From ages 7-9 months, all nutrient intakes were higher in or the formula and supplementary foods fed(ESF) infants than in the breast and supplementary food(BSF) or the formula and supplementary food(FSF) groups, All subjets in this study showed a large Z-score. The growth of infants up to 6 months of age showed no significant difference in the feeding pattern, however, after 7 months of age the BSF group had significantly lower weight than the FSF or the ESF groups, There were significant positive relationships between infants weight gain at age 7-9 months from birth and the current protein or zinc intakes. As a result the average status of nutrient intakes of infants in this area was loser than the RDA, however, the growth pattern was fairly good. Although the breast milk is beneficial for infants, mothers should be educated for the importance of supplemental food and its practice to support good mutrition(Korean J Community Nutrition 3 (2) : 174-189, 1998)