Childhood Deficiencies https://greenmedinfo.com/taxonomy/term/8466/all en Iodine supplementation improves cognition in mildly-iodine deficient children. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/iodine-supplementation-improves-cognition-mildly-iodine-deficient-children PMID:  Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2008 Sep;33(17):2141-5. PMID: 19726593 Abstract Title:  Iodine supplementation improves cognition in mildly iodine-deficient children. Abstract:   BACKGROUND: The effects of severe iodine deficiency during critical periods of brain development are well documented. There is little known about the consequences of milder forms of iodine deficiency on neurodevelopment. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether supplementing mildly iodine-deficient children with iodine improves cognition. DESIGN: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was conducted in 184 children aged 10-13 y in Dunedin, New Zealand. Children were randomly assigned to receive a daily tablet containing either 150 microg I or placebo for 28 wk. Biochemical, anthropometric, and dietary data were collected from each child at baseline and after 28 wk. Cognitive performance was assessed through 4 subtests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. RESULTS: At baseline, children were mildly iodine deficient [median urinary iodine concentration (UIC): 63 microg/L; thyroglobulin concentration: 16.4 microg/L]. After 28 wk, iodine status improved in the supplemented group (UIC: 145 microg/L; thyroglobulin: 8.5 microg/L), whereas the placebo group remained iodine deficient (UIC: 81 microg/L; thyroglobulin: 11.6 microg/L). Iodine supplementation significantly improved scores for 2 of the 4 cognitive subtests [picture concepts (P = 0.023) and matrix reasoning (P = 0.040)] but not for letter-number sequencing (P = 0.480) or symbol search (P = 0.608). The overall cognitive score of the iodine-supplemented group was 0.19 SDs higher than that of the placebo group (P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Iodine supplementation improved perceptual reasoning in mildly iodine-deficient children and suggests that mild iodine deficiency could prevent children from attaining their full intellectual potential. The trial was registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Register as ACTRN12608000222347. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/iodine-supplementation-improves-cognition-mildly-iodine-deficient-children#comments Childhood Deficiencies Iodine Iodine Deficiency Human Study Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:25:32 +0000 greenmedinfo 48091 at https://greenmedinfo.com There is a relationship between childhood cancer incidence and sunlight exposure. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/there-relationship-between-childhood-cancer-incidence-and-sunlight-exposure PMID:  Psychosom Med. 2004 Jul-Aug;66(4):607-13. PMID: 21102587 Abstract Title:  Childhood cancer incidence in relation to sunlight exposure. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in the possible association between cancer incidence and vitamin D through its role as a regulator of cell growth and differentiation. Epidemiological studies in adults and one paediatric study suggest an inverse association between sunlight exposure and cancer incidence.METHODS: We carried out an ecological study using childhood cancer registry data and two population-level surrogates of sunlight exposure, (1) latitude of the registry city or population centroid of the registry nation and (2) annual solar radiation. All models were adjusted for nation-level socioeconomic status using socioeconomic indicators.RESULTS: Latitude and radiation were significantly associated with cancer incidence, and the direction of association was consistent between the surrogates. Findings were not consistent across tumour types.CONCLUSION: Our ecological study offers some evidence to support an association between sunlight exposure and risk of childhood cancer. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/there-relationship-between-childhood-cancer-incidence-and-sunlight-exposure#comments Cancer: Childhood Cancers: All Childhood Deficiencies Sunlight exposure Meta Analysis Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:25:35 +0000 greenmedinfo 61711 at https://greenmedinfo.com Vitamin C and D deficiencies in North American children may be contributing to cognitive disorders and autistic spectrum disorders. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/vitamin-c-and-d-deficiencies-north-american-children-may-be-contributing-cogni PMID:  Pediatrics. 2007 Mar;119(3):e783-90. PMID: 17332193 Abstract Title:  Scurvy and rickets masked by chronic neurologic illness: revisiting "psychologic malnutrition". Abstract:  The North American epidemic of overeating, combined with a sedentary lifestyle, has led to a growing prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and the "metabolic syndrome" in children. Excessive caloric intake does not imply adequate nutrition, and vitamin-deficiency syndromes still occur in some American children. Here we describe cases of scurvy and vitamin D deficiency in 2 children with cognitive disorders. Thorough dietary histories suggested the diagnosis in each patient and, had they been obtained at presentation, would likely have obviated invasive diagnostic workup, unnecessary stress to the patients and their families, and significant functional disability. Overnutrition and malnutrition may coexist, particularly among those with abnormal cognition or autistic spectrum disorders. Classic nutritional deficiencies must not be omitted from the differential diagnosis. A comprehensive dietary history and screening for vitamin deficiencies in at-risk children are important aspects of preventive health care and are essential for prompt diagnosis and treatment. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/vitamin-c-and-d-deficiencies-north-american-children-may-be-contributing-cogni#comments Autism Spectrum Disorders Childhood Cognitive Disorders Childhood Deficiencies Vitamin C Vitamin D Human Study Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:17:30 +0000 greenmedinfo 52149 at https://greenmedinfo.com Vitamin D supplementation administered during pregnancy and childhood may prevent multiple sclerosis. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/vitamin-d-supplementation-administered-during-pregnancy-and-childhood-may-prev PMID:  JAMA. 2002 Nov 27;288(20):2554-60. PMID: 15617877 Abstract Title:  Why we should offer routine vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy and childhood to prevent multiple sclerosis. Abstract:  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that runs a chronic course and disables young people. The disease is more prevalent in the geographic areas that are farthest from the equator. No form of treatment is known to be effective in preventing MS or its disabling complications. A number of epidemiological studies have shown a protective effect of exposure to sunlight during early life and a recent longitudinal study confirmed that vitamin D supplementation reduced life-time prevalence of MS in women. Very little is known regarding the role of vitamin D on the developing brain but experimental data suggest that cerebral white matter is vitamin D responsive and oligodendrocytes in the brain and spinal cord and express vitamin D receptors. It is possible that differentiation and axonal adhesion of oligodendrocytes are influenced by vitamin D level during brain development and a relative lack of vitamin D may increase oligodendroglial apoptosis. The age effect of migration on susceptibility to develop MS could be explained by a role of vitamin D on brain development. In areas of high MS prevalence, dietary supplementation of vitamin D in early life may reduce the incidence of MS. In addition, like folic acid, vitamin D supplementation should also be routinely recommended in pregnancy. Prevention of MS by modifying an important environmental factor (sunlight exposure and vitamin D level) offers a practical and cost-effective way to reduce the burden of the disease in the future generations. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/vitamin-d-supplementation-administered-during-pregnancy-and-childhood-may-prev#comments Childhood Deficiencies Infant Nutrition Multiple Sclerosis Prenatal Nutrition: Health of the Offspring Vitamin D Risk Reduction Commentary Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:21:42 +0000 greenmedinfo 49453 at https://greenmedinfo.com