scholarly journals Contrasting prenatal nutrition and environmental exposures in association with birth weight and cognitive function in children at 7 years

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjnph-2020-000099
Author(s):  
Chris Gennings ◽  
Alicja Wolk ◽  
Niclas Hakansson ◽  
Christian Lindh ◽  
Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Environmental Exposures ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Environmental Toxicants ◽  
Dietary Restrictions ◽  
Good Nutrition ◽  
Nutritional Needs ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundGood nutrition is essential for individual health, a notion that is particularly true during pregnancy. We have used a nutrition index that measures the adequacy of one’s diet relative to the unique nutritional needs of individuals due to, for example, their activity level, dietary restrictions, lifestyle and body size. The use of this personalised metric of dietary nutritiousness in the analysis of prenatal environmental exposures and developmental outcomes permits testing for potential mitigating effects of good nutrition. We also provide an analysis strategy for investigating the balance in beneficial food sources which are also the source of environmental toxicants.MethodsA holistic measure of nutrition, My Nutrition Index (MNI), measures the nutrient quality (ie, ‘nutritiousness’) of a specified daily diet. MNI is calculated based on quantification of dozens of macronutrients and micronutrients that are specific to an individual’s nutritional needs by incorporating dietary restrictions, subject characteristics, activity level and health behaviours. The Swedish Environmental, Longitudinal, Mother and child, Asthma and allergy Study is a Swedish pregnancy cohort, with prenatal endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) exposure and dietary data available. This makes it possible to test for the potential mitigating effects of good nutrition on health and development effects in offspring from EDCs.ResultsUsing prenatal Food Frequency Questionnaire data to construct an individual’s MNI, the index was significantly and positively associated with important metabolic outcome (as measured by birth weight) and cognitive function at age 7 years (as measured by WISC IQ) in children when adjusted for covariates and prenatal concentrations of an EDC. In a stratified analysis of ‘low’ and ‘high’ fish consumption, a potential source of perfluoro-octanesulfonic acid (PFOS), the association between PFOS and birth weight was diminished in the high consumption group compared with the low consumption group.ConclusionsThus, MNI is evidently a metric of the general nutritiousness of daily diets and is useful in environmental health studies in representing the impact of good nutrition, even during pregnancy.

Abstract P206: Prenatal Cadmium Burden, Birth Weight, And Offspring Adolescent Blood Pressure

Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan K Suter ◽  
Daniel Enquobahrie ◽  
Catherine Karr ◽  
Sheela Sathyanarayana ◽  
Joseph T Flynn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
Cadmium Concentration ◽  
Effect Modification ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Environmental Toxicants ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Stage 1 ◽  
The Impact

Background: Cadmium is a ubiquitous, toxic heavy metal associated with several adverse health outcomes, including high blood pressure, in adults. The impact of maternal cadmium burden on offspring birth weight and have not been thoroughly explored. We investigated associations of prenatal cadmium burden with birth weight and offspring blood pressure in childhood and adolescence. Methods: We analyzed data from 202 mother-child pairs who were recruited for the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) study in Mexico City (1997-2000). Prenatal cadmium burden was characterized using maternal urine collected in the third trimester of pregnancy - continuous and quartile specific-gravity adjusted cadmium (log-UCd, μg/L). Outcomes were offspring birth weight and blood pressure (measured at age 7-15 years). Blood pressure status (normal, elevated, stage 1 hypertension) was defined based on the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines. Those with elevated or stage 1 hypertension were categorized as having high blood pressure. Linear and logistic regression models were used to examine associations, adjusted for potential confounders. Potential effect modification by offspring sex was assessed using interaction terms and sex-stratified models. Results: Study participants included 93 males and 109 females, with a mean age of 10.0 (SD=1.5) years. Median third trimester urinary cadmium concentration was 0.17 μg/L (IQR=0.12, 0.26). The prevalence of high blood pressure was 19.3% (39/202). Prenatal cadmium was not associated with birthweight (β=-58.94 grams, 95%CI: -138.07, 20.19), offspring systolic blood pressure (β=-0.90 mmHg, 95%CI: -2.87, 1.06), diastolic blood pressure (β=-1.21 mmHg, 95%CI: -2.68, 0.26), or high blood pressure (OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.34, 1.21). We found similar results when prenatal cadmium was modeled with quartiles. There was no evidence of effect modification by sex for any of the outcomes. Conclusions: In the current study, maternal third trimester was not associated with offspring blood pressure or birth weight, however future studies are needed to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals The Impact of Epicatechin on Human Cognition: The Role of Cerebral Blood Flow

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Crystal Haskell-Ramsay ◽  
Jeroen Schmitt ◽  
Lucas Actis-Goretta
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Cerebral Blood Flow ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
The Impact

Epicatechin is a monomeric flavanol found in food sources such as tea, apples, berries and cocoa. A number of large-scale epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between the consumption of these foods and cognitive function, as well as improved blood flow. The aim of this review is to summarise the evidence from intervention studies to clarify the effect of epicatechin on cognition and to consider the role of increased cerebral blood flow as a mechanism for any effects. The effects of epicatechin as consumed in cocoa are, therefore, reviewed here as this represents the only dietary source where it is purported to be the major active component. Our main findings are that a) the positive modulation of tasks that involve memory, executive function and processing speed in older adults; b) the cognitive benefits are more often shown in studies containing more than 50 mg epicatechin/day; and c) all studies with a duration of 28 days or longer in populations >50 years old demonstrate a cognitive improvement. However, as highlighted by this review, it is not currently possible to attribute effects solely to epicatechin without consideration of synergies. In order to overcome this issue, further studies examining the cognitive effects of epicatechin in isolation are required. The role of cerebral blood flow also requires further investigation through simultaneous measurement alongside cognitive function.

The impact of kangaroo care on exclusive breastfeeding in low birth weight newborns

2010 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Honorina de Almeida ◽  
Sonia I. Venancio ◽  
Maria Teresa C. Sanches ◽  
Daisuke Onuki
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽  
Kangaroo Care ◽  
The Impact

The Oxford Handbook of Adult Cognitive Disorders

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Brain Aging ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Psychiatric Illnesses ◽  
Medical Disorders ◽  
The Impact

The prevalence of cognitive impairment caused by neurodegenerative diseases and other neurologic disorders associated with aging is expected to rise dramatically between now and year 2050, when the population of Americans aged 65 or older will nearly double. Cognitive impairment also commonly occurs in other neurologic conditions, as well as in non-neurologic medical disorders (and their treatments), idiopathic psychiatric illnesses, and adult neurodevelopmental disorders. Cognitive impairment can thus infiltrate all aspects of healthcare, making it necessary for clinicians and clinical researchers to have an integrated knowledge of the spectrum of adult cognitive disorders. The Oxford Handbook of Adult Cognitive Disorders is meant to serve as an up-to-date, scholarly, and comprehensive volume covering most diseases, conditions, and injuries resulting in impairments in cognitive function in adults. Topics covered include normal cognitive and brain aging, the impact of medical disorders (e.g., cardiovascular, liver, pulmonary) and psychiatric illnesses (e.g., depression and bipolar disorder) on cognitive function, adult neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), as well as the various neurological conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, concussion). A section of the Handbook is also dedicated to unique perspectives and special considerations for the clinicians and clinical researchers, covering topics such as cognitive reserve, genetics, diversity, and neuroethics. The target audience of this Handbook includes: (1) clinicians, particularly psychologists, neuropsychologists, neurologists (including behavioral and cognitive neurologists), geriatricians, and psychiatrists (including neuropsychiatrists), who provide clinical care and management for adults with a diverse range of cognitive disorders; (2) clinical researchers who investigate cognitive outcomes and functioning in adult populations; and (3) graduate level students and post-doctoral trainees studying psychology, clinical neuroscience, and various medical specialties.

scholarly journals Contribution of plant food bioactives in promoting health effects of plant foods: why look at interindividual variability?

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (S2) ◽  
pp. 13-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Morand ◽  
Francisco A. Tomás-Barberán
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Interindividual Variability ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Plant Food ◽  
Health It ◽  
Plant Foods ◽  
Nutritional Needs ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
Actual Contribution

Abstract Purpose Research has identified plant-based diets as the most protective for our health; it is now essential to focus on good food associations and the beneficial constituents in plant foods. From a growing body of evidence, some categories of food phytochemicals are increasingly considered to play a crucial role in the cardiometabolic health effects associated with plant food consumption. However, the heterogeneity in responsiveness to plant food bioactive intake that is frequently observed in clinical trials can hinder the identification of the effects of these compounds in specific subpopulations and likely lead to underestimating their actual contribution to the health effects of their food sources. Results The magnitude and the main factors responsible for this between-subject variation in response to the consumption of the major families of food phytochemicals have been poorly documented so far. Thus, research efforts in this area must be developed. More importantly, capturing the interindividual variability in response to plant food bioactive intake, together with identifying the main determinants involved, is a crucial step that will enable the development and production of plant food products, thereby satisfying the nutritional needs and conferring benefits to different categories of populations. Conclusion The development of a science-based personalised nutrition approach focusing on plant foods rich in specific bioactive compounds could contribute to alleviating the dramatic burden of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

scholarly journals Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH) Cohort Study: influences of complex environmental exposures on maternal and child health in Suriname

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e034702
Author(s):  
Wilco Zijlmans ◽  
Jeffrey Wickliffe ◽  
Ashna Hindori-Mohangoo ◽  
Sigrid MacDonald-Ottevanger ◽  
Paul Ouboter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Fish Consumption ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Environmental Exposures ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Environmental And Occupational Health

PurposeThe Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health prospective environmental epidemiologic cohort study addresses the impact of chemical and non-chemical environmental exposures on mother/child dyads in Suriname. The study determines associations between levels of environmental elements and toxicants in pregnant women, and birth outcomes and neurodevelopment in their children.ParticipantsPregnant women (N=1143) were enrolled from December 2016 to July 2019 from three regions of Suriname: Paramaribo (N=738), Nickerie (N=204) and the tropical rainforest interior (N=201). Infants (N=992) were enrolled at birth. Follow-up will take place until children are 48 months old.Findings to dateBiospecimens and questionnaire data on physiological and psychosocial health in pregnant women have been analysed. 39.1% had hair mercury (Hg) levels exceeding values considered safe by international standards. Median hair Hg concentrations in women from Paramaribo (N=522) were 0.64 µg/g hair (IQRs 0.36–1.09; range 0.00–7.12), from Nickerie (N=176) 0.73 µg/g (IQR 0.45–1.05; range 0.00–5.79) and the interior (N=178) 3.48 µg/g (IQR 1.92–7.39; range 0.38–18.20). 96.1% of women ate fish, respective consumption of the three most consumed carnivorous species, Hoplias aimara, Serrasalmus rhombeus and Cichla ocellaris, known to have high Hg levels, was 44.4%, 19.3% and 26.3%, respectively, and was greater among the interior subcohort. 89% frequently consumed the vegetable tannia, samples of which showed presence of worldwide banned pesticides. 24.9% of pregnant women had Edinburgh Depression Scale scores indicative of probable depression.Future plansFish consumption advisories are in development, especially relevant to interior women for whom fish consumption is likely to be the primary source of Hg exposure. Effects of potentially beneficial neuroprotective factors in fish that may counter neurotoxic effects of Hg are being examined. A pesticide literacy assessment in pregnant women is in progress. Neurodevelopmental assessments and telomere length measurements of the children to evaluate long-term effects of prenatal exposures to toxicant mixtures are ongoing.

scholarly journals Effect of the Information Support Robot on the Daily Activity of Older People Living Alone in Actual Living Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2498
Author(s):  
Jumpei Mizuno ◽  
Daisuke Saito ◽  
Ken Sadohara ◽  
Misato Nihei ◽  
Shinichi Ohnaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Older People ◽  
Daily Activity ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Sleep Patterns ◽  
High Cognitive Function ◽  
Environment Study ◽  
The Impact

Information support robots (ISRs) have the potential to assist older people living alone to have an independent life. However, the effects of ISRs on the daily activity, especially the sleep patterns, of older people have not been clarified; moreover, it is unclear whether the effects of ISRs depend on the levels of cognitive function. To investigate these effects, we introduced an ISR into the actual living environment and then quantified induced changes according to the levels of cognitive function. Older people who maintained their cognitive function demonstrated the following behavioral changes after using the ISR: faster wake-up times, reduced sleep duration, and increased amount of activity in the daytime (p < 0.05, r = 0.77; p < 0.05, r = 0.89, and p < 0.1, r = 0.70, respectively). The results suggest that the ISR is beneficial in supporting the independence of older people living alone since living alone is associated with disturbed sleep patterns and low physical activity. The impact of the ISR on daily activity was more remarkable in the subjects with high cognitive function than in those with low cognitive function. These findings suggest that cognitive function is useful information in the ISR adaptation process. The present study has more solid external validity than that of a controlled environment study since it was done in a personal residential space.

scholarly journals Risk of Nursing Home Use Among Older Americans: The Impact of Psychiatric History and Trajectories of Cognitive Function

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria T Brown ◽  
Miriam Mutambudzi
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Psychiatric Training ◽  
Psychiatric History ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Course Variables ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Mental illness and cognitive functioning may be independently associated with nursing home use. We investigated the strength of the association between baseline (1998) psychiatric history, 8-year cognitive function trajectories, and prospective incidence of nursing home use over a 10-year period while accounting for relevant covariates in U.S. adults aged 65 and older. We hypothesized that self-reported baseline history of psychiatric, emotional, or nervous problems would be associated with a greater risk of nursing home use and that cognition trajectories with the greatest decline would be associated with a subsequent higher risk of nursing home use. Methods We used 8 waves (1998–2016) of Health and Retirement Study data for adults aged 65 years and older. Latent class mixture modeling identified 4 distinct cognitive function trajectory classes (1998–2006): low-declining, medium-declining, medium-stable, and high-declining. Participants from the 1998 wave (N = 5,628) were classified into these 4 classes. Competing risks regression analysis modeled the subhazard ratio of nursing home use between 2006 and 2016 as a function of baseline psychiatric history and cognitive function trajectories. Results Psychiatric history was independently associated with greater risk of nursing home use (subhazard ratio [SHR] 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.51, p &lt; .01), net the effects of life course variables. Furthermore, “low-declining” (SHR 2.255, 95% CI 1.70–2.99, p &lt; .001) and “medium-declining” (2.103, 95% CI 1.69–2.61, p &lt; .001) trajectories predicted increased risk of nursing home use. Discussion Evidence of these associations can be used to educate policymakers and providers about the need for appropriate psychiatric training for staff in community-based and residential long-term care programs.

scholarly journals Risk of Low Birth Weight According to Household Composition in Brussels and Montreal: Do Income Support Policies Variations Explain the Differences Observed between Both Regions?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7936
Author(s):  
Mouctar Sow ◽  
Myriam De Spiegelaere ◽  
Marie-France Raynault
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Income Support ◽  
Welfare Benefits ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
Vulnerable Households ◽  
Welfare Families ◽  
The Impact

Variations in social policy between countries provide opportunities to assess the impact of these policies on health inequities. This study compares the risk of low birth weight in Brussels and Montreal, according to household composition, and discusses the impact of income support policies. For each context, we estimated the impact of income support policies on the extent of poverty of welfare recipients, using the model family method. Based on the differences found, we tested hypotheses on the association between low birth weight and household composition, using administrative data from the birth register and social security in each region. The extent of poverty of welfare families differs according to household composition. In Quebec, the combination of low welfare benefits and larger family allowances widens the gap between households with children and those without children. The risk of LBW also differs between these two contexts according to the number of children. Compared to children born into large welfare families, first-born children are more at risk in Montreal than in Brussels. In addition to the usual comparative studies on the topic, our study highlights the importance of an evaluative perspective that considers the combination of different types of income support measures to better identify the most vulnerable households.

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