Deficiency in infants

It is indicated in night blindness, vitamin A deficiency (in infants, in pregnancy, lactation, malabsorption syndrome), for prophylaxis of vitamin A deficiency, acne, ichthyosis, psoriasis, xerophthalmia, Bitot s spots (especially children). 

Anon. 1974, Fresh cows milk and iron deficiency in infants. Nutr. Rev. 31, 318-320. 

The intestine of newborn infants is sterile, therefore, vitamin K deficiency in infants is possible if lacking from the early diet. 

The primary symptom of a deficiency in infants is a hemorrhagic syndrome. 

Gordon, 11. H Nilowsky, H. M., and Cornblath, M. (1955). Studies of tocopherol deficiency in infants and children. Am. f. Dis. Ctiild. 90,669-681-Cotoda, T, Arita, M., Aral, H Inoue, K Yokota, T., Fukuo, Y Yazaki, Y, and Yamada, N. (1995). Adult-onset spinocerebellar dysfunction caused by a mutation in the gene for the n-tdcopherol-transfer protein. N. Engi. j. Med. 333, 1313-1318. 

Prohdase deficiency in infants is a rare genetic disorder that causes (1) skin ulceration, (2) mental retardation,... 

Cordano A. Clinical manifestations of nutritional copper deficiency in infants and children. Am J Clin Nutr 1998 67 1012S-6S. 

Severe hemolytic anemia associated with vitamin E deficiency in infants with cystic fibrosis. Implications for neonatal screening. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 1994 33 2-7. 

Sturgeon, P., and Brubacker, C., Copper deficiency in infants. A syndrome characterized by hypocupremia, iron deficiency anaemia and hypoproteinaemia.A.Af.A. J. Diseases Children 92, 254-265 (1956). 

In addition to its role in transporting oxygen, iron has many other roles in the human body. Iron is important for the function of various enzymes, and allows cells to use glucose to release energy. Certain areas of the brain contain significant amounts of iron, which indicates that this metal is needed for normal brain function. Some researchers theorize that iron deficiency in infants and young children can slow mental development. The liver is also rich in iron. In fact, this organ stores excess amounts of the metal. 

Deficiency Biotin deficiency is unusual on a normal diet. However, in the late 1970s biotin deficiency in infants was implicated as a possible cause of sudden infant death syndrome, ft was proposed that biotin deficiency nsstric ted gluconeogenesis causing fetal hypoglycaemia. 

Soy-based formulas were developed for infants perceived to be intolerant of cow-milk protein. The first soy formulas were commercially available in 1929 (Abt, 1965). These formulas were made with soy flour and were not well accepted by parents, who complained of loose, malodorous stools, diaper rash, and stained clothing. In the mid-1960s isolated soy protein was introduced into formulas. These formulas were much more like milk-based formulas in appearance and acceptance. However the preparation of isolated soy protein resulted in the elimination of most of the vitamin K in the soy, and a few cases of vitamin K deficiency were reported. The occurrence of nutrient deficiencies in infants fed milk-free formulas contributed to the development of federal regulations concerning the nutrient content of formulas (Fomon, 1993). Soy formulas now account for about 40 percent of formula sales in the United States. Some parents want to avoid cow-milk protein in the diet and thus wean directly to soy without any reported intolerance to cow-milk formulas. While formulas containing extensively hydrolyzed protein have long been available for infants with allergy to intact cow-milk protein, formulas with protein that is not as completely hydrolyzed have recently been introduced for normal-term infants. 

Fattal-Valevski, A., Kesler, A., Sela, B.A., Nitzan-Kaluski, D., Rotstein, M., Mesterman, R., Toledano-Alhadef, H., Stolovitch, C., Hoffmarm, C., Globus, O., and Eshel, G., 2005. Outbreak of life-threatening thiamine deficiency in infants in Israel caused by a defective soy-based formula. Pediatrics. 115 e233-238. 

Pongpanich, B., Srikrikkrich, N., Dhanamitta, S., and Valyasevi, A., 1974. Biochemical detection of thiamin deficiency in infants and children in Thailand. The American Journal of Clinincal Nutrition. 27 1399-1402. 

Press et al., 1974) to be effective in correcting essential fatty acid deficiency in humans. Sufficient oil was absorbed through the skin to reverse the pattern of essential fatty acid deficiency in serum phosphatidyl choline. Their data are plotted in Figure 16. At the end of 12 weeks of cutaneous application of sunflower seed oil, the triene tetraene ratio in serum phosphatidyl choline was in the order of 0.02. The phenomenon has been tested with rats (Bohles et ai., 1976) and found that sufficient oil was absorbed through the skin of rats to reverse the pattern of essential fatty acid deficiency. In our laboratory, an attempt to relieve essential fatty acid deficiency in infants was not successful. Cutaneous application of safflower seed oil at approximately the same dose level used by Press et al. (1974) caused no real change in triene tetraene ratio of serum phospholipids. Press et al. (1974) have e i ressed some doubt that the phenomenon they observed was effective over a longer period of time (private communication). 

It might be tentatively assumed that the requirement of rats might be met by 50 to 100 ng/g, whereas the first possible signs of chronic toxicity might be at 5 ug/g, a concentration span of 1 to 50. If these data can be validated for man in the future they suggest that our present lead intake from diet is adequate to prevent deficiencies and safe from chronic toxicity. Legislative and industrial efforts to produce "ultra-clean infant diets with lead concentrations below 50 ng/g could conceivably increase the risk of deficiencies in infants and should therefore not be undertaken. 

Patwardhan, V. N., and Kamel, W. W. (1967). Studies on Vitamin A Deficiency in Infants and Young Children in Jordan. Report to WHO, Geneva, Switzerland. 

Because animal proteins are in short supply in the developing countries, it has been estimated that 20 to 30% of the children in these countries suffer severe protein- calorie malnutrition, and that it may contribute to as much as 50% of the mortality for this group. Kwashiorkor and marasmus are common manifestations of protein and protein-calorie deficiencies in infants and children. Also, the ability of the human body to produce antibodies (substances that attack specific foreign bodies) is dependent upon an... 

Where consumption of animal products by mothers is low. In areas of the world where intakes of animal products by mothers is low, vitamin B-12 deficiency in infants may occur. When and where animal foods are in short supply, vitamin B-12 now makes it possible to rectify the above situations, and to use plant and cereal foods much more wisely in the human diet. 

Recognition of the symptoms of copper deficiency has been and will continue to be extremely important in maintaining the health and well-being of humans. Despite suggestions to the contrary, copper deficiency does occur in human beings. As early as 1931, Josephs (1931) detected copper deficiency in infants. More recently, the symptoms of copper deficiency have been observed in infants fed low-copper milk diets (Cordano et al, 1964), in premature infants (Al-Rashid and Spangler, 1971), in infants nourished by total parenteral alimentation (Karpel and Peden,... 

Vitamin D Vitamin D enhances the efficiency of the small intestine to absorb calcium and phosphorus from the diet and thus helps to maintain normal serum levels of these minerals. Vitamin D deficiency in infants and children results in inadequate mineralization of the skeleton, causing rickets, which is characterized by various bone deformations. The major source of vitamin D is its formation in the skin as a result of exposure to sunlight. Dietary sources include fortified foods, such as milk and cereals, and certain fish. Infant formula is fortified with vitamin D in many countries. Because human milk contains only low amounts of vitamin D, breast-fed infants who do not receive either supplemental vitamin D or adequate exposure to sunlight are at risk for developing vitamin D deficiency. Subclinical vitamin D deficiency can be assessed by measuring serum 25-hydroxyl-vitamin D deficiency occurs months... 

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