Nutritional Deficiencies Throughout The Life Cycle Flashcards
Folic acid (FA) is a
water-soluble Vitamin B9, also
called Folate
Sources of folate
leafy green vegetables, fruits, dried beans, peas and nuts, liver
Folate deficiency
adults: anemia is a sign of advanced folate deficiency
Neural Tube Defects
birth defects of the brain and
spinal cord.
Normal embryo:
the closure of the neural tube occurs around the 30th day after fertilization.
Abnormal embryo:
The tube fails to close properly, a NTD will occur.
Anencephalyy is a type of neural tube defect (NTD)
The head end of the neural
tube fails to close
Complication of Anencephaly
absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp
babies
either stillborn or die shortly after birth
Spina Bifida-definition
Incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube results in an incompletely formed spinal cord during the first month of pregnancy
effect of spina bifida
◦ Nerve damage
◦ Paralysis of the legs
◦ Intellectual/learning disabilities
Policy on folate supplementation for
reducing NTDs: High risk women:
- Women or partner themselves have NTDs
- Had a child with NTDs
- Family history of NTDs
- Diabetic women who are on insulin therapy
- Women who received medication known to affect folate metabolism (anticonvulsive, infertility treatment, anti cancer treatment and vitamin A analogue used for treatment of acne)
folate supplementation for
reducing NTDs
High risk women: 5mg daily to be taken from one month prior to conception and to be continued for at least 12 weeks after conception
Low risk women: 800μg daily is recommended
Children: Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM)
most widespread form of malnutrition
acute PEM
- Children who are thin for their height
chronic PEM
Children who are short for their age
PEM includes the classifications of
kwashiorkor and marasmus.
– Kwashiorkor =
protein deficiency disease
Marasmus
= a deficiency disease caused by inadequate food intake
Worldwide, three nutrient deficiencies are of
particular concern
Stunting
Length/height-for-age (Mean ±SD)
At risk stunting (−2 to −1 SD)
Normal (>-1 to +2 SD)
Tall (> +2 SD)
Wasting
Weight-for-age (Mean ±SD)
Underweight (<-2 SD)
At risk underweight (−2 to −1 SD)
Normal (> −1 to +2 SD)
Overweight (> +2 SD)
Vitamin A deficiency
is the world’s most common cause
of preventable child blindness and vision impairment
Iron deficiency
y is associated with decreased cognitive
abilities and resistance to disease.
– Iodine deficiency
is the major preventable cause of
mental retardation worldwide.
Children: Megaloblastic Anemia
Due to folic acid and cobalamin deficiency
Signs and symptoms
- Pale or yellow skin
- Fast heart beat
- Shortness of breath
- Lack of energy, feeling tired
- Decreased appetite
- Irritability or fussiness
- Hair color changes
Pharmacotherapy: Vi
Vitamin B12 supplementation
(Cyanocobalamin)
Folate supplementation
Prevention of Osteomalacia
Eat foods high in vitamin D.
(salmon, mackerel, sardines) and egg yolks
* Foods fortified with vitamin D, such as cereal, bread, milk and yogurt
* Expose to sunlight
* Take supplements, if needed
Diagnosis and Tests
- low levels of vitamin D, but low levels of calcium or a significant drop in phosphate levels may also indicate osteomalacia
- X-rays
- A bone mineral density scan
- evaluating the amount of calcium and other minerals present in a patient’s bone segment
