Hypercholesterolemia in Thai primary school children: Relation to maternal and nutritional factors

Background: There is evidence to show that atherosclerosis can occur in young children and that elevated total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations are risk factors for atherosclerosis. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the influence of maternal and nutritional factors on blood cholesterol in primary school children.
Methods: One hundred and ninety-five population-based mother–child pairs (obese child–overweight mother pairs, n = 60; obese child–normal-weight mother pairs, n = 48; wasted child–overweight mother pairs, n = 37; normal-weight child–normal-weight mother pairs, n = 50), were enrolled in the study. Various anthropometric parameters were measured and serum lipids of subjects were further determined. Biological data and children's eating behavior were obtained from the mothers through interviews.
Results: Hypercholesterolemia was found in 64.6–65% of obese children, 24.3% of wasted children and in 56% of the normal-weight children; whereas the proportion of children in all groups who had normal blood cholesterol levels was in the lower range. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that mother's serum cholesterol (odds ratio [OR], 2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–4.78), child obesity defined by weight-for-height Z-score > +2SD (OR, 2.56; 95%CI: 1.33–4.98), and child's energy intake ≥75th percentile (OR, 2.59; 95%CI: 1.01–6.66) were the significant factors associated with hypercholesterolemia in children.
Conclusion: Hypercholesterolemia in school children is associated with familial factor, bodyweight and nutrient intake. Elevated blood cholesterol was also found in some of the normal-weight and wasted children. Effective family-based intervention programs are urgently needed to modify risk factors predisposing to coronary heart disease.     

Anatomical and Ultrasonography-Based Investigation to Localize the Arteries on the Central Forehead Region During the Glabellar Augmentation Procedure

Glabellar augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures but can entail severe complications caused by inadvertent intravascular injection of filler. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the arteries on the glabellar and central forehead regions. The aim of this study was to correlate the topography and location of the arteries in this area with anatomical landmarks to propose a safety guideline. Two methods were used to investigate the glabellar and central forehead areas: dissection of 19 Thai embalmed cadavers, and ultrasonographic examination of 14 healthy Thai volunteers. At the level of the glabellar point, the horizontal distances from the midline to the arteries were 4.7 mm (central artery), 7.8 mm (paracentral artery), and 14.7 and 19.2 mm (superficial and deep branches of supratrochlear artery). The depths from the skin of the arteries were 3.1 mm (central artery), 4.8 mm (paracentral artery), and 4.2 and 5.9 mm (superficial and deep branches of supratrochlear artery). The periosteal artery was detected in 71.1% as a branch of either the superior orbitoglabellar or the supratrochlear artery. It ran in the supraperiosteal layer for a short course and penetrated the periosteum above the superciliary ridge or above the medial eyebrow, adhering tightly to the bony surface. This study suggests a safe injection technique for the glabella based on a thorough knowledge of arterial distribution and topography and color Doppler ultrasonographic examination prior to the injection, which is recommended to minimize the risk of severe complications. Clin. Anat. 33:370–382, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Iron and zinc supplementation improved iron and zinc status, but not physical growth, of apparently healthy, breast-fed infants in rural communities of northeast Thailand

Iron deficiency is prevalent in children and infants worldwide. Zinc deficiency may be prevalent, but data are lacking. Both iron and zinc deficiency negatively affect growth and psychomotor development. Combined iron and zinc supplementation might be beneficial, but the potential interactions need to be verified. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial using 2 x 2 factorial design, 609 Thai infants aged 4-6 mo were supplemented daily with 10 mg of iron and/or 10 mg of zinc for 6 mo to investigate effects and interactions on micronutrient status and growth. Iron supplementation alone increased hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations more than iron and zinc combined. Anemia prevalence was significantly lower in infants receiving only iron than in infants receiving iron and zinc combined. Baseline iron deficiency was very low, and iron deficiency anemia was almost nil. After supplementation, prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia were significantly higher in infants receiving placebo and zinc than in those receiving iron or iron and zinc. Serum zinc was higher in infants receiving zinc (16.7 +/- 5.2 micromol/L), iron and zinc (12.1 +/- 3.8 micromol/L) or iron alone (11.5 +/- 2.5 micromol/L) than in the placebo group (9.8 +/- 1.9 micromol/L). Iron and zinc interacted to affect iron and zinc status, but not hemoglobin. Iron supplementation had a small but significant effect on ponderal growth, whereas zinc supplementation did not. To conclude, in Thai infants, iron supplementation improved hemoglobin, iron status, and ponderal growth, whereas zinc supplementation improved zinc status. Overall, for infants, combined iron and zinc supplementation is preferable to iron or zinc supplementation alone.     

Leptin, soluble leptin receptor, lipid profiles, and LEPR gene polymorphisms in Thai children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationships between leptin, soluble leptin receptor, lipid profiles, and LEPR gene polymorphisms in child and adolescent Thai subjects. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of Thai children and adolescents. SUBJECTS: 116 male and 65 female at risk for overweight/overweight child and adolescent Thai subjects, and 33 male and 62 female healthy child and adolescent Thai subjects (age: 5-19 years). MEASUREMENTS: Leptin levels, soluble leptin receptor levels, lipid profiles, LEPR gene polymorphisms. RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and leptin levels were observed in at risk for overweight/overweight group. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and soluble leptin receptor levels were significantly lower in the same group. Serum soluble leptin receptor levels were significantly negatively correlated with leptin. The at risk for overweight/overweight subjects with the Lys656Lys homozygous wild type LEPR gene had significantly higher cholesterol and LDL-C levels than those with Lys656Asn heterozygous and Asn656Asn homozygous mutant type. In contrast, subjects with Lys656Lys homozygous wild type had significantly lower leptin levels than those with Lys656Asn heterozygous and Asn656Asn homozygous mutant type. There was a statistically significant association between body mass index (BMI) and hyperleptinemia (odds ratio; OR = 2.49, p = 0.000) and females had more increased risk of hyperleptinemia than males (OR = 15.74, p = 0.004) in adolescent Thai subjects. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first report of Lys656Asn polymorphism of the LEPR gene associated with cholesterol, LDL-C, and leptin levels in Thai children and adolescents. Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the at risk for overweight/overweight. In contrast, there were significantly lower soluble leptin receptor levels in the same group. In addition, there was a statistically significant association between BMI, sex, and hyperleptinemia in adolescent Thai subjects.