ascorbic-acid and Schistosomiasis

Iron in food is classified as belonging to the haem pool, the nonhaem pool, and extraneous sources. Haem iron is derived from vegetable and animal sources with varying bioavailability. Hookworm infestation of the intestinal tract affects 450 million people in the tropics. Schistosoma mansoni caused blood loss in 7 Egyptian patients of 7.5- 25.9 ml/day which is equivalent to a daily loss of iron of .6-7.3 mg daily urinary loss of iron in 9 Egyptian patients. Trichuris trichiura infestation by whipworm is widespread in children with blood loss of 5 ml/day/worm. The etiology of anemia in children besides iron deficiency includes malaria, bacterial or viral infections, folate deficiency and sickle-cell disease. Severe infections cause profound iron-deficiency anemia in children in central American and Malaysia. Plasmodium falciparum malaria-induced anaemia in tropical Africa lowers the mean haemoglobin concentration in the population by 2 g/dI, causing profound anaemia in some. The increased risk of premature delivery, low birthweight, fetal abnormalities, and fetal death is directly related to the degree of maternal anemia. Perinatal mortality was reduced from 38 to 4% in treated anemic mothers. Mental performance was significantly lower in anemic school children and improved after they received iron. Supplements of iron, soy-protein, calcium, and vitamins given to villagers with widespread malnutrition, iron deficiency, and hookworm infestation in Colombia reduced enteric infections in children. Severe iron-deficiency anemia was treated in adults in northern Nigeria by daily in Ferastral 10 ml, which is equivalent to 500 mg of iron per day. Choloroquine, folic acid, rephenium hydroxynaphthoate, and tetrachlorethylene treat adults with severe iron deficiency from hookworm infestation in rural tropical Africa. Blood transfusion is indicated if the patient is dying of anaemia or is pregnant with a haemoglobin concentration 6 gm/dl. In South East Asia, mg per day prevented iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Field-trials on nutritional iron deficiency include an acidified milk formula plus ferrous sulphate for infants; biscuits with added bovine hemoglobin for children in Chile; sugar plus sodium ferric EDTA in Guatemala; salt with ferric orthophosphate and sodium acid sulphate in India; and Salt with ferrous sulphate plus sodium hexametaphosphate.

Topics: Absorption; Adult; Africa; Anemia, Hypochromic; Ascorbic Acid; Biological Availability; Celiac Disease; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hookworm Infections; Humans; India; Iron; Liver; Male; Meat; Nigeria; Nutrition Disorders; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Schistosomiasis; Socioeconomic Factors; Trichuriasis; Tropical Medicine

The authors studied the variations of ascorbic acid levels in white blood cells and plasma by Denson-Bowers' method in 20 normal individuals (Group I) and 36 schistosoma patients with hepatosplenic disease with and without gastrointestinal haemorrhage (Groups II and III, including 18 patients each). Having submitted the results to statistical analysis with a probability rate of 95%, the authors concluded that, while no significant difference could be seen between Groups I, II and III in ascorbic acid levels in white blood cells, there was a significant decrease in plasma ascorbic acid levels of Group III as compared with Groups I and II.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Brazil; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hepatomegaly; Humans; Leukocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis; Splenomegaly

The study deals with investigations on anaemia due to iron or protein calorie deficiency and that associating acute glomerulonephritis, nephrosis and schistosoma haematobium. The rate of intestinal iron absorption using an oral dose of ferrous sulphate equivalent to 4 mg clemental iron/kg body weight was studied. The supplementing action of ascorbic acid in iron absorption in these cases was also investigated. The rate of intestinal iron absorption was enhanced in pure iron deficiency anaemia, acute glomerulonephritis and schistosoma haematobium, retarded in kwashiorkor, marasmus and nephrosis. Ascorbic acid markedly promoted iron absorption in normal subjects but slightly in pure iron deficiency anaemia. It improved iron absorption in acute glomerulonephritis and schistosoma haematobium but not in kwashiorkor, marasmus and nephrotic cases. It is concluded that ascorbic acid supplementation is of certain beneficial effect in alleviating the state of anaemia when intestinal iron absorption is not impaired. Also, it may prove to be of value to be given along with protein rehabilitation in anaemias associating protein deficiency.

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Hypochromic; Ascorbic Acid; Child, Preschool; Egypt; Female; Glomerulonephritis; Humans; Infant; Intestinal Absorption; Iron; Male; Protein-Energy Malnutrition; Schistosomiasis

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Aspirin; Asthma; Calcium; Citrates; Coronary Disease; Depression, Chemical; Diabetes Mellitus; Duodenal Ulcer; Dwarfism, Pituitary; Emphysema; Facial Paralysis; Gluconates; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Hypertension; Hyperthyroidism; Kidney Calculi; Liver Diseases, Parasitic; Magnesium; Oxalates; Phosphates; Pyridoxine; Schistosomiasis; Stimulation, Chemical; Terpenes; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Topics: Antimony; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Potassium; Schistosomiasis; Vitamins