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Biomedical subjects

L A Brakohiapa

Publications and source records attributed to L A Brakohiapa.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Carbohydrate and electrolyte content of some home-available fluids used for oral rehydration in Ghana.

Coconut milk and kenkey water (a maize gruel) which are traditionally used for the treatment of diarrhoea in Ghana, were analysed to ascertain their suitability for use in rehydration. The pH, carbohydrate, and electrolyte levels of the food fluids were compared to the recommended UNICEF/WHO ORS to ascertain if these are within physiologically acceptable ranges for the treatment and prevention of dehydration in children with diarrhoea. The carbohydrate and electrolyte levels of kenkey water were found to be comparable to UNICEF/WHO ORS and is suitable for use in rehydration. Coconut milk has the advantages of being fresh, sterile and readily available in most Ghanaian communities. However, use of coconut milk for rehydration cannot be recommended on the basis of its glucose and electrolyte composition.

Carbohydrates↗
PubMed1991

Infant feeding and growth in rural Ghana: is the use of the traditional fermented porridge a case for early supplementation?

Thirty infants were studied longitudinally for 6 months. Breast milk and intakes of supplements were measured at the first and third months post-partum. Mode of feeding, morbidity, and weights were recorded monthly. Variations in growth were found to be related to levels of breast milk intakes, and timely and effective supplementation with the traditional weaning porridge prepared from fermented maize dough. No diarrhoeal incidence was recorded before 3 months. It is suggested that coupled with true demand breast feeding, the traditional weaning porridge could adequately support growth if introduced on time, even when breast milk intakes are less than optimal.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1988

Does prolonged breastfeeding adversely affect a child's nutritional status?

In 202 children who visited a children's hospital in the city of Accra, Ghana, breastfeeding beyond the age of 19 months was found to be associated with malnutrition. The effect of weaning on food intake was then studied in 15 breastfed malnourished children in a rural community. Before weaning (complete cessation of breast-feeding) protein and energy intakes of all the malnourished children were about half those of 5 normal children. 10 of the malnourished children were weaned, and their intakes rose to the levels of the normal children; the 5 who continued breastfeeding maintained their low intakes. These results indicate that prolonged breastfeeding can reduce total food intake and thus predispose to malnutrition. They also suggest that in Ghana and other developing countries the proper weaning age may be about 18 months.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Blood glucose responses to mixed Ghanaian diets in healthy adult males.

The blood glucose responses to five Ghanaian carbohydrate sources, unripe plantain, Ga kenkey, Gari, rice and yam, as part of mixed meals were determined in ten healthy young nondiabetic adult males aged 25.6 +/- 2.6 years with a BMI of 20.9 +/- 2.4 kg/m2. Ga kenkey showed the least changes in blood glucose responses as measured by the glycemic index. Yam exhibited the least favourable blood glucose responses. Significant difference were observed between the glycemic indices of kenkey and yam; Kenkey and gari (p < 0.01); rice and yam, plantain and yam (p < 0.05). Further studies of these carbohydrate sources are required in diabetics to ascertain their suitability as carbohydrate sources in Ghanaian diabetics.

Adult↗