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Biomedical subjects

L Vega-Franco

Publications and source records attributed to L Vega-Franco.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

[The intelligence quotient and malnutrition. Iron deficiency and the lead concentration as confusing variables].

This study gave us the opportunity to know the roles iron deficiency and the presence of lead in blood play, as confounding variables, in relation to the state of malnutrition and the intellect of those children. A sample of 169 school children were classified according to their state of nutrition, their condition in reference to serum iron and lead concentrations. In addition, their intelligence was evaluated. The results confirmed that those children with lower weights and heights registered lesser points of intelligence; in fact, iron deficiency cancels out the difference in favor of those taller and weighing more. Lead did not contribute as a confounding variable, but more than half of the children showed possible toxic levels of this metal.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗
PubMed1990

[Behavioral development and nerve conduction velocity during recovery from malnutrition].

OBJECTIVES: To research if the improvement in psychomotor development observed during the treatment of malnutrition, is related to favorable changes in the speed of nerve conduction and in the excretion of hydroxy-indole acetic acid (indole). DESIGNED OF THE STUDY: Prospective, of a descriptive type, includes the follow-up of children during the first month of treatment. APPLICATION: To better know the impact which malnutrition has on mental development. PATIENTS: Nine children, ranging from three to 15 months of age, gravely undernourished. INTERVENTION: The neurological development, the speed of nerve conduction and the excretion of indole were evaluated at 10 day intervals. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Using the Gesell technique in order to evaluate the development, the measurement of conduction through the medial and external popliteal sciatic nerves and indole excreted in 24 hours, a quantitative increase of all of these variables was seen in 24 hours. At the beginning the conduction speed was slow (less than 30 m/s) and the excretion of indole was very low (0.28 mg/24 h). After the tenth day these measurements returned to normal, although the development coefficient was found to still below at the end of the study (63.9 +/- 21.0). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous to the neurological deficit, there is a reduced speed of conduction, which returns to normal after the tenth day without a positive correlation with motor functions and development. Neither does the disponibility of serotonin (judged by the excretion of indole) correlate with the speed of conduction.

Child Development↗
PubMed1989

[Vitamin E concentration in children with proteino-energetic malnutrition].

Fourty eight malnourished infants were studied in regard to plasma vitamin E levels. The mean plasma vitamin E concentration was 0.41 mg/dL (+/- 0.20); the values ranged from less than 0.10 to 0.96. Only 4 children had an acceptable level of this vitamin (greater than 0.70 mg/dL). The possible interrelationship of vitamin E and red cell fragments in blood was investigated in 24 of the children. The data obtained do not suggest that a low plasmatic vitamin E level is not related to either, red cell fragmented or hemoglobin level.

Erythrocytes↗
PubMed1989

[Reasoning strategies in biomedical research].

Some modalities of thinking, in order to arise logical presumptions and steady conclusions in research, are presented. The paper aims to provide concepts with which the hypothesis are established, and the way to make inferences in research.

Logic↗
PubMed1989

[Iron deficiency in children: metabolic and pathogenic aspects. I].

Iron deficiency is the most commonly recognized form of nutritional deficiency in the world. In recent years, iron metabolism have became better defined and the physiopathology and pathogenesis of the disease have been better understood. In this report is reviewed some of this information.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Iron deficiency in children: clinical manifestations, therapy and prevention. II].

A better understanding of the physiopathological and pathogenic characteristics underlying iron deficiency, has allowed for a more precise diagnosis and the opportune treatment of this disease. On the other hand, it has also permitted the designing of more efficient preventive programs. This study includes what is known to date and the applicable experiences when confronted with this problem in children. Iron deficiency; clinical manifestations; treatment; prevention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[What the pediatrician should know about introducing infants to solid foods].

Since World War II, the introduction of solid foods to infants has been practiced at early ages. At the same time, knowledge about the physiology of the intestinal tract during the first year of life has been increasing: now the developmental immaturity of the intestine and the clinical consequences produced by the introduction of some foods at an early age are known. In this report this information is reviewed in order to rationalize the introduction of solid foods in babies.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

[Intellectual development and somatic growth in students suffering from malnutrition early in life].

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Intellectual Quotient (IQ) and the somatic growth of school children which were malnourished in early life. DESIGN: Ex-post-factum study of growth and IQ achievements, in children previously affected by malnutrition. SETTING: To get early indicators of growth and development handicaps in school age children, for stimulation programs after the disease. PATIENTS: Twenty eight school children, affected by malnutrition during the first two years of life, were selected from a Rehabilitation Center. INTERVENTION: The height and the IQ (WISC) of the children, were measured. Beside that, the following data were obtained from the records: the age, height, weight and developmental quotient (Gesell) during the malnutrition, the time spent in the treatment, and the body weight/height ratio at recovery and at the time of the study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In 20 of the children, the height was below the 10th percentile; 12 of them were below the 3d percentile. Only 8 had IQ's from 90 to 110; in 10 children the IQ was below 80. There was a positive correlation (p = 0.05) among the height/weight ratio at rehabilitation and at the moment of the study. The IQ, related to the variables studied, was not statistical significant (p less than or equal to 0.05).

Age Factors↗