Two treatment regimens are biologically equivalent in terms of hematological response. Two high doses of intramuscular iron can be a good substitute to meet iron requirement in pregnancy.

The usefulness of maternal anthropometric parameters i.e. maternal weight (MWt), maternal height (MHt), maternal mid-arm circumference (MMAC) and maternal body mass index (MBMI) as predictors of low birth weight (LBW) was studied in 395 singleton pregnancies. The maternal anthropometric parameters were measured in the first trimester of pregnancy and were plotted against the birth weight of the newborns. Significant positive correlations were observed among MWt and birth weight (r=0.38), MHt and birth weight (r=0.25), MMAC and birth weight (r=0.30) and MBMI and birth weight (r=0.30). The most sensitive being MWt (t=7.796), followed by MMAC (t=5.759), MHt (t=4.706) and MBMI (t=5.89). For prediction of LBW, the critical limits of MWt, MHt, MMAC and MBMI were 45 kg, 152 cm, 22.5 cm, 20 kg/m2 respectively. From these observations, the use of colour-coded weighing machines, height rods and tapes may be devised for use by peripheral health workers and traditional birth attendants for detection of mothers at risk of delivering low birth weight babies (Table 5). Mothers who have anthropometric parameters in the 'red zone' are at risk of delivery LBW infants.

The intramuscular administration of 3 doses of 250 mg Fe at monthly intervals appears to have good compliance and efficacy and may be used in women who cannot tolerate oral administration of iron. However, intramuscular administration of iron is appropriate only in hospital settings well equipped to treat anaphylactic crises.

Background:Parkinson's disease (PD) patients are at a higher risk of malnutrition with the overall prevalence estimated to be 3%–60%, but there are limited data in India regarding nutritional assessment of PD.Aim:This study aims to assess nutritional status of PD patients and correlate the disease factors and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) symptoms with nutritional status.Materials and Methods:The PD cohort was assessed for demographic factors, nutritional assessment was done by Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) Scale, and GI symptoms were assessed by validated scales. Age- and gender-matched cohort controls were randomly selected to correlate the GIT symptoms influencing nutritional status. The study population was divided into two groups according to the MNA score; Group I malnourished/at risk of malnutrition (score <23.5) or Group II normal nutrition (>23.5). The two subgroups were then compared.Results:We assessed 75 patients of PD and 35 age- and gender-matched controls. According to anthropometric criteria, 23% of the PD population was underweight, and according to biochemical assessment, 17.3% had hypoalbuminemia along with anemia. According to MNA scale, 12% were malnourished and 45.3% were at risk of malnutrition. Hence, a total of 57.3% patients in Group I (with abnormal nutrition) as compared to 14% of the controls were at risk of malnutrition while none was found to be malnourished. In our study, GIT symptoms, such as sialorrhea and dysphagia was reported by 29.3% each and constipation by 41.3% patients. While comparing GI symptoms within the two MNA groups, there was statistically significant relationship of all GI manifestations, sialorrhea (P = 0.041), dysphagia (P = 0.00081), and constipation (P = 0.0042) with malnutrition. There was no statistical significant difference between groups for age (P = 0.54), gender (P = 0.903), and duration of disease (P = 0.743).Conclusions:The data suggest that about 45% of PD patients are at risk of malnourishment. MNA Score is a validated nutritional assessment tool and anthropometric or biochemical measures alone cannot identify all the malnourished population. PD patients at risk of malnutrition or malnourished do have symptoms of dysphagia, sialorrhea, and constipation as compared to PD patients with normal nutrition.

Aims: To determine the haematological effects of iron supplementation in predominantly breast fed term low birth weight (LBW) infants. Methods: Seventy three healthy term LBW (,2500 g), predominantly breast fed infants aged 50-80 days were randomised into two groups to receive either iron (3 mg/kg/day) (iron supplemented (IS) group; n = 37) or placebo drops (placebo (P) group; n = 36). Haematological parameters and anthropometry were measured at baseline and repeated after four and eight weeks. Results: A total of 62 subjects (32 in the IS group and 30 in the P group) came for the first follow up and 26 (13 in the IS group and 13 in the P group) reported for the second visit. There were no significant differences in serum ferritin and anthropometry. However, covariates (infant age, haemoglobin, and ferritin, and maternal haemoglobin) adjusted haemoglobin change was significantly higher in the IS group after four weeks (4.6 g/l; 95% CI 0.5 to 8.8) and eight weeks (8.6 g/l; 95% CI 1.8 to 15.4). Conclusions: Iron supplementation in a therapeutic dose in term breast fed LBW infants results in a marginal increase in haemoglobin. The functional benefit of this haemoglobin rise requires further evaluation.