Physiology

Abstract
Nutritional imbalance could cause detrimental effects to the pregnant woman by influencing pregnancy outcome and impair breast milk composition.  Fetal growth and development are strongly linked with maternal supply of essential nutrients but how the nutritional status of the mother influences her health, and that of the fetus is still not clear. Purpose: This study was conducted to determine micronutrient intake of pregnant Sudanese women in their third trimester. Focus was on micronutrients vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 folate, vitamin C, and minerals; sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.
Methods: Dietary intake of pregnant women (n=81) in their third trimester attending Omdurman Maternity Hospital, Khartoum State assessed by 3-days 24-hour dietary recall sheet. Diets consumed converted to nutrients using Nutri-survey software package. Database modified from other food composition tables. RDA values based on FAO/WHO/UNU reference values.
Results: Most of the pregnant mothers were from middle economic class and educated. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of the babies were normal whereas 12% had LBW. Results of the mean intakes of 13 nutrients (68.4%)  for all subjects were below RDA, The minimum intake recorded for vitamin A, which is <20% than RDA. Income and mothers education positively correlated with most of the nutrients. Age correlated very significantly with protein intake (r=0.77, P=0.00).
Conclusion: All subjects were at high risk of anaemia, VAD and zinc deficiency. Micronutrients status of the pregnant mothers is mainly influenced by dietary intake. Iron and zinc supplements, good nutrition, nutrition education and counseling are crucial for maternal and newborn health.

Keywords: Micronutrients, Pregnancy, Sudan, dietary intake.

Regular exposure to tobacco smoke at home causes airway inflammation and altered cytokine regulation; however, there is variation between individuals of different countries. To determine effects of passive smoking on plasma IL4, TNFá, and CRP in healthy male school-children in Khartoum. A total of 135 male school-pupils (69 passive smokers and 66 non-smokers) were selected randomly from three primary schools for boys in Khartoum. Information about smoking history was collected from each pupil and his parents using a questionnaire. Plasma CRP, IL4 and TNFá were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. Plasma IL4 and TNFá in the passive smokers (mean ± SEM) is at 2.92 ± 0.93 and 19.78 ± 4.67 pg/ml respectively; whereas in the non-smokers . It is at 0.45 ± 0.28 and 5.05 ± 1.54 pg/ml respectively. The difference between the two groups is statistically significant (p &lt;0.05). The mean plasma IL4 and TNFá were lowest with no exposure, higher with moderate exposure, and highest ...

Background: Tobacco smoke is one of the most important sources of air pollution in home. It has been linked to many respiratory complications in pupils; however, there is great variation in intensity of these complications between individuals. The aim of this study is to determine effects of passive smoking on health and academic performance of male school-pupils in Khartoum. Methods: A random sample of 69 passive smokers (cases) was selected from three &quot;Basic Education Schools&quot; for boys in Khartoum. Inclusion criteria were a school pupil, 9-14 years old, not active smoker, exposed regularly to cigarette smoke in home since birth. A control group of 66 non-smokers with no history of regular environmental tobacco smoke exposure was selected from the same schools. The two groups were matched according to age, weight, height, socioeconomic status and area of residence. Information about smoking history, school performance and past medical history was collected from each pupil...

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