Browsing by Author "Athukorala, T.M.S."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Evaluation of effectiveness of iron-folate supplementation and anthelmintic therapy against aneamia in pregnancy - a study in the plantation sector of Sri Lanka
(American Society of Clinical Nutrition, 1994) Athukorala, T.M.S.; de Silva, L.D.R.; Dechering, W.H.J.C.; Dissanayake, T.S.
Intervention measures against anemia available to plantation workers during pregnancy include fortified food supplements (thriposha) and iron-folate supplements containing 60 mg elemental Fe. The effectiveness of these intervention measures was studied in 195 subjects whose iron and nutritional status were assessed at < 24 and > 32 wk of gestation. Taking thriposha conferred no significant benefit on maternal nutritional status, probably because sufficient amounts were not consumed. An increase in the duration of iron-folate supplementation to > 17 wk caused a significant positive change (P < 0.01) in hemoglobin, whereas an increase in the dose frequency had no significant benefit. Anthelminthic therapy in addition to iron-folate supplements caused a significant positive change in hemoglobin (P < 0.001) and serum ferritin (P < 0.005) compared with no supplementation. Thus, anthelminthic therapy significantly increased the beneficial effects of iron supplementation on hemoglobin concentration and iron status.
Lipid profiles, anthropometry and dietary habits of adolescent school boys in Sri Lanka
(HEC Press, Australia, 1997) Athukorala, T.M.S.; de Silva, L.D.R.; Jayasinghe, K.S.A.
Serum lipid profiles, anthropometric parameters, dietary habits and smoking practice were determined in 637 adolescent school boys in the 10th to 13th year of school (mean age 16.7 ± 1.3 years), to determine the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in later life. They all attended schools in Colombo, the capital city (n=416), and two other cities, Negombo and Kurunegala. Seven percent of the subjects had body mass index (BMI) values above a reference range (for age 14-16, > 23.5 kg/m2; older than 16 years > 24.5 kg/m2). The mean serum total cholesterol concentration was within the reference range (158.9± 27.2 mg/dL: 4.11± 0.70 mmol/L), but 16.5% had values >185 mg/dL. The percentages of subjects with high LDL (low density lipoprotein)cholesterol (>110 mg/dL) and apolipoprotein B (>85 mg/dL) concentrations were 21.9 % and 23.0% respectively, while low HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol (<35 mg/dL) levels were noted in 27.3% of subjects. A significant (p<0.001) positive association was noted between serum total cholesterol concentration and BMI. There was no significant difference in the mean BMI or total cholesterol levels of subjects from the three areas in the age group 15-16.9 years. However, in the age group 17-18.9 years, subjects in the Kurunegala area had a lower prevalence of risk factors ie. significantly lower BMI and serum total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations than those in other areas. Overall, smoking prevalence was 4.5%, and higher in Colombo than in Negombo and Kurunegala. Further, the mean intake of cholesterol was significantly lower and the fibre intake was higher among subjects in Kurunegala, than those in other areas. Thirty two percent of subjects had a family history of coronary artery disease, hypertension or diabetes and these subjects had significantly higher BMI values than those who did not have a family history of the above diseases, but their lipid patterns were similar. Thus high BMI was a major factor leading to hypercholesterolaemi.
Micronutrient status of plantation workers in Sri Lanka during pregnancy and post partum
(Wiley-Blackwell Pub. Asia, 1996) de Silva, L.D.R.; Athukorala, T.M.S.
Iron, zinc and vitamin A status was assessed in 309 plantation workers during pregnancy and in a sub-sample of 108 subjects at 20 to 36 weeks postpartum and the birth weights of their newborn were noted. A significant positive correlation was noted between haemoglobin concentration at 10-26 weeks of gestation of anaemic mothers (n = 180) and birth weights of their new born. Depleted iron stores (serum ferritin < 12 micrograms/l) were noted in 33.3% of subjects at 10-26 weeks of gestation. There was no significant change in serum ferritin concentration at > 32 weeks of gestation. Iron deficiency persisted at 20-36 weeks postpartum. Marginal vitamin A deficiency was also noted, as, 46.2% and 15.6% of the subjects respectively, had low serum vitamin A levels in pregnancy and postpartum. Low serum zinc levels were noted only in pregnancy. Iron supplementation during pregnancy was only effective in preventing further deterioration in iron status and it should be continued for about 12 weeks after delivery