Plasma micronutrients are associated with dietary intake and environmental tobacco smoke exposure in a paediatric population.
BACKGROUND
While adult populations have been well described in terms of nutritional status, such as the concentration of nutrient biomarkers, little work has been done in healthy paediatric populations.


OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this analysis was to explore the determinants of plasma micronutrients in a group of healthy infants and children.


METHODS
The Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY) has enrolled 1433 newborns at increased risk for type 1 diabetes in Denver, Colorado. A representative random sample of 257 children from the DAISY cohort between the ages of 9 months and 8 years with a total of 815 clinic visits over time was used in this analysis. Annual dietary intake was assessed over time with Willett food-frequency questionnaires that were validated in this population. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was assessed using a validated survey. Plasma samples were tested for vitamins, carotenoids and total lipids. Predictors of plasma micronutrients were evaluated using mixed models for longitudinal data, while adjusting for age, human leukocyte antigen genotype, type 1 diabetes family history and other potential confounders and covariates.


RESULTS
Increased micronutrient intake was associated with increased levels of their respective plasma nutrient, with the exception of gamma-tocopherol. Independent of dietary intake, levels of alpha- and beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin were significantly lower, and gamma-tocopherol was significantly higher, in children who were exposed to ETS.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary intake predicts plasma micronutrient levels. Exposure to ETS potentially could have negative health effects in this young population.
Brady
Heather
H
Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, University of Colorado Denver and Health Sciences Center (UCDHSC), and Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
Lamb
Molly M
MM
Sokol
Ronald J
RJ
Ross
Colleen A
CA
Seifert
Jennifer A
JA
Rewers
Marian J
MJ
Norris
Jill M
JM
D000367:Age Factors; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; D018977:Micronutrients; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D014815:Vitamins; D002338:Carotenoids