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The
Front Line
International
nutrition and neonatal education
by
Michael Speer, MD
Over
the past 5 years, Baylor College of Medicine nutrition experts
have traveled to as many as 14 other nations to combat
malnutrition and to enhance neonatal education globally.
Through research studies and symposia, the Baylor multidisciplinary
team educates nursery staff on medical, nursing, and nutritional
management of at-risk infants and children and brings new
findings home to further benefit children in the U.S.
Research dedicated to expanding scientific knowledge about
pediatric micronutrient deficiencies brought the Baylor
nutrition team
to such countries as Panama, Peru, Pakistan, Mexico, and Botswana.
That team, led by Dr. Steven Abrams, Professor of Pediatrics
at Baylor, has collaborated with several organizations, among
them the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Pan-American
Health Organization (PAHO).
“
Our research focuses on the metabolism of nutritionally important
minerals including calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron,” said
Dr. Abrams. “We are especially interested in the optimal
forms and amount of iron and zinc to provide to small children,
especially those who live in developing countries where iron
deficiency anemia and zinc deficiency are extremely common.”
In Panama, a delegation launched a hospital nutrition clinic
and facilitated a union of government and private groups
to fight undernourishment in the region. The delegation
included
the team
from Baylor and Texas Children’s Hospital—Dr. Abrams,
a neonatal dietitian, a neonatal nurse and several medical students.
The team also has presented a NICU education lecture series and
hands-on bedside rounds to clinicians in Peru and Panama. Return
visits have deepened the understanding of clinical and educational
needs and increased the team’s focus.
This
international outreach and research is made possible by collaboration
among Baylor College of Medicine, Texas
Children’s
Hospital, and the USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research
Center (CNRC). For more information about the work being
conducted in Dr. Abrams’ lab, see his web
site.
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