Abstract Introduction: India carries the highest burden of anemia, particularly in children and women. Children at the growing stage are at the risk of nutrition depletion, hence anemia. Fewer data are available on the prevalence of anemia in growing children of age 10-14 years. It is important to intervene early and track this group. The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of anemia and its correlation to age, gender and body mass index in children of rural area of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Method: Total 600 children of 5-13 years age group were included in this study. A detailed questionnaire was used to collect the health details of the children and socioeconomic status of the parents. Hemoglobin was determined by the calibrated Hemoglobin analyzer. Body mass index values were calculated based on the measurements of weight and height of the children. Results: Prevalence of anemia as per WHO standards in these children was 57.67%. Results of the study population reveal that anemia in this region is more prevalent in girls (68%) when compared to boys (47.3%). However, association between body mass index and hemoglobin was not statistically significant in the present study. Conclusions: Our results suggest that increased prevalence of anemia in the children of rural area is associated with multiple nutrient deficiencies. Nutritional interventions, evaluation of predisposing risk factors and increased coverage of supplementation programme are recommended measures that can be adopted to control anemia in children.

Resumen Introducción: India soporta la mayor carga de anemia, especialmente en niños y mujeres. Hay menos datos disponibles sobre la prevalencia de anemia en niños en crecimiento de 10 a 14 años. Es importante intervenir temprano y rastrear a este grupo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue estimar la prevalencia de anemia y su correlación con la edad, sexo e índice de masa corporal en niños del área rural de Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Método: Se incluyó un total de 600 niños de entre 5 y 13 años. Se utilizó un cuestionario detallado para recopilar datos de salud de los niños y el estado socioeconómico de los padres. Se midió peso talla y se calculó el índice de masa corporal. Se midió la hemoglobina mediante analizador calibrado. Resultados: La prevalencia de anemia según los estándares de la OMS en estos niños fue de 57,67%. Los resultados revelan que la anemia en esta región es más prevalente en las niñas (68%) en comparación con los niños (47,3%). Sin embargo, la asociación entre el índice de masa corporal y la hemoglobina no fue estadísticamente significativa en el presente estudio. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados sugieren que el aumento de la prevalencia de anemia en los niños del área rural está asociado con múltiples deficiencias de nutrientes. Las intervenciones nutricionales, la evaluación de los factores de riesgo predisponentes y una mayor cobertura del programa de suplementación son medidas recomendadas que se pueden adoptar para controlar la anemia en los niños.

Bacopa monniera, da família Scrophulariaceae, e comumente denominada Brahmi, é bem conhecida na Índia por sua atividade no Sistema Nervoso Central, mas seu efeito neurofarmacológico não foi, ainda, explorado. No presente estudo, investigaram-se os efeitos antiepilépticos da planta. O extrato etanólico da Bacopa monniera foi testado quanto à atividade anticonvulsivante em ratos albinos, utilizando-se diferentes modelos de convulsão. O extrato etanólico das folhas produziu atividade anticonvulsivante significativa para todos os diferentes modelos estudados. O presente estudo mostra provável mecanismo de ação semelhante ao dos benzodiazepínicos (agonista do GABA). Assim sendo, esses resultados enfatizam a necessidade de diversificar, utilizando-se abordagens terapêuticas alternativas da medicina natural, em que uma planta facilmente disponível pode fornecer soluções para vários desafios terapêuticos, como o observado na ação anticonvulsivante do extrato etanólico de Bacopa monniera.

Bacopa monnieri (L), belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family and commonly known as Brahmi, is well known in India for its CNS activity but its neuropharmacological effect has not yet been explored. In the present study, the antiepileptic effects of the plant were investigated. The ethanolic extract of Bacopa monniera was tested for anticonvulsant activity in albino rats, using different convulsive models. The ethanolic extract of leaves produced significant anticonvulsant activity for all the different models studied. The present study shows a probable mechanism of action similar to that of benzodiazepines (GABA agonist). Thus, these results emphasize the need to diversify by using alternative therapeutic approaches pertaining to herbal medicine, where a single easily available plant may provide solutions to several therapeutic challenges, as observed in the anticonvulsant action of ethanolic extract of B. monniera.