PURPOSE: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a problem in the community. TB patients usually experience malnutrition, which is characterized by both decreased body weight (BW) and body fat percentage (BFP). Leptin, an important regulator of BW, also plays an important role in cellular immunity, which is integral to defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. We analyzed the effect of an anti-TB treatment regimen on the leptin level, BW, and BFP of children with TB. METHODS: The design of this study was a group interrupted time series. The subjects were children with probable TB according to clinical criteria based on an Indonesian scoring system adopted from the Consensus of Expert Panel. BW; BFP; energy intake; fat and protein intake; and leptin levels before, 2 months after (intensive phase), and 6 months after (continuation phase) anti-TB treatment, were measured. About 40 children, aged 5–14 years, participated in this study. RESULTS: The BW, BFP and leptin level increased from before treatment to after completion of the intensive phase and still showed an increased during the continuation phase: BW 18.65 kg, 19.75 kg, and 20.85 kg; BFP 18.3%, 19.5%, and 20.2%; and leptin level 1.9 mg/dL, 3.07 mg/dL, and 3.4 mg/dL, respectively (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Leptin level, BW, and BFP increased throughout the course of anti-TB treatment, compared with pretreatment values. Further research is needed to compare the results with data for healthy children.
Adipose Tissue* ; Body Weight ; Child* ; Consensus ; Energy Intake ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Interrupted Time Series Analysis ; Leptin* ; Malnutrition ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis* ; Weight Gain*

Introduction: Vitamin D levels are known to be related to prevalence of allergy and infection in children. However, vitamin D levels in infants’ umbilical cord blood need to be investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to determine association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and incidence of allergy and infection in children. Methods: A longitudinal study involving 38 full-term newborns was conducted. Serum 25(OH)D levels in infants’ umbilical cord and venous blood were measured at birth and six months, respectively. 25(OH)D levels were classified as insufficient (<20 ng/mL) and sufficient (>20 ng/mL). Parents filled out questionnaires about their children’s allergy and infection symptoms. Paired t-test was performed to compare the 25(OH)D levels at birth and at six months. Chisquared test was conducted to determine relationship between 25(OH)D levels and incidence of infection and allergy in children. Results: 25(OH)D levels in venous blood of 6-month-old infants were significantly higher than in umbilical cord blood (50.44±13.59 ng/mL vs. 20.70±6.60 ng/mL, p<0.001). In addition, 25(OH)D level insufficiency in umbilical cord blood was associated with infection (p<0.05). However, there was no incidence of allergy, and exclusive breastfeeding and sun exposure were not associated with vitamin D levels in 6-month-old infants. Conclusion: We conclude that 25(OH)D level insufficiency in umbilical cord blood was associated with incidence of infection in the first six months of life.