Seasonal and non-seasonal depression are prevalent conditions in visual impairment (VI). We assessed the effects and side effects of light therapy in persons with severe VI/blindness who experienced recurrent depressive symptoms in winter corresponding to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or subsyndromal SAD (sSAD).

We included 18 persons (11 with severe VI, 3 with light perception and 4 with no light perception) who met screening criteria for sSAD/SAD in a single-arm, assessor-blinded trial of 6 weeks light therapy. In the 12 persons who completed the 6 weeks of treatment, the post-treatment depression score was reduced (p < 0.001), and subjective wellbeing (p = 0.01) and sleep quality were improved (p = 0.03). In 6/12 participants (50%), the post-treatment depression score was below the cut-off set for remission. In four participants with VI, side effects (glare or transiently altered visual function) led to dropout or exclusion.

Light therapy was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms in persons with severe VI/blindness. Eye safety remains a concern in persons with residual sight.

To examine tracking of body size among children participating in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) from birth to 7 years of age and additionally to explore child and parental characteristics associated with maintenance of a high body size in this period of life.

Anthropometric data at birth and at 1, 3 and 7 years of age were collected by questionnaires addressed to the mother.

Participants were recruited from all over Norway during the period 1999–2008.

A total of 3771 children had complete anthropometric data at birth and at 1, 3 and 7 years of age; the sample includes children born between 2002 and 2004.

Cohen’s weighted kappa pointed to fair (0·36) to moderate (0·43) tracking of body size from birth to 7 years of age. Generalized estimating equations further indicated that children in the highest tertile of ponderal index at birth had nearly one unit higher BMI (kg/m2) at the age of 7 years compared with children in other tertiles of ponderal index at birth. Having parents with high BMI (≥25·0 kg/m2) increased the odds of having a stable high body size from birth to 7 years of age; moreover, girls had significantly higher odds compared with boys.

The study indicates fair to moderate tracking of body size from birth to 7 years of age. From a public health perspective, early prevention of childhood overweight and obesity seems to be especially important among children of parents having a high BMI.

To describe the epidemiology of chromosomal and non-chromosomal cases of atrioventricular septal defects in Europe.

Data were obtained from EUROCAT, a European network of population-based registries collecting data on congenital anomalies. Data from 13 registries for the period 2000–2008 were included.

There was a total of 993 cases of atrioventricular septal defects, with a total prevalence of 5.3 per 10,000 births (95% confidence interval 4.1 to 6.5). Of the total cases, 250 were isolated cardiac lesions, 583 were chromosomal cases, 79 had multiple anomalies, 58 had heterotaxia sequence, and 23 had a monogenic syndrome. The total prevalence of chromosomal cases was 3.1 per 10,000 (95% confidence interval 1.9 to 4.3), with a large variation between registers. Of the 993 cases, 639 cases were live births, 45 were stillbirths, and 309 were terminations of pregnancy owing to foetal anomaly. Among the groups, additional associated cardiac anomalies were most frequent in heterotaxia cases (38%) and least frequent in chromosomal cases (8%). Coarctation of the aorta was the most common associated cardiac defect. The 1-week survival rate for live births was 94%.

Of all cases, three-quarters were associated with other anomalies, both chromosomal and non-chromosomal. For infants with atrioventricular septal defects and no chromosomal anomalies, cardiac defects were often more complex compared with infants with atrioventricular septal defects and a chromosomal anomaly. Clinical outcomes for atrioventricular septal defects varied between regions. The proportion of termination of pregnancy for foetal anomaly was higher for cases with multiple anomalies, chromosomal anomalies, and heterotaxia sequence.

To describe how a risk analysis can be applied to food fortification, with emphasis on voluntary fortification and intake levels that might exceed usual dietary levels.

Use of the risk analysis model as a frame to classify nutrients according to the risk of exceeding upper safe intake levels. Furthermore, to apply the model when discussing possible consequences of liberal fortification practices on eating behaviour and disease patterns.

The discussion on food fortification presently going on internationally.

Micronutrients can be classified according to their safety margin, i.e. the size of the interval between the recommended intake and the upper safe level of intake. We suggest that nutrients with a small safety margin, i.e. for which the upper safe level is less than five times the recommended intake, be placed in a category A and should be handled with care (retinol, vitamin D, niacin, folate and all minerals). Category B comprises nutrients with an intermediate safety margin (vitamins E, B6, B12 and C), while nutrients that according to present knowledge are harmless even at 100 times the recommendation (vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and biotin) are categorised as C.

The risk analysis model is a useful tool when assessing the risk of both too low and excess intakes of single micronutrients, but can also be applied to analyse the consequences of fortification practices on eating behaviour and disease patterns. Liberal fortification regulations may, for example, distort the conception of what is healthy food, and drive consumption towards a more unhealthy diet, contributing to the plague of overweight and concomitant increased risk of degenerative diseases.

The impact of fortification practices on the total eating pattern of a population should become an integrated part of the discussions and regulations connected to the issue.