Breastfeeding Patterns of Primiparous Mothers in Hong Kong

Abstract: Background: An understanding of patterns of breastfeeding is necessary for the effective implementation of breastfeeding promotion and intervention programs. In Hong Kong, little current data have been gathered on women's breastfeeding rates. The objective of this study was to determine how patterns of breastfeeding, maternal demographics, and maternal employment affect continuation of breastfeeding in primiparous women in Hong Kong. Method: A longitudinal self‐report survey was used to collect data when first‐time mothers (n = 218) were in the hospital, at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postpartum, or until they weaned their infant. All data (self‐report survey, demographic data, and follow‐up telephone surveys) were collected in Cantonese and then translated into English. Data were analyzed by determining, first, the influence of individual variables on the length of breastfeeding using a simple Cox regression analysis, and second, by grouping variables according to time sequence and entering them into a Cox regression model in 4 sequential phases. Results: Factors that were significantly associated with continuation of breastfeeding were maternal age (HR = 0.97; p = 0.048); attendance at a prenatal breastfeeding class (HR = 0.69; p = 0.020); intended weeks of breastfeeding (HR = 0.97; p < 0.001); breastfeeding score in hospital (HR = 0.99; p = 0.009); and length of exclusive breastfeeding (HR = 0.93; p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained in the multiphase Cox regression analysis; only the breastfeeding score in hospital became marginally insignificant (p = 0.053) after adjusting for demographics, prenatal, and other immediate postpartum factors. Conclusions: Short periods of exclusive breastfeeding and early supplementation were common in this sample. Unlike previous research, maternal employment was not a statistically significant factor in length of continued breastfeeding. Study findings show that multiple factors influence continued breastfeeding in Hong Kong, suggesting further areas for investigation. Changes in practice may improve continued and exclusive breastfeeding rates. (BIRTH 30:3 September 2003)     

Zinc-deficiency and the development of malignant lymphoma in rats given a single intragastric dose of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea

Zinc-deficient rats that had received a single dose of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) intragastrically developed malignant lymphomas involving the liver, spleen, lung and kidney, as well as the usual epithelial tumours at the site of administration. Interestingly, the incidence of squamous-cell carcinoma of the pharynx was significantly higher in zinc-deficient rats than in control animals. Since MNU does not require metabolic activation, the development of the malignant lymphomas might be related to the generally depressed immunological state of zinc-deficient rats.     

Evaluation of Placental Morphology and Growth Factor Receptors in Women Receiving Antiepileptic Drugs: A Pilot Study

A direct teratogenic effect of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on the fetus has been postulated. However, there may also be a primary effect of AEDs on placenta, with secondary consequences to the fetus. Thirteen carefully medically controlled epileptic women were followed prenatally and perinatally. Placentas from all were investigated morphologically and in two with electronmicroscopy. In nine patients, the placentas were studied with respect to insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I and IGF-II) receptor activity. In this pilot study of a group of carefully medically controlled epileptic women with low levels of AEDs, the results did not differ from normal controls. The possibility of adverse effects of higher concentrations of AEDs cannot be excluded, however.     

The association of the dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) diet with blood pressure,glucose and lipid profiles in Malaysian and Philippines populations

Background and aim

Despite a growing body of evidence from Western populations on the health benefits of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets, their applicability in South East Asian settings is not clear. We examined cross-sectional associations between DASH diet and cardio-metabolic risk factors among 1837 Malaysian and 2898 Philippines participants in a multi-national cohort.

Psychobehavioral Responses and Likelihood of Receiving COVID-19 Vaccines during the Pandemic,Hong Kong

To access temporal changes in psychobehavioral responses to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, we conducted a 5-round (R1–R5) longitudinal population-based online survey in Hong Kong during January–September 2020. Most respondents reported wearing masks (R1 99.0% to R5 99.8%) and performing hand hygiene (R1 95.8% to R5 97.7%). Perceived COVID-19 severity decreased significantly, from 97.4% (R1) to 77.2% (R5), but perceived self-susceptibility remained high (87.2%–92.8%). Female sex and anxiety were associated with greater adoption of social distancing. Intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines decreased significantly (R4 48.7% to R5 37.6%). Greater anxiety, confidence in vaccine, and collective responsibility and weaker complacency were associated with higher tendency to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Although its generalizability should be assumed with caution, this study helps to formulate health communication strategies and foretells the initial low uptake rate of COVID-19 vaccines, suggesting that social distancing should be maintained in the medium term.     

Patient and Caregiver Considerations and Priorities When Selecting Hospitals for Complex Cancer Care

Annals of Surgical Oncology - Healthcare policies have focused on centralizing care to high-volume centers in an effort to optimize patient outcomes; however, little is known about patients’...     

The Utility of FDG PET/CT in IgG4-Related Disease with a Focus on Coronary Artery Involvement

Purpose

Our case series aims to study the growing use of FDG PET/CT in diagnostic evaluation and follow up of IgG4-RD with emphasis on patients presenting with coronary artery involvement.

Methods

We conducted a search on the nuclear medicine and rheumatology service databases and identified patients with histologically proven IgG4-RD with FDG PET/CT performed at the Singapore General Hospital. The radiological, clinical, and laboratory findings of these patients were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The series included ten male and two female patients. The commonest organ involved (five patients) was the pancreas. In three patients, coronary artery involvement manifested as soft tissue masses surrounding the arterial lumens. In these patients, histological diagnosis was established from alternative biopsy sites with abnormal metabolic activity on FDG PET/CT.Correlation between laboratory and metabolic imaging findings was not statistically significant in our series.Four patients had follow-up FDG PET/CT; three showed interval reduction in metabolic activity to baseline. One showed persistent abnormal metabolic activity before a rise in IgG4 levels. The metabolic imaging response was used to guide steroid dose.

Conclusions

FDG PET/CT is a useful tool in evaluation and follow-up of IgG4-RD, particularly in identifying alternative biopsy sites in patients who present with coronary artery involvement. Hypermetabolic coronary artery masses on FDG PET/CT should raise clinical suspicion of IgG4-RD. As the coronary artery masses may not show decrease in size after treatment, FDG PET/CT is also useful for metabolic response assessment.