Feeding practice of infants and their correlates in urban areas of Beijing, China

BACKGROUND: Optimal feeding practice in the first year of life is crucial for the survival and health of infants, and has long-term consequences in later life. However, non-optimal feeding practices exist widely. The present study aims to explore various constraints to optimal feeding practices in the first year of life of infants in urban areas of Beijing, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban areas of Beijing from 4 July to 20 August, 1998. Two hundred and fifty-one mothers of infants aged 6-12 months were chosen from six child health centers in three different urban districts in Beijing. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding feeding practices and potentially related factors. RESULTS: Feeding practice for most of the infants was in accordance with the national and international recommendations. However, the rate of incidence of exclusive breast-feeding at 3 months of age was lower than that recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) (55.8%), and the introduction of solid/semisolid food before 4 months of age was found in approximately 19.3% of the infants. Cow's milk was given to 21.2% of infants from 6 months of age as the sole source of milk or as a supplement. Maternal education level (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.42-4.19, P < 0.05), employment (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.13-3.74, P < 0.05) and antenatal nonexclusive breast-feeding plans (OR = 4.10, 95% CI: 2.24-7.50, P < 0.001) were found to be correlated to inappropriate feeding practices. CONCLUSIONS: The feeding practices for most of the urban infants was found to be in accordance with the Chinese government and WHO recommendations; however, non-optimal feeding practices presenting as the early cessation of breast-feeding and the introduction of solid/semisolid foods existed. Information regarding optimal feeding practices should be disseminated to mothers and medical professionals in China, to ensure optimal infant health.     

加速创建爱婴医院进程 积极推广母乳喂养

为加速创建爱婴医院进程,昆明市妇幼保健院率先在全省开展了创建爱婴医院工作。他们大胆改革产科制度,实行母婴同室,建立健全了各项规章制度,实行母乳喂养系列化服务。     

The influence of reported paternal attitudes on the decision to breast-feed

Objective: To identify factors that influence a woman's decision to breast-feed.
Methodology: Five hundred and fifty-six women were recruited from the maternity wards of two Perth hospitals. Data were collected from a self-administered questionnaire completed by participants prior to discharge. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors influencing the initiation of breast-feeding.
Results: At discharge from hospital 83.8% of women were breast-feeding, including 6% who were giving complementary formula feeds. After controlling for potentially confounding demographic and biomedical factors, the father's reported preference for breast-feeding was found to be the most important factor influencing a woman's decision to breast-feed (OR 10.18).
Conclusion: Fathers participate in and influence the choice of infant feeding method and should be included in breast-feeding discussions.     

早吸吮勤吸吮对早泌乳的影响

为了探讨产后半小时内早吸吮、勤吸吮对早泌乳的影响。选择１１６例足月妊娠孕产妇，分别在第二产程及产后半小时抽取母亲静脉血，采用放射免疫双抗法（ＤＡＲＩＡ）测定胎儿娩出前、吸吮后和未吸吮时，母亲血清垂体催乳素（ＰＲＬ）值。结果表明：第二产程时两组血清ＰＲＬ值无显著差异。而产后半小时早吸吮的母亲体内血清中ＰＲＬ水平明显高于未吸吮的血清ＰＲＬ值。早吸吮的母亲泌乳早。     

Experience with NORPLANT® in Egypt

Experience with the contraceptive NORPLANT in Egypt dates back to early 1980 when the first multicentre trial was initiated. To date, more than 3000 women have received this contraceptive at the Assiut University Family Clinic alone. Analysis of the overall experience in this clinic has indicated a 5-year cumulative continuation rate of 51 and a pregnancy rate of 1.8 per 100 women.

Clinical pharmacology studies pertaining to the safety of NORPLANT in our community have indicated no deleterious effect on the lipid profile, liver functions and blood coagulation system. Two studies conducted in Egypt have indicated that the initiation of NORPLANT use shortly after delivery does not have any unfavourable effect on lactational performance, or on physical or psychomotor development of the breast-fed infants. This is particularly important in Arab and Moslem cultures where prolonged breast-feeding is emphasized.

A study utilizing focus-group discussion to assess users' attitudes to NORPLANT has indicated the need to improve the informational/educational package given in the service by emphasizing certain cultural considerations.

On the whole, this first implant method has proven to be safe and acceptable in Egypt, where there is a special need for long-term methods for contraception, particularly as sterilization is not socially acceptable.     

Interactions between breast-feeding, specific parental atopy, and sex on development of asthma and atopy

BACKGROUND: The influence of breast-feeding on the risk of developing atopy and asthma remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To examine asthma and atopy outcomes by sex, reported specific parental history of atopy, and breast-feeding. METHODS: In a birth cohort, we examined childhood asthma and atopy (positive skin prick tests) by sex and breast-feeding in relation to maternal and paternal atopy. Interactions were explored in logistic regression models. RESULTS: For boys, breast-feeding (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% CI, 0.93-2.87; P = .09) and maternal atopy (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 0.93-4.08; P = .08) were each associated with atopy at age 13 years. Breast-feeding increased the risk for atopy among boys with paternal atopy (OR, 7.39; 95% CI, 2.21-24.66) compared with non-breast-fed boys with paternal atopy, but did not significantly further increase risk among subjects with maternal atopy. For girls, breast-feeding (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.41-1.31) and maternal and paternal atopy were not independent risk factors for atopy at age 13 years. However, breast-feeding increased the risk for atopy in girls with maternal atopy (OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.20-8.14) compared with non-breast-fed girls with maternal atopy. There was no such effect among subjects with paternal atopy. Results for the outcome of asthma followed a similar pattern. CONCLUSION: The influence of breast-feeding on development of atopy and asthma differs by sex and by maternal and paternal atopy, and is most significant among subjects at lower baseline risk. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Analyses of environmental risk factors for asthma and atopy should be stratified by specific parental atopy and sex.     

Special Considerations for Prophylaxis for and Treatment of Anthrax in Pregnant and Postpartum Women

In August 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, convened a meeting of national subject matter experts to review key clinical elements of anthrax prevention and treatment for pregnant, postpartum, and lactating (P/PP/L) women. National experts in infectious disease, obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine, neonatology, pediatrics, and pharmacy attended the meeting, as did representatives from professional organizations and national, federal, state, and local agencies. The meeting addressed general principles of prevention and treatment for P/PP/L women, vaccines, antimicrobial prophylaxis and treatment, clinical considerations and critical care issues, antitoxin, delivery concerns, infection control measures, and communication. The purpose of this meeting summary is to provide updated clinical information to health care providers and public health professionals caring for P/PP/L women in the setting of a bioterrorist event involving anthrax.     

Pattern of milk feeding and family size as risk factors for iron deficiency anemia among poor Egyptian infants 6 to 24 months old

Infants between 6 and 24 months of age are at the highest risk of development of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in developing countries. Consuming unmodified cow's milk, delayed introduction of solid foods after 6 months, and high birth order could be predictors of the presence of IDA. Three hundred infants between the ages of 6 and 24 months (mean, 13.94 ± 6.17 months) from Ain Shams University Children's Hospital were enrolled in the study. Data collected included demographic information and dietary assessment including the type of milk feeding, introduction of solid foods, and daily iron intake. The infants were examined, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Anemic infants (hemoglobin level <11 g/dL) were further evaluated by complete blood count, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and iron profile. Anemia was diagnosed among 198 infants (66%), of whom 129 (43%) had IDA. Red cell distribution width at a cutoff value of 15.8% was 86% sensitive and 74% specific in predicting IDA. The main risk factors for IDA included being between 6 and 18 months of age, of the male sex, birth order above the second order, consuming cow's milk, predominant breast-feeding beyond 6 months of age, and low daily iron intake. We conclude that IDA is the most common cause of anemia among Egyptian infants 6 to 24 months old of low socioeconomic standard. Independent clinical predictors were consuming cow's milk during the first 6 months, delayed introduction of solid foods after 6 months, and birth order beyond the second order.     

Does the duration of postnatal stay influence breast‐feeding rates at one month in women giving birth for the first time? A randomized control trial

The aim of the study reported in this paper was to examine the effect of postnatal stay on breast-feeding rates at one month using a randomized control trial. Participants were recruited during parent-craft classes at a large teaching hospital in the north of England. Nulliparous women in the last trimester of pregnancy were randomly allocated to a short hospital postnatal stay (6-48 hours), or a longer stay (more than 48 hours). The mothers were contacted at one month following the birth to ask about the method of feeding. The study was approved by the hospital ethical committee, and participation was voluntary. The results demonstrated no significant effect of postnatal stay on breast-feeding rates at one month. The main limitation of the study was the reluctance of the mothers in the long stay group to stay in hospital for longer than three days. This resulted in only a small difference between the lengths of hospital stay of the two interventions. The overall breast-feeding rate for the study group had increased significantly when compared with local city wide rates. This increase may be as a result of a sampling bias or a Hawthorne effect.