RESUMEN

To monitor the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Greek maternity wards and to investigate possible changes in infant-feeding practices during the first month after hospital discharge, the authors questioned 4310 Greek mothers from 7 hospitals on the fourth day postpartum. Odds ratios were calculated to estimate the effects of health system, demographic, psychosocial, and environmental factors. Any breastfeeding and full breastfeeding initiation rates were 85% and 23%, respectively. One month postpartum, the corresponding rates of any and exclusive breastfeeding were 79% and 61%, respectively. Mothers of infants who lacked continuous rooming-in while in the maternity ward (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.27-3.40) and with previous experience of breastfeeding (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.19-1.79) were more likely to reestablish exclusive breastfeeding at home despite the use of supplementation in the maternity ward. It seems women are capable of overcoming supplementation in hospital and can revert to exclusive breastfeeding at home.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the ability of magnetic resonance imaging to perform a noninvasive assessment of coronary arteries, function and viability in one examination in a population with Kawasaki disease. BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) can identify coronary abnormalities in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). Contrast enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CeCMR) is the current gold standard for scar detection. Steady-state, free precession (SSFP) cine is a reliable technique to evaluate myocardial function and wall motion. METHODS: Twenty patients with KD aged 7-12 yrs, were examined. Coronary MRA was performed using a 1.5 T system with two ECG-triggered pulse sequences. CeCMR images were acquired 15 minutes after the i.v. injection of 0.1 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA using an inversion recovery sequence. SSFP cines were acquired using 6-mm short-axis slices from the atrioventricular ring to the apex. RESULTS: Aneurysms of the coronary arteries were identified in 7 patients and coronary ectasia was present in the remaining 12 patients while 1 patient had both. Transmural anterior-apical scar was detected by ceCMR in two cases, while small inferior necrosis was identified in another 2 cases. Left ventricular function was deteriorated only in the two patients with antero-apical infarction. The presence of myocardial infarction was detected in the territory supplied by the involved coronary artery. CONCLUSION: In Kawasaki disease MRA, SSFP cine and ceCMR are able to perform noninvasive coronary artery evaluation, function and infarct detection in a single study.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The aim of this study was to examine changes in sun-related knowledge and sun protection practice among Greek mothers and children during 1993-2002. A total of 315 mothers in 1993 and 295 mothers in 2002, with their 649 and 491 children respectively, were randomly selected to answer the same questionnaire on sun-related issues. Sun knowledge and protection practice were determined by an index score. Significantly more mothers in 2002 compared to 1993 had 'good' (58.9% versus 16%) and 'excellent' levels (28% versus 6%) of sun knowledge (p<0.001). In 2002, 40% of the mothers and children (versus 27% and 30% each in 1993) had 'good' levels of sun protection practice, while 28% of the mothers and 26% of the children (versus none in 1993) reported 'excellent' levels (p<0.001). Knowledge and sun protection practice were significantly improved, probably due to an information campaign conducted between both surveys.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Statural growth is dependent on hereditary and environmental factors, i.e disease, nutrition. The improvement of socioeconomic conditions that took place during the 20th century resulted in a secular trend towards greater height and earlier sexual maturation. Greek society has changed dramatically from a mainly agricultural society at the beginning of the 20th century to a mainly urban one in the second half of the century, and during this period Greece became a developed country. The various studies examining the height of children living in Athens during this period show a gradual increase in the height of children, the difference of the mean height between 2001 and 1928 being 11.8 cm and 7.3 cm for 17 year old boys and girls, respectively. The difference in mean height was present at all ages. The difference in final height was mainly due to prepubertal growth. Girls at the age of 10 and boys at 11 years were about 8 cm taller in 2001 than in 1928. A growth study carried out on conscripts in 1990 found no significant difference in the height of males coming from urban or rural areas of the country, whereas such a difference was detected in 1968, rural men being significantly shorter than urban ones in 1968. There are only a few studies on the sexual maturation of Greek children. The available data suggest a secular trend towards earlier puberty in females; however, this can not be substantiated for males. Menarcheal age in Greek girls showed a positive secular change that is in agreement with the observed trend for earlier pubertal maturation in girls. In conclusion, Greek children in the 20th century experienced a positive secular trend in stature which also includes final height. A secular trend for earlier sexual maturation can be shown only for girls.