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INTRODUCTION: The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is active during minipuberty, the timing of which coincides with infantile colic. To the best of our knowledge, the relationship between these entities has not been previously investigated. METHODS: Saliva samples were collected from 15- to 60-day-old term infants (n=139) between 9 am and 5 pm. Group 1 included infants with infantile colic (n=68, 54.4% female) while the remaining healthy infants constituted Group 2 (n=71, 47.9% female). Salivary levels of estradiol (Esal) in females and testosterone (Tsal) in males were measured by ELISA in duplicate. RESULTS: The median (25th-75th centile) age and birth week for all infants were 33 (29-43) days and 39 (38.1-40) weeks, respectively. Levels of Tsal in males [Group 1, 73.35 (59.94-117.82) pg/mL vs Group 2, 77.66 (56.49-110.08) pg/mL, p=0.956] and Esal in females [Group 1, 3.91 (2.76-5.31) pg/mL vs Group 2, 4.03 (1.63-12.1) pg/mL, p=0.683] were similar. However, in subjects with infantile colic (Group 1), Esal and body mass index (BMI) standard deviation scores of females were slightly correlated (Group 1, rs= 0.393, p=0.016 vs. Group 2, rs= 0.308, p=0.076) and there was a significant correlation between the sampling time and Tsal in males (Group 1, rs= 0.469, p=0.009 vs. Group 2, rs= -0.005, p=0.976). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Random salivary sex steroid levels were similar in infants with and without infantile colic. However, in subjects with infantile colic, Esal levels in females were positively correlated with BMI and Tsal levels were higher later in the day among males. Thus, sex steroid production may be altered during minipuberty in subjects with infantile colic.

Aim: Being overweight or obese are characterized by excess fat accumulation and pose substantial health risks representing significant public health challenges in the 21st century. Overweight or obese children will potentially be overweight or obese adults in the future. Individuals who are obese during childhood are more likely to develop non-communicable chronic diseases at an earlier age compared to those who are not obese. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the obesity rates and the associated risk factors for obesity of primary school students in one of İzmir’s districts. Materials and Methods: This study focused on primary school students aged five to nine years in the Bayraklı district of the İzmir province. A total of 535 children were initially included in this study. We excluded 128 children who had chronic diseases or were taking medicine associated with obesity or those who did not agree to participate. The dependent variable was obesity and the independent variables were defined by socio-demographic and natal features, physical activities, eating habits, screen time (television and computer usage), family structure and parental weight. We administered a questionnaire to the parents and measured the children’s weight and height thus calculating their body mass index. Chi-square analysis, t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical calculations. A probability rate was used for obesity and overweight associated factors. Results: The mean age was 8±1.1 years for the 407 children. The overweight rate was 12% and the obesity rate was 12%. We detected that gender was not associated with obesity or being overweight (p=0.486). Birth weight (p