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Background Asthma is a common respiratory disorder; some data were present on the correlation between increased levels of some elements and the risk of asthma development. It was aimed to evaluate the levels of 13 selected blood and tooth elements (magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, lead, mercury) in a well-controlled asthma group and the control group. Methods During the study period, 17 asthma patients and 26 age and gender-matched healthy children donated shed deciduous teeth having neither decay nor filling and enrolled for the study. The element levels in blood and teeth matrixes were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Differences in blood and tooth elements in groups were evaluated with generalized linear models after adjusting confounding factors. Results After adjusting the child’s “z scores of body mass index for age”, history of iron deficiency anemia, and status of parental smoking, the generalized linear model revealed significantly lower tooth magnesium levels, lower blood zinc levels, and lower blood zinc/copper ratio in the asthma group than the control group (p = 0.042, p = 0.034, p = 0.002, respectively). Other studied elements for tooth and blood matrixes were similar in groups. Conclusion Our study revealed some differences in tooth and blood element levels in the asthma group. Further studies on zinc and magnesium levels of severe asthma cases are necessary for the interpretation of the results.

The aim was to evaluate the levels of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON) in human milk, and to investigate the relation between selected mycotoxin levels in breast milk and infantile growth in exclusively-breastfed infants under four months. Mycotoxin analysis was performed with commercial ELISA kits. Infants were weighed, and z scores of weight-for-age (WAZ) were calculated with WHO standards. The first quartile of the mycotoxin levels was classified in subgroups as low-level, the last quartile as high-level, and between them as middle-level. The subgroups of AFM1, OTA, and DON had similar infants' WAZ. When cases without maternal smoke exposure were selected and WAZ at birth, infant age, and gender were adjusted, higher infant WAZ on admission was detected in high-ZEN subgroup (p = 0.033). Further cohort studies in exclusively-breastfed infants and absence of maternal smoke exposure could clarify the effect of ZEN on infant growth.

Melamine contamination is a recent public health problem emerging globally. Present study aimed to detect the rate of melamine presence in human milk in a cohort study and to evaluate any possible differences in maternal–infant pair characteristics such as breastfeeding status, crying and sleep problems of infants, maternal postpartum depression, maternal–infant bonding, infant and maternal anthropometry, and maternal complete blood count caused by the melamine exposure. Mothers of infants born in Şanlıurfa were invited to participate in ‘Urfa Child Cohort Survey’. Overall, two breast milk samples were taken between 5 days and 15 days postpartum and between 4 weeks and 10 weeks. Randox Food’s InfiniPlex array was used to analyse the presence of melamine. Melamine was detected in 32.2% and 24.4% of the first and the second milk samples; 16.7% of mothers had two positive samples. z Scores for birth weight and z scores for height for age were detected to be significantly lower in cases with two positive samples compared to cases with negative samples. Mean maternal white blood cells counts were found to be lower in cases with repeated melamine contact. Melamine might have a detrimental effect on birth weight, infant height and maternal blood count. Further studies should be done to detect environmental contamination in different regions and countries.

Background: There are no national data on the prevalence of breastfeeding during pregnancy (BDP) in the world. Also, there is no consensus for the BDP. Aim: The purpose was to determine the prevale...

Background Some elements were claimed to play a role in the pathogenesis of congenital heart defects (CHD) and influence the general well-being and health of these children. Objectives We aimed to assess the levels of some elements simultaneously in the blood and teeth samples of children with cyanotic and acyanotic CHD compared with healthy children. Methods A total of 39 children with CHD (11 with cyanotic and 28 with acyanotic CHD) and 42 age- and sex-adjusted controls were enrolled. Levels of 13 elements, including magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, strontium, cadmium, lead, mercury, and molybdenum, were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results Children with cyanotic and acyanotic CHD had significantly lower teeth calcium and calcium/phosphorus ratio as compared to the controls after adjusting for confounders. The mean blood iron level was found to be significantly higher in the cyanotic CHD group compared to the other groups. In addition, children with acyanotic CHD had significantly higher teeth copper levels, higher blood molybdenum and lower blood magnesium levels compared to the healthy control group. Blood cadmium and mercury levels were found to be significantly elevated in both the cyanotic and acyanotic CHD groups compared to the healthy control group. There were no differences in toxic metal levels of teeth in cases with CHD. Conclusion Monitoring adequate and balanced gestational micronutrient intake might support not only maternal health but also fetal cardiac development and infant well-being. Supplementation of magnesium should be evaluated in patients having CHD.

Objective:The aim of the current study is to analyse the trends, determinants of prelacteal feeding (PLF) and its relations with the mode of delivery among infants Design:We pooled data from Turkey Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS). The key outcome variable was PLF. Factors associated with PLF were analysed by using complex sample multiple logistic regression analysis, separately and merged database.Setting:TDHS in 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018.Participants:Mother–infant dyads (n 4942).Results:PLF rates fluctuated between 29·3 and 41·4 %. The most common types of PLF were infant formula (61·1 %) followed by sugar/glucose water (24·9 %) and plain water (9·3 %). PLF rate was 1·51 times higher (95 % CI 1·28, 1·78) in cases delivered by caesarean section as compared with those delivered by vaginal route. According to the initiation time of breast-feeding after delivery, the most significant absolute change in PLF rate was observed within 1 h (10·9 % increase). Delayed initiation of breast-feeding was associated with significantly higher odds of PLF compared with the first hour (1 to < 2 h: adjusted OR (AOR) 1·29, 95 % CI 1·04, 1·61; 2–23 h: AOR 1·73, 95 % CI 1·42, 2·11; ≥24 h: AOR 11·37, 95 % CI 8·81, 14·69).Conclusions:To eliminate suboptimal breast-feeding practices, counselling on breast-feeding and delivery type during antenatal visits, postnatal breast-feeding support and social support should be provided to all mothers and families.

Maternal milk is essential for optimum growth and development of an infant. The aim was to examine the presence of pharmaceutical residuals in breastmilk. This cohort study enrolled 90 healthy mother-infant pairs at 5-14 days after delivery and a control examination was performed 4-8 weeks later. Milk samples were taken at both visits. RANDOX Infiniplex kit performed residual analysis. More than half of mothers (54.4 %) had anti-inflammatory drug residues in at least one milk sample: those were 52.2 % for tolfenamic acid and 2.2 % for meloxicam and 1.1 % for metamizole. The most frequent residue group included the beta-lactam antibiotic group, which was detected in 93.3 % of mothers' milk. The second one was the quinolone group (81.1 %). One-third of mothers expressed nitroxynil and one-fifth polymyxin in at least one sample. Almost all mothers had some unexpected drug residues in their milk. Additional studies from other countries can display maternal environmental exposures.

We aimed to assess element status in whole blood and tooth dentin and identify their correlations in overweight or obese children without additional metabolic risk factors. In a case-control study, 40 overweight and 80 normal weight children aged 6–10 years were enrolled. Samples of blood and tooth were collected. While all studied elements were similar in groups in univariate analysis, after adjustment for confounding factors, tooth Mn levels were lower and blood Zn levels were higher in the overweight/obese group (p = 0.049 and p = 0.032, respectively). A significant correlation in blood and tooth dentin levels of Sr and Zn was detected in both groups. In both biological substances, the concentrations of elements did not differ significantly in overweight children without metabolic comorbidities compared to healthy children of normal weight. Presence of low Mn levels in tooth dentin and high Zn levels in blood samples should be explored in further studies.

Background The study aimed to provide an overall picture of the general pattern of exclusive breast feeding (EBF) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by examining maternal sociodemographic, antenatal and postnatal factors associated with EBF in the region, as well as explore countries variations in EBF rates. Methods We utilised cross-sectional data from the Demographic Health Surveys in 27 SSA countries. Our study sample included 25 084 infants under 6 months of age. The key outcome variable was EBF in the last 24 h. Due to the hierarchical structure of the data, a multilevel logistic regression model was used to explore factors associated with EBF. Results The overall prevalence of EBF in SSA was 36.0%, the prevalence was highest in Rwanda and lowest in Gabon. In the multilevel regression model, factors that were associated with increased likelihood of EBF included secondary and above maternal education, mothers within the ages of 25–34 years, rural residence, richer household wealth quantile, 4+ antenatal care visit, delivering in a health facility, singleton births, female infants, early initiation of breast feeding (EIBF), and younger infants. However, countries with higher gross national income per capita had lower EBF rates. Conclusions To achieve a substantial increase in EBF rates in SSA, breast-feeding interventions and policies should target all women but with more emphasis to mothers with younger age, low educational status, urban residence, poor status, multiple births, and male infants. In addition, there is a need to promote antenatal care utilisation, hospital deliveries, and EIBF.

This study was conducted to assess the blood boron levels (BBL) in prepubertal children in the West and Central Anatolia regions of Turkey and its relationship with chosen anthropometric measurements. A multistage sampling design that combined multicluster (West Anatolia vs. Central Anatolia regions and rural vs. urban residents) and simple random sampling methods were used for the sample selection. BBL was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Weight, height, mid-arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured. Z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age were calculated. Furthermore, arm-muscle area, arm-fat area, and fat percentage were measured. This study enrolled 2126 children, of whom 50.7% were male. The mean age was 8.9 years. The mean concentration of BBL was 15.6 μg/L (interquartile range: 11.7-19.6 μg/L). Children in urban areas had significantly higher BBL than those in rural areas (17.2 ± 5.5 vs. 11.9 ± 4.6 μg/L; p

We aimed to determine the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the breast milk; to assess the effect of detectable OCPs on maternal-infant characteristics and; to evaluate the relation between OCPs and the maternal psychopathologies [Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)] and infant growth. DDT, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), aldrin and heptachlor were detected in 89.3, 70.7, 58.7 and 34.7 % of the samples, respectively. Mothers with low monthly family income had detectable DDTs less frequently. The frequencies of detectable heptachlor epoxide were significantly higher in mothers with gestational nausea. Anaemic mothers had more frequently detectable alpha-HCH. Z scores of head circumference were inversely correlated with beta-HCH and DDT levels. The heptachlor epoxide levels were positively correlated with PBQ, MIBS and indexes of BSI. No relation was detected between EPDS and OCPs. Further studies are needed for changes in maternal psychopathologies.

WOS: 000295754300007, PubMed: 22026291, Aim: To evaluate the association between anthropometric measurements and dental caries in school children. Methods: The study was conducted on 245 primary school children (50.2% boys, 49.8% girls,), aged 5 to 9 years. The prevalence and severity of dental caries was measured using the decayed, missing or filled surfaces (dmfs, DMFS) and teeth (dmft, DMFT) indices. Results: Mean dmft indices in children for boys and girls were 5.5 +/- 3.92 and 5.0 +/- 3.64, respectively. The prevalence of children with dental caries (dmft >= 1) was 84.9%. The prevalence of children with body mass index (BMI) =+1SD was 15.9% and 22.9%, respectively. Dental caries were found in 89.7% of children with low body weight (including underweight and at risk for underweight) and in 66.1% of overweight-obese children (p, Ankara Rotary Club; Dazen Laboratory, This study was supported by projects of Ankara Rotary Club and Dazen Laboratory. We are grateful to the teachers and parents.

This study was undertaken to determine the microbiological quality of sheep carcasses during different stages in the slaughtering process. A total of eleven carcasses were selected at random in an abattoir. The samples were taken by excision from four different sites; leg, brisket, shoulder and neck. The samples were collected from the same carcasses at four different stages in the slaughtering process; after dressing, after evisceration, after washing and chilling. The aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae recovered from each sample were enumerated. Chilling reduced the aerobic mesophilic and coliform counts of carcasses, significantly. Levels of carcass microbial load after chilling were 1.69, 0.11 and 0.11 log cfu/cm2 for aerobic mesophilic counts, coliform counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts, respectively. According to data obtained in the present study, chilling of carcasses was the most important step in improving the hygienic quality of carcasses. Processing stages changed significantly both aerobic mesophilic and coliform counts of neck, therefore, among different sites of carcass, neck should be the only critical site for microbiological sampling for sheep carcasses.

Bu çalışmanın amacı erkek ve dişi Pekin ördeklerinde ilk hafta ana makinesinde büyütmenin besi performansı, karkas özellikleri, et kalitesi ve bazı kan parametreleri üzerine etkilerini belirlemektir. Çalışmada toplam 120 adet (60 erkek ve 60 dişi) pekin ördeği palazı kullanılmıştır. Her cinsiyet grubu rastgele iki farklı yetiştirme grubuna ayrılmıştır. Birinci gruptaki (ana makinesi) palazlar besinin 1-7. günleri arasında ana makinesinde daha sonra altlıklı sistemde büyütülmüştür. İkinci gruptakiler (altlık/kontrol) ise besinin 1-42. günleri arasında altlıklı sistemde büyütülmüştür. Besinin 41. gününde her yetiştirme ve cinsiyet grubundan 5 ördek rastgele seçilerek kan örnekleri alınmıştır. Besinin 42. gününde ördekler özel bir kesimhanede kesilmiştir. Karkas randımanı, organ ağırlıkları ve karkas özellikleri belirlenmiştir. Göğüs ve but etlerinde pH, kül, yağ ve ham protein düzeyleri tespit edilmiştir. Altlıklı sistemde büyütülen ördeklerde toplam canlı ağırlık artışı, karkas randımanı ve göğüs eti yüzdesi ana makinesinde büyütülen ördeklere göre daha yüksek (P, The aim of this study is to determine effects of brooder machine rearing method in the first week on fattening performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and some blood parameters of male and female Pekin ducks. A total of 120 (60 male and 60 female) ducklings were used in the research. Each sex group was randomly allocated into two rearing methods. In the first group (brooder machine), ducklings were arranged in the brooder machine from 1 to 7 d then reared on the deep litter floor until day 42 . In the second group (litter/control), ducklings were reared on the deep litter floor from the day 1 to the day 42 of the fattening period. At the day 41 of the fattening period, 5 ducks from each sex and rearing groups were randomly selected and bled. At the day 42 of the fattening period all ducklings were slaughtered in a commercial slaughterhouse. Hot carcass yield, organ weights and carcass characteristics were determined. Also pH, ash, fat and crude protein were determined in the breast and thigh muscles. Total body weight gain, hot carcass yield and breast percentage of ducks reared on the litter group (control group) were significantly (P

6th Annual Conference on Excellence in Pediatrics -- DEC 04-06, 2014 -- Dubai, U ARAB EMIRATES, WOS: 000358996400021, …, Excellence Pediat Inst

This study was carried out to determine the effects of dietary sepiolite on performance, carcass traits and some blood parameters of broilers. A total of 204 daily Ross 308 female broiler chicks were allocated into one control group and two treatment groups each containing 68 chicks. Sepiolite was used at the level of 0%, 0.5% and 1% for the diets of control group and the first and second treatment groups, respectively. The experimental period lasted 6 weeks. Supplemental sepiolite improved body weight (P

Background and aim Lead, mercury and cadmium are widely exposed environmental pollutants throughout the world. In this study, we aimed to investigate the level of exposure to lead(Pb), mercury(Hg) and cadmium(Cd) during intrauterine life. Methods We included 123 mother-infant pairs between December 2006 and January 2007. Umbilical cord blood collected immediately after delivery while breast milk and newborn hair samples collected between 3–10th postpartum days. All the specimens analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Results Cord blood samples Pb was present in 99.2%(the mean 1.66±1.6µg/dl) while Hg in only 1.7% and Cd in 19.8%(ranged 0–6.71µg/L). Cord blood Pb was higher than ≥2µg/dl in 29% of the samples. Pb, Hg and Cd were detectable in all the newborn hair samples. Among breast milk samples 83.2% had detectable lead levels(mean 14.5±12.1µg/L). Presence of Hg and Cd in breast milk samples were 53.3% and 9% respectively. Cord blood lead levels were significantly higher when maternal age >35 years. Breast milk Cd levels were significantly higher in women who were residing close to the major city waste site. Cord blood Cd levels were significantly higher in women consuming more than two fish weekly. Maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoking(ETS) resulted increased newborn hair Pb and Cd levels. Conclusion Intrauterine heavy metal exposure is an important concern for pediatricians. Most samples had detectable levels for Pb, Hg, Cd indicating long term maternal exposure and considerable number exceeds the present accepted safety levels at cord and breast milk samples. Preventing ETS, limiting fish consumption and improved living conditions for pregnant women may decrease exposure levels.

Aim Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) are found widely in environment and stay in nature for a long time. These toxic chemicals have some hazardous effects on child health. The purpose of this study are to determine the levels of heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd) in breast milk and infant hair, related environmental factors and the effect on infant growth and development at the postpartum 8th month. Method As a part of the cohort study at Hacettepe University Department of Social Paediatrics, 74 breast milk samples and 46 infant hair samples were taken at the postpartum 8th month. Mothers’ environmental exposure were evaluated by a semistructured questionnaire. Results Pb, Hg, Cd were detected in breast milk samples of 91%, 87%, 99%, respectively. Breast milk Hg levels were associated with maternal vitamin use within the first 2 months after delivery, breast milk Cd levels were higher in cases with expanded family, living in older house and in urban with air pollution during childhood. Higher infantile hair Cd levels were higher in cases with expanded family, living older house, maternal history of anaemia and postpartum anaemia. In girls z scores of birth weight, height for age at the 8 th month were inversely correlated with infant hair Pb levels. In boys, z scores of body mass index at the 8th month were inversely correlated with infant hair Cd levels. The levels of breast milk Hg levels were higher in infants with Denver II suspicious/abnormal. Conclusion It is suggested that presence of Pb, Hg, Cd in breast milk and infant hair have been affected infants of developmental and growth parameters. Preventive measures must be taken to reduce environmental toxic metals pollution and efforts should be made for the management of anaemia in females in all age groups.

Backgroud and aims: To analyse infantile (birth characteristics, feeding type) and environmental (maternal smoking, nutrition and psychological status, mother-child bonding, family structure, support to mother, familial atopy) risk factors for infantile colic and to follow up infants with respect to physical growth, sleeping status up to 8 months of age in a nested case-control study. Methods: 660 mothers who delivered at Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Hospital, were enrolled within postpartum 3-72 hours. Infants with insolablepersistant crying and subsequent four infants with no crying episodes were invited to Hacettepe University Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital at postpartum 30-45 days by phone. At postpartum 40-55 days, infants were examined; 47 infants were diagnosed as colic cases and 142 as noncolic. When the infants were 7-8 month old, another interview was done. Results: Colic group had higher percentages of less educated (≤8 years) and smoking mothers, extended family, families with domestic violence than noncolic group. Colic group had significantly higher rates of “impaired bonding” in Postpartum Bonding Questionaire, higher scores of Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale, higher scores for hostility subscales of Brief Symptom Inventory and more irregular sleep pattern than noncolic group. At 7-8 months, colic group was shorter than noncolic group. Conclusion: Colic was associated with some perinatal factors (maternal education, smoking habits, cheese consumption, hostility scores and domestic violence) and having infantile colic had negatively affected sleeping pattern and height of infant.

Editor,—Having read the case report by Kennedy and colleagues,1 we would like to point out some aspects of the production of dry fermented sausage, salami, and sausage. We agree with Kennedy et al that food manufacturers should order ingredients specifically, in writing, and preferably by their approved chemical name. Nitrate and nitrite are widely used as …