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Background/objectives Human breast milk is generally regarded as the best nutrition for infants in their first months of life. Whether breastfeeding has a protective effect on food allergy is a point of debate and the subject of this study. Subjects/methods This retrospective study was conducted in 649 children who underwent a double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) as part of routine care in a tertiary care clinic. Food allergy was defined as having at least one positive DBPCFC to any food. The association between both 'any' breastfeeding (yes/no) and its duration in months with food allergy was studied by logistic regression analysis with correction for confounding variables. Results The prevalence of food allergy was 58.9% (n = 382). Of all subjects, 75.8% (n = 492) was breastfed and 24.2% (n = 157) bottle-fed. There was no significant association between food allergy and breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding after correction for the confounding effect of increased breastfeeding by atopic parents and a history of asthma in the child (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.85-1.79, p = 0.27). However, in breastfed children, every additional month of breastfeeding lowered the risk for food allergy by ~4% (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93-0.99, p = 0.02). No confounders were identified in this association. Conclusion These results show for the first time that in children investigated for possible food allergy, every additional month of breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of developing clinical food allergy as diagnosed by DBPCFC. However, overall, there was no association between the prevalence of food allergy and breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding in this tertiary care population., Author(s): C. D. van Ginkel [sup.1] [sup.2] , G. N. van der Meulen [sup.3] , E. Bak [sup.1] [sup.2] , B. M. J. Flokstra-de Blok [sup.2] [sup.4] , B. J. [...]

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) and to evaluate the efficacy of surfactant treatment at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the St Elisabeth Hospital, Curaçao, Netherlands, Antilles. This was a retrospective cohort study of 86 infants, with moderate to severe RDS, out of 877 newborns admitted to the NICU between 1991 and 1998. Results of conventional RDS treatment between 1991 and 1994 (n = 54, group 1) were compared to results of treatment between 1994 and 1998 (n = 32, group 2) with surfactant and increased prenatal steroids. The incidence of RDS in group 1 was 12%, and 7.5% in group 2. Use of prenatal steroids increased from 7.3% (group 1) to 47% in group 2 (p < 0.05). Twenty-five infants died, 17 (31.5%) in group 1 and 8 (25%) in group 2. The complication most frequently found in both study groups was Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD): sixteen infants (30%) in group 1 and 9 infants (28%) in the surfactant-treated group. BPD was significantly associated with time on the ventilator in both groups (p < 0.05). We found no cases (0%) of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in group 1, and 3 cases (9%, p < 0.05) in group 2. We found no differences in other complications between group 1 and 2. The mean time between birth and the first surfactant treatment in group 2 was more than nine hours. Surfactant rescue treatment in combination with prenatal steroids results in lower incidence of RDS and in lower mortality than conventional RDS treatment in this study. The increased incidence of ROP in the surfactant-treated group was probably the result of better detection. BPD and other complications remained unchanged. Earlier surfactant administration is suggested to reduce mortality and morbidity in the future.

Surfactant replacement therapy for Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in premature neonates has been established as an effective treatment, although significant mortality and morbidity remain. In Curaçao, surfactant became available as a therapeutic option in 1994. A retrospective cohort study was performed to describe the results of surfactant treatment in premature newborns with RDS in Curaçao between 1994 and 1998. Of 429 infants admitted to the study hospital in this period, 7.5% (n = 32) developed RDS and were treated with surfactant. Twenty-five per cent (n = 8) of these infants died, most of them in the first year of surfactant treatment. Twenty-eight per cent (n = 9) developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the most frequently observed complication. The highest incidence of BPD (44%) was found in the very low birth weight infants (750-1500 g); all infants with BPD were 27-30 weeks of gestational age. The duration of ventilator dependence was significantly associated with the development of BPD (p < 0.05). No other risk factors for complications during the treatment course could be identified. The mean time between birth and the first surfactant treatment was more than nine hours. In this study, we found low incidence rates of RDS and BPD, and a considerable mortality in surfactant treated newborns. This pilot study shows that surfactant treatment of premature infants is feasible in Curaçao. Earlier administration of surfactant, preferably within 2-3 hours after birth, is expected to lower the risk of death and oxygen dependence.