@article {8308, title = {Body mass index curves for Italian preterm infants are comparable with American curves for infants born before 34 weeks of gestational age.}, journal = {Acta Paediatr}, volume = {105}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 May}, pages = {483-9}, abstract = {

AIM: Body mass index (BMI)-for-age curves have been developed in the USA, but not compared with other populations. This study created gender-specific intrauterine BMI-for-age curves for Italian preterm infants and compared them with the USA version.

METHODS: Data on 92 262 newborn infants, born at 26-42 weeks of gestational age in the north-eastern Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia between 2005 and 2013, were analysed to create gender-specific BMI-for-age curves. Gender-specific and age-specific BMI Z scores for Italian infants were calculated using the parameters of the USA growth curves and the World Health Organization charts.

RESULTS: Gender-specific BMI-for-age at birth curves were developed for premature Italian infants from 26 gestational weeks. The comparison with the USA charts showed no significant difference in BMI percentiles in Italian infants born at <=33 gestational weeks, but infants born at >=34 gestational weeks had a significantly higher BMI than the USA population, by 0.2 standard deviations.

CONCLUSION: We developed the first European BMI-for-age at birth curves for premature infants. According to our findings, the Italian curves were comparable to the USA curves for the subgroup of infants born at <=33 gestational weeks, but not >=34 gestational weeks.

}, issn = {1651-2227}, doi = {10.1111/apa.13364}, author = {Paviotti, Giulia and Monasta, Lorenzo and Ronfani, Luca and Montico, Marcella and Copertino, Marco and De Cunto, Angela and Demarini, Sergio} } @article {1879, title = {Burden of disease caused by otitis media: systematic review and global estimates.}, journal = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, year = {2012}, month = {2012}, pages = {e36226}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Otitis media (OM) is a leading cause of health care visits and drugs prescription. Its complications and sequelae are important causes of preventable hearing loss, particularly in developing countries. Within the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, for the year 2005 we estimated the incidence of acute OM, chronic suppurative OM, and related hearing loss and mortality for all ages and the 21 WHO regional areas.

METHODS: We identified risk factors, complications and sequelae of OM. We carried out an extensive literature review (Medline, Embase, Lilacs and Wholis) which lead to the selection of 114 papers comprising relevant data. Data were available from 15 of the 21 WHO regions. To estimate incidence and prevalence for all countries we adopted a two stage approach based on risk factors formulas and regression modelling.

RESULTS: Acute OM incidence rate is 10.85\% i.e. 709 million cases each year with 51\% of these occurring in under-fives. Chronic suppurative OM incidence rate is 4.76 {\textperthousand} i.e. 31 million cases, with 22.6\% of cases occurring annually in under-fives. OM-related hearing impairment has a prevalence of 30.82 per ten-thousand. Each year 21 thousand people die due to complications of OM.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first attempt to systematically review the available information and provide global estimates for OM and related conditions. The overall burden deriving from AOM, CSOM and their sequelae is considerable, particularly in the first five years of life and in the poorest countries. The findings call for incorporating OM-focused action within preventive and case management strategies, with emphasis on the more affected.

}, keywords = {Cost of Illness, Hearing Loss, Humans, Internationality, Otitis Media}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0036226}, author = {Monasta, Lorenzo and Ronfani, Luca and Marchetti, Federico and Montico, Marcella and Vecchi Brumatti, Liza and Bavcar, Alessandro and Grasso, Domenico and Barbiero, Chiara and Tamburlini, Giorgio} } @article {1773, title = {Breastfeeding to 24 months of age in the northeast of Italy: a cohort study.}, journal = {Breastfeed Med}, volume = {6}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Aug}, pages = {177-82}, abstract = {

AIM: This study assessed the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding up to 24 months and the associated socioeconomic determinants in a birth cohort of children.

METHODS: Four hundred infants born in a hospital in the north east of Italy were enrolled at birth and followed up for 36 months. Data on infant feeding were gathered through a feeding diary compiled at fixed intervals. Data were also gathered on type of delivery and weight, length, and health status at birth, as well as on selected socioeconomic indicators of the mothers. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine any association that exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding may have with selected socioeconomic variables and with health conditions of the infants at birth.

RESULTS: Ninety-eight percent of mothers initiated breastfeeding, 69\% of them exclusively. This rate, however, had declined to 6\% by 6 months. There was a remarkable endurance of breastfeeding at 24 months (12\%). The variables significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months and any form of breastfeeding at 12 months are mother{\textquoteright}s age (p=0.007 at 3 months, p=0.026 at 12 months) and postdischarge hospital admission (p=0.029 at 3 months).

CONCLUSIONS: In this population, breastfeeding rates are higher than previously reported, but lower than recommended, especially as far as exclusivity is concerned. Full implementation of the World Health Organization-UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiatives in hospitals and communities is needed to improve them further. Monitoring systems should include the collection of data on breastfeeding beyond 12 months of age.

}, keywords = {Adult, Age Factors, Birth Weight, Breast Feeding, Cohort Studies, Family Characteristics, Female, Gestational Age, Guideline Adherence, Health Promotion, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Italy, Neonatal Screening, Prevalence, Socioeconomic Factors, Time Factors}, issn = {1556-8342}, doi = {10.1089/bfm.2011.0019}, author = {Carletti, Claudia and Pani, Paola and Knowles, Alessandra and Monasta, Lorenzo and Montico, Marcella and Cattaneo, Adriano} }