E-health and health care behaviour of parents of young children: a qualitative study.

Objective: Internet plays a huge role in providing information about health care problems. However, it is unknown how parents use and perceive the internet as a source of information and how this influences health care utilisation when it comes to common complaints in infants. The objective was to evaluate the perception parents have on the role of internet in providing health care information on common symptoms in infants and its effects on health care utilisation.

Early growth characteristics and the risk of reduced lung function and asthma: A meta-analysis of 25,000 children.

Background: Children born preterm or with a small size for gestational age are at increased risk for childhood asthma.

Objective: We sought to assess the hypothesis that these associations are explained by reduced airway patency.

Methods: We used individual participant data of 24,938 children from 24 birth cohorts to examine and meta-analyze the associations of gestational age, size for gestational age, and infant weight gain with childhood lung function and asthma (age range, 3.

Maternal use of probiotics during pregnancy and effects on their offspring's health in an unselected population.

Unlabelled: Probiotics are used by women in the perinatal period and may improve balance of microbiota, with possible health benefits for both mother and baby. Characteristics and (health) behaviour patterns of mothers using probiotics during pregnancy, and health effects on their offspring, were investigated. Differences between mothers using probiotics during pregnancy and those who did not, were assessed.

Parent-reported symptoms of acute otitis media during the first year of life: what is beneath the surface?

Background: Most estimates of the incidence of acute otitis media (AOM) are based on general practitioner (GP) or pediatrician diagnoses. It is likely that these figures underestimate the community incidence of AOM since parents do not visit their doctor every time their child suffers from acute ear symptoms. The impact of these symptom episodes may be substantial since they affect the child's quality of life and parents' productivity.

E-health and consultation rates for respiratory illnesses in infants: a randomised clinical trial in primary care.

Background: It is assumed that clear and complete information on the internet can reduce healthcare consumption.

Aim: We assessed in a randomised clinical trial whether a personalised online parent information program on infant respiratory symptoms can reduce primary care utilisation.

Design And Setting: Randomised clinical trial in primary healthcare centres in a new residential area in the Netherlands.