Salivary biomarkers may measure stress responses in critically ill children.

Objective: Measurement of salivary biomarkers can provide important information regarding hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity both under normal conditions as well as in response to psychological or physical stress. Our aim was to correlate salivary stress markers, such as cortisol, α-amylase and immunoglobulin A, with the Pediatric Risk Index Score of Mortality, underlying disease (pathologic, trauma and postoperative), need for mechanical ventilation/sedation and time lag between onset of illness and admission in children admitted in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Methods: We enrolled 79 pediatric intensive care unit patients (2-14 years) over a 2-year period, which satisfy the including criteria, but finally salivary biomarkers were evaluated in 65 patients.

Characteristics of Bordetella pertussis infection among infantsand children admitted to paediatric intensive care units in Greece: A multicentre, 11-year study.

Aim: To describe children with pertussis who required intensive care.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of pertussis admissions to all (six) national intensive care units in Greece from 2003 to 2013.

Results: A total of 31 children were included, 28 of whom were younger than 12 months old.

Does exclusive breastfeeding increase after hospital discharge? A Greek study.

To monitor the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Greek maternity wards and to investigate possible changes in infant-feeding practices during the first month after hospital discharge, the authors questioned 4310 Greek mothers from 7 hospitals on the fourth day postpartum. Odds ratios were calculated to estimate the effects of health system, demographic, psychosocial, and environmental factors. Any breastfeeding and full breastfeeding initiation rates were 85% and 23%, respectively.

Working mothers breastfeed babies more than housewives.

Aim: To examine the prevalence and determinants of breastfeeding and to identify perinatal, sociodemographic, psychosocial and environmental factors associated with maternal infant feeding intention.

Methods: A sample of 3734 Greek mothers that delivered their infants in 2000 was recruited in a longitudinal cohort study. Data on duration of breastfeeding was based on a questionnaire answered by 76.