Short duration of breastfeeding and early introduction of cow's milk as a result of mothers' low level of education.

Inappropriate infant feeding including a lack of breastfeeding and the early introduction of cow's milk are the most common forms of infant feeding malpractice. To evaluate the hypothesis that infant feeding malpractices are associated with mothers' low level of education, questionnaires were administered to 400 mothers of infants below 12 mo of age divided into 3 groups according to their various educational levels. Items included the type of milk given at birth and at 1, 3 and 6 mo of age.

Effect of an 8-month treatment with omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic) in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Supplementation of the diet with eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, the main long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in cell membranes, may have beneficial effects in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Methods: A prospective study involving 30 patients and 20 control subjects was carried out; eicosapentaenoic plus docosahexaenoic acid was equal to 1.3% of caloric intake in the cystic fibrosis patients.

Effect of intragastric volume and osmolality on mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Objective: Both transient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxations (TLESRs) and periods of low/absent LES pressure (LESP) are the main mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux. These events are believed to be triggered by stimuli from different areas of the upper GI tract. We aimed at investigating the relationship between LESP profile and gastric emptying and distension after meals of different composition in 30 children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (median age 7.

Evidence of chronic inflammation in morphologically normal small intestine of cystic fibrosis patients.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene and characteristically leads to prominent lung and pancreatic malfunctions. Although an inflammatory reaction is normally observed in the CF airways, no studies have been performed to establish whether a chronic inflammatory response is also present in the CF intestine. We have investigated whether immunologic alterations and signs of inflammation are observed in CF small intestine.

Gut lavage IgG and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist:interleukin 1 beta ratio as markers of intestinal inflammation in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Whole gut lavage is currently used as preparation before radiological or endoscopic examination of the large bowel.

Aim: To validate the gut lavage technique for the assessment of mucosal inflammation, by measuring intestinal IgG and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) in the fluid obtained.

Patients: Sixteen children with Crohn's disease (CD), 14 with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 22 age matched controls.