Major depressive episode among Brazilian adults: a cross-sectional population-based study.

Background: Despite the fact that there is extensive scientific research on depression very few population-based studies have been conducted in Brazilian cities.

Methods: A sampling design of two-stage conglomerates with probability proportional to size. All adults aged 20 or more living in the selected households were invited to participate in the study.

[Methodological description of accelerometry for measuring physical activity in the 1993 and 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohorts].

The aim of this study was to characterize the methodology of data collection on physical activity using accelerometry in two birth cohorts (2004 and 1993) in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, at the 6-7 and 18-year follow-up visits, respectively. During visits to the study headquarters for a health evaluation, cohort subjects received the accelerometer to be worn on the wrist for 5 to 8 days, after which the device was retrieved at their homes. Genea and GENEActiv triaxial estimators of gravity (g) acceleration were employed.

Maternal smoking in successive pregnancies and recurrence of low birthweight: the 2004 Pelotas birth cohort study, Brazil.

To evaluate the frequency of maternal smoking in successive pregnancies and its association with repetition of low birthweight, a study was conducted of a subsample of mothers from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort in Brazil. Only women with previous histories of low birthweight newborns were included. Women with ≥ 2 previous births were eligible only if at least one of the two births immediately preceding the 2004 birth had low birthweight.

Use of medicines with unknown fetal risk among parturient women from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort (Brazil).

Background: To estimate the exposure to medicines with unknown fetal risk during pregnancy and to analyze the maternal characteristics associated with it.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 4,189 mothers of children belonging to the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study about use of any medicine during gestation. We evaluated the associations between use of medicines with unknown fetal risk and the independent variables through logistic regression models.

Prognostic factors for low birthweight repetition in successive pregnancies: a cohort study.

Background: To identify prognostic factors associated with recurrence of low birthweight (LBW) in successive gestations, a study was carried out with a subsample of mothers enrolled in the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort.

Methods: Data were collected by hospital-based interviews. Newborns were weighed and measured.

Gestational age at birth and morbidity, mortality, and growth in the first 4 years of life: findings from three birth cohorts in Southern Brazil.

Background: We assessed anthropometric status, breastfeeding duration, morbidity, and mortality outcomes during the first four years of life according to gestational age, in three population-based birth cohorts in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil.

Methods: Total breastfeeding duration, neonatal mortality, infant morbidity and mortality, and anthropometric measures taken at 12 and 48 months were evaluated in children of different gestational ages born in 1982, 1993 and 2004 in Southern Brazil.

Results: Babies born <34 weeks of gestation and those born between 34-36 weeks presented increased morbidity and mortality, were breastfed for shorter periods, and were more likely to be undernourished at 12 months of life, in comparison with the 39-41 weeks group.

Bed-sharing and risk of hospitalisation due to pneumonia and diarrhoea in infancy: the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort.

Objective: To investigate the association between bed-sharing with the mother at 3 months of age and incidence of hospitalisation due to pneumonia and diarrhoea between 3 and 12 months.

Methods: The 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort included all live births to mothers living in Pelotas, Brazil, in 2004. Information on bed-sharing was obtained at the 3-month follow-up visit, and on hospitalisations at the 12-month visit, both based on mothers' reports.

Effects of exercise on kidney function among non-diabetic patients with hypertension and renal disease: randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic kidney disease is an important public health threat. Such patients present high morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease, with low quality of life and survival, and also high expenditure resulting from the treatment. Arterial hypertension is both a cause and a complication of kidney disease; also, arterial hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease among patients with kidney diseases.

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in anthropometric status in a population undergoing the nutritional transition: data from 1982, 1993 and 2004 Pelotas birth cohort studies.

Background: Socioeconomic inequalities in child nutrition may change rapidly over time, particularly in populations undergoing the nutrition transition. Yet, the few available studies are repeated cross-sectional surveys. By studying three prospective birth cohorts in the same city over a period of more than two decades, we describe secular trends in overweight and stunting at different ages, according to socioeconomic position.

Flour fortification with iron has no impact on anaemia in urban Brazilian children.

Objective: To verify the impact of flour fortification on anaemia in Brazilian children. The survey also investigated the role of Fe deficiency as a cause of anaemia and estimated the bioavailability of the Fe in the children's diet. This local study was complemented by a nationwide survey of the types of Fe compounds added to flour.

Factors associated to medicine use among children from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort (Brazil).

Objective: To identify factors associated to medicine use among children from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort, Brazil.

Methods: Prospective study to evaluate medicine use in children aged 3, 12 and 24 months regardless of the reasons, therapeutic indication or class. The study included 3,985 children followed up at three months of age, 3,907 at 12 months, and 3,868 at the last follow-up time of 24 months.

Associated factors for accelerated growth in childhood: a systematic review.

Several studies have shown that accelerated growth in the postnatal period is critical for the development of chronic diseases. The term catch-up has been used for the accelerated growth of children who have suffered some sort of restriction of nutrition or oxygen supply. However, accelerated growth has been observed among children who have an appropriate birth weight for their gestational age (AGA) and with no apparent morbidity.

Food intake profiles of children aged 12, 24 and 48 months from the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort: an exploratory analysis using principal components.

Objectives: To identify food intake profiles of children during their first four years of life and assess its variations according to sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics.

Methods: The Pelotas Birth Cohort Study (Brazil) recruited 4,231 liveborns, who were followed-up at ages 3, 12, 24 and 48 months. Food consumption data of children aged 12, 24 and 48 months was collected using a list of foods consumed during a 24-hour period prior to the interview.

Maternal caffeine consumption and infant nighttime waking: prospective cohort study.

Objective: Coffee and other caffeinated beverages are commonly consumed in pregnancy. In adults, caffeine may interfere with sleep onset and have a dose-response effect similar to those seen during insomnia. In infancy, nighttime waking is a common event.

Maternal education inequalities in height growth rates in early childhood: 2004 Pelotas birth cohort study.

Socio-economic inequalities in attained height have been reported in many countries. The aim of this study was to explore the age at which maternal education inequalities in child height emerge among children from a middle-income country. Using data from the 2004 Pelotas cohort study from Brazil we modelled individual height growth trajectories in 2106 boys and 1947 girls from birth to 4 years using a linear spline mixed-effects model.

Accumulated behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in Southern Brazil.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of, and identify factors associated with, accumulated risky behavior relating to cardiovascular diseases among adults.

Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study on a representative sample of 2732 adults of both sexes in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, in 2010. The behavioral risk factors investigated were: smoking; leisure-time physical inactivity; habitual consumption of visible fat in meat; and daily consumption of processed meats, red meat and whole milk.

Characteristics of intestinal habits in children younger than 4 years: detecting constipation.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of childhood constipation, stool characteristics, and their relationship with toilet training and age of introduction of cow's milk.

Methods: A total of 4231 children born in 2004, from a birth cohort study, were assessed at 12, 24, and 48 months of age, when their mothers provided information on sociodemographic characteristics, bowel habits, toilet training, and age of introduction of cow's milk and other foods.

Results: The prevalence of constipation was 27.

Seasonality of infant feeding practices in three Brazilian birth cohorts.

Background: We assessed the influence of season of birth on duration of breastfeeding and other feeding patterns in three population-based birth cohort studies in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil.

Methods: In 1982, 1993 and 2004, all hospital-born children in the city were enrolled in three cohort studies (n = 5914, 5249 and 4287, respectively). Children and their mothers were periodically visited in the first 2 years of life, to collect information on the duration of breastfeeding and the ages at which different types of foods were introduced on a regular basis.

Predictive factors for institutionalization of the elderly: a case-control study.

Objective: To identify predictive indicators of institutionalization of the elderly.

Methods: A case-control study was carried out with 991 elderly individuals in the city of Pelotas, (Southern Brazil), from 2007 to 2008. The cases of institutionalized elderly adults (n = 393) were detected using a census of all long-stay institutions for the elderly in the city.

Cesarean section and risk of obesity in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood: evidence from 3 Brazilian birth cohorts.

Background: The number of cesarean sections (CSs) is increasing in many countries, and there are concerns about their short- and long-term effects. A recent Brazilian study showed a 58% higher prevalence of obesity in young adults born by CS than in young adults born vaginally. Because CS-born individuals do not make contact at birth with maternal vaginal and intestinal bacteria, the authors proposed that this could lead to long-term changes in the gut microbiota that could contribute to obesity.

Predictors of dental visits for routine check-ups and for the resolution of problems among preschool children.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of dental visits among preschool children and determine the factors associated with using dental services.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,129 five-year-old children from the Pelotas Birth Cohort Study in Pelotas (Southern Brazil) 2004, from September 2009 to January 2010. Use of dental services at least once in the child's life and the reason for the child's first dental visit were recorded.

[Ambulatory care utilization in the past 15 years: comparison between two population-based studies].

Profound changes in the Brazilian health system have occurred in the past few decades. Data from two cross-sectional population-based studies carried out in 1992 (n = 1,657) and 2007 (n = 2,706), among individuals from 20-69 years, were compared aiming to describe changes in Pelotas, Brazil. Prevalence of consultations in the past twelve and three months were calculated and stratified by gender.

Childbearing during adolescence and offspring mortality: findings from three population-based cohorts in southern Brazil.

Background: The role of young maternal age as a determinant of adverse child health outcomes is controversial, with existing studies providing conflicting results. This work assessed the association between adolescent childbearing and early offspring mortality in three birth cohort studies from the city of Pelotas in Southern Brazil.

Methods: All hospital births from 1982 (6,011), 1993 (5,304), and 2004 (4,287) were identified and these infants were followed up.

Avoidable deaths in the first four years of life among children in the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study.

Avoidable deaths have been employed as indicators of health care quality. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with avoidable deaths from birth to four years of age among children from the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study. From January 1st, 2004, to December 31st, 2005, deaths were monitored on a daily basis and the causes were investigated and classified according to avoidability.

[Non-communicable chronic diseases: performance of medical care in Primary Health Care in southern Brazil].

A cross-sectional study was performed to assess knowledge and performance on the prevention of risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) in adults, among primary care physicians in the urban health system in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The study included observation of 422 consultations by 61 physicians. 58.