Nutritional adequacy of a cows' milk exclusion diet in infancy.

Background: Infants with suspected cows' milk allergy are required to follow a strict milk exclusion diet which may lead to nutritional deficiencies, especially if not supervised by a healthcare professional. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional adequacy of a cows' milk exclusion diet in a group of UK infants over a period of 6 months.

Methods: Participants in this study are a subgroup of the Prevalence of Infant Food Allergy study, a prospective food allergy birth cohort study from the South of England.

Incidence and risk factors for food hypersensitivity in UK infants: results from a birth cohort study.

Background: The prevalence of food hypersensitivity in the UK is still largely open to debate. Additionally its pathogenesis is also unclear although it is known that there are differing phenotypes. Determining its prevalence, along with identifying those factors associated with its development will help to assess its clinical importance within the national setting and also add to the debate on appropriate prevention strategies.

Prospective food diaries demonstrate breastfeeding characteristics in a UK birth cohort.

Breastfeeding duration and exclusive breastfeeding rates are universally below those recommended by World Health Organization. Due to limitations and challenges associated with researching breastfeeding characteristics, the times when exclusivity is likely to be lost and when women are most likely to discontinue breastfeeding have not yet been identified. Prospective food diaries allow reliable description of the dynamics of breastfeeding to be made to help identify these key time periods.

Ciprofloxacin during upper respiratory tract infections to reduce Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in paediatric cystic fibrosis: a pilot study.

Objectives: Acute viral respiratory illnesses are associated with acquisition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. This study aimed to pilot a protocol for a randomized controlled trial to determine whether oral antipseudomonal antibiotics used at the onset of such episodes might delay onset of infection with this organism.

Methods: A total of 41 children with CF aged 2-14 years, without chronic Pseudomonas infection, were randomized to receive ciprofloxacin (n = 28) or placebo (n = 13) at the onset of acute viral respiratory infections on an intention to treat basis, during a study period of up to 32 months.

Introduction of complementary foods and the relationship to food allergy.

Objectives: To address questions regarding breastfeeding, complementary feeding, allergy development, and current infant-feeding recommendations.

Methods: This was a nested, case-control within a cohort study in which mothers of 41 infants diagnosed with food allergy by the age of 2 years (according to double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge) and their 82 age-matched controls kept prospective food diaries of how their infants were fed in the first year of life.

Results: Infants who were diagnosed with food allergy by the time they were 2 years of age were introduced to solids earlier (≤16 weeks of age) and were less likely to be receiving breast milk when cow's milk protein was first introduced into their diet.

Diet and food allergy development during infancy: birth cohort study findings using prospective food diary data.

Background: After an era of only considering the allergenic properties of the infant diet and allergy outcomes, emerging data suggest that the overall composition of the infant diet might be a more important factor in the development of allergic disease.

Objective: We sought to assess the relationship between infant dietary patterns in the first year of life and development of food allergy by age 2 years.

Methods: We performed a nested, case-control, within-cohort study.

Exhaled nitric oxide monitoring does not reduce exacerbation frequency or inhaled corticosteroid dose in paediatric asthma: a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Inhaled corticosteroid therapy (ICS) for asthma is currently modified according to symptoms and lung function. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) has been demonstrated to be a non-invasive marker of eosinophilic inflammation. Studies of FENO-driven asthma management show variable success.

Practices in the prescription of adrenaline autoinjectors.

Background: Anecdotally, the prescription of adrenaline autoinjectors seems to be very variable. We aimed to survey the practice in this area and look at the differences between paediatric allergists and general paediatricians, the factors influencing prescription and implementation of current guidelines.

Methods: We developed an online survey containing 10 paediatric allergy cases and emailed a link to paediatricians.

Zinc, copper, selenium and manganese blood levels in preterm infants.

Objective: To measure the zinc, copper, selenium and manganese blood levels in a cohort of 68 preterm infants, and to establish any associations with growth and/or dietary intake.

Design: Blood samples were collected at an infant's expected date of delivery (term) and 6 months later. Serum zinc, plasma copper and whole blood manganese were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry, plasma and red cell selenium were determined by mass spectrometry.

Do mothers understand healthy eating principles for low-birth-weight infants?

Objectives: To describe feeding patterns and mothers' perceptions of desirable feeding practices in low-birth-weight (LBW) infants after hospital discharge in England and to test for the association of inappropriate practices/perceptions with identifiable demographics.

Design: Postal questionnaires from 198 mothers of LBW infants in London, Liverpool and Winchester were analysed regarding infant demographics, mothers' demographics, infant milks used, solid feeding practices and mothers' perceptions of infant feeding practices.

Results: At birth, the median weight, independent of gestational age, was 1.