Publications by authors named "Meredith 'Merilee' Brockway"

Article Synopsis
  • This study examines how the duration of breastfeeding (lactation) influences the onset and type of menopause in midlife women.
  • The analysis included nearly 20,000 women aged 40 to 65, revealing that longer breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of experiencing natural menopause before age 50, as well as reduced early surgical menopause.
  • The findings suggest that breastfeeding may provide additional maternal health benefits by potentially delaying menopause and reducing risks associated with certain types of menopause.
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Among exclusively breastfed infants, human milk (HM) provides complete nutrition in the first mo of life and remains an important energy source as long as breastfeeding continues. Consisting of digestible carbohydrates, proteins, and amino acids, as well as fats and fatty acids, macronutrients in human milk have been well studied; however, many aspects related to their relationship to growth in early life are still not well understood. We systematically searched Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science to synthesize evidence published between 1980 and 2022 on HM components and anthropometry through 2 y of age among term-born healthy infants.

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Human milk (HM) contains macronutrients, micronutrients, and a multitude of other bioactive factors, which can have a long-term impact on infant growth and development. We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science to synthesize evidence published between 1980 and 2022 on HM components and anthropometry through 2 y of age among term-born infants. From 9992 abstracts screened, 141 articles were included and categorized based on their reporting of HM micronutrients, macronutrients, or bioactive components.

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Human milk (HM) provides a plethora of nutritional and non-nutritional compounds that support infant development. For many compounds, concentrations vary substantially among mothers and across lactation, and their impact on infant growth is poorly understood. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science to synthesize evidence published between 1980 and 2022 on HM components and anthropometry through 2 y of age among term-born infants.

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Article Synopsis
  • Preterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of infant mortality globally, and studies show mixed results regarding its rates during COVID-19 lockdowns, with changes ranging from -90% to +30%.
  • Analysis of data from 52 million births in 26 countries indicates modest reductions in PTB rates during the first three months of lockdown, but no significant changes in the fourth month.
  • High-income countries showed an increase in stillbirth risk during the first month of lockdown, with Brazil experiencing increased stillbirth rates throughout the entire lockdown period, highlighting the need for further investigation into these trends.
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Objectives: To review available health and nutrition claims for infant formula products in multiple countries and to evaluate the validity of the evidence used for substantiation of claims.

Design: International cross sectional survey.

Setting: Public facing and healthcare professional facing company owned or company managed formula industry websites providing information about products marketed for healthy infants delivered at full term in 15 countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States in 2020-22.

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered how breastfeeding support is provided, resulting in mixed breastfeeding outcomes and experiences for mothers. The World Health Organization has consistently supported breastfeeding from the beginning of the pandemic. However, recommendations from obstetrical and gynaecological societies within individual countries have varied in their alignment with this guidance, resulting in inconsistent recommendations.

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