Publications by authors named "Ronit Lubetzky"

Background: In-utero phthalate exposure was shown to be associated with shortened anogenital distance (AGD) in male newborns, but findings among female are inconsistent. While phthalate exposure among pregnant women in Israel is widespread, no study has examined the association with offspring AGD. The objective of the current study was to investigate the association between maternal phthalates urinary concentration and offspring AGD at time of delivery among a birth cohort in Israel.

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Background: We aimed to systematically review articles that reported selenium (Se) concentrations in human milk (HM).

Methods: using PRISMA guidelines we searched MEDLINE and Embase using the terms "human milk and Selenium". All clinical trials and systematic reviews were retrieved.

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To describe the variability in carotenoid content of human milk (HM) in mothers of very to extremely low birth weight preterm infants throughout lactation and to explore the relationship between lutein in HM and the occurrence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. We recruited healthy mothers along with their preterm infants that were born at gestational age 24 + 2 to 29 + 6 weeks or with a birth weight under 1500 g and were exclusively breastfed HM. Each participant provided up to 7 HM samples (2-10 ml) on day 0-3 and once a week until 6 weeks.

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Background: The human milk antibody response following maternal immunization with the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine is important for the protection of the infant during infancy. The vaccine-specific antibody response is still unclear at different stages of human milk production, as are the effects of maternal immunization timing on the robustness of the antibody response.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the antibody response (IgG/IgA/IgM) during various lactation stages and identify the best vaccination timing during pregnancy.

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Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) stimulate the growth of gut commensals, prevent the adhesion of enteropathogens and modulate host immunity. The major factors influencing variations in the HMO profile are polymorphisms in the secretor (Se) or Lewis (Le) gene, which affect the activity of the enzymes fucoslytransferase 2 and 3 (FUT2 and FUT3) that lead to the formation of four major fucosylated and non-fucosylated oligosaccharides (OS). This pilot study aimed to determine the HMO profile of Israeli breastfeeding mothers of 16 term and 4 preterm infants, from a single tertiary center in the Tel Aviv area.

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To investigate factors associated with pediatric feeding disorders (PFD) among children of parents that reported to have had feeding disorders during their own childhood compared to children with PFD with no history of parental PFD. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children diagnosed with PFD according to the recent WHO-based definition. The demographic and clinical characteristics of children with PFD with a parental history of PFD were compared to those of children with a PFD with no history of parental PFD.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study explores the use of liraglutide, a GLP-1 analogue, as an off-label therapy for patients with rare genetic causes of early-onset obesity and related complications.
  • Three case studies demonstrated that liraglutide can significantly halt weight gain, improve metabolic parameters, and support overall health in affected individuals despite their complex genetic backgrounds.
  • The findings suggest that liraglutide may have broader benefits beyond weight loss, making it a potentially valuable treatment option for managing obesity-related conditions in genetically predisposed patients.
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Objective: Large studies comparing outcomes between laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) are scarce and involve adult populations. The aim of the study was to compare perioperative, early postoperative, and 1-year postoperative outcomes of adolescents with obesity who underwent LSG or OAGB surgery.

Methods: The medical records of adolescents with obesity who underwent LSG or OAGB at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center from January 2017 to January 2021 were retrospectively reviewed.

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Purpose: Ultra-processed food (UPF), as defined by the NOVA classification, is related to lower diet quality, which may adversely affect maternal health and neonatal outcomes. This study aims to describe nutrient intake of pregnant women by the share of UPF in the diet and to identify associations between UPF intake and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, pregnant women (n = 206) were recruited upon arrival to the obstetrics ward for delivery, and asked to complete a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and questionnaires regarding environmental exposures, and socio-demographic characteristics.

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Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has potential antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties for patients with lower respiratory tract infections. We compared the safety and efficacy of iNO administered in two concentrations in addition to standard supportive treatment (SST) compared with SST alone with the aim of improving clinical outcomes of infants with bronchiolitis. In this prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled study, 89 infants hospitalized with moderate to severe bronchiolitis were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: 150 ppm NO plus SST (group 1), 85 ppm NO plus SST (group 2), and the control treatment (O/air plus SST) (group 3).

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Early dropout and treatment adherence are main challenges in the treatment of children with obesity. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with attrition and adherence to weight loss intervention program. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all the children who entered the program for pediatric weight loss over 5 years and retrieved demographic and clinical characteristics.

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Both catechin polyphenols and caffeine have been shown to have beneficial effects on weight control in the adult population. However, the influence of tea or coffee supplementation on body weight in adolescents has never been tested. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of tea and coffee consumption on body weight and body fat in adolescents with obesity.

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Knowledge and understanding of risk mechanisms associated with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) remain limited. We aimed to investigate factors associated with PFD and their relation to specific PFD types according to the recent consensus WHO-based definition. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children with PFD and retrieved their demographic and clinical characteristics.

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Objectives: Heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of the parasympathetic vagal activity, was reportedly significantly lower in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared to healthy controls. The aim of this study was to evaluate HRV as a predictor of clinical outcomes in pediatric IBD.

Methods: This was a prospective study.

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Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants banned for use worldwide. Due to their biodegradation resistance, they accumulate along the food chain and in the environment. Maternal exposure to PCBs may affect the fetus and the infant.

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Objective: The influence of seasonal variation upon human milk macronutrient content has not been elucidated. This study aimed to compare the macronutrient content of HM produced by lactating mothers during the winter and the summer seasons.

Study Design: Macronutrient content of colostrum milk samples collected from lactating mothers of healthy term infants between March 2012 and February 2016 was measured by mid-infrared spectroscopy and compared.

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Background: Commercial infant formulas attempt to imitate human milk's unique composition. However, lactose-free and milk protein-free formulas are often chosen due to medical reasons or personal preferences. The aim of this study was to determine the glycemic and insulinemic indices of a variety of infant formulas.

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The importance of breastmilk in postnatal life lies in the strong association between breastfeeding and the reduction in the risk of infection and infection-related infant mortality. However, data regarding the induction and dynamics of breastmilk antibodies following administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is scarce, as pregnant and lactating women were not included in the initial vaccine clinical trials. Here, we investigate the dynamics of the vaccine-specific antibody response in breastmilk and serum in a prospective cohort of ten lactating women who received two doses of the mRNA vaccine.

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Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants found in human tissues. PCBs can be transferred through the placenta and may disrupt the maternal thyroid homeostasis, and affect fetal thyroid hormone production. Several studies have shown that intrauterine exposure to PCBs might be associated with abnormal levels of thyroid hormones in mothers and their offspring.

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Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can range from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis with or without fibrosis. The predictors for liver fibrosis and the effect of nutritional intervention on hepatic fibrosis in pediatric population are not well established. We aimed to investigate the predictors for liver fibrosis and the effects of short-term nutritional intervention on steatosis and fibrosis among obese adolescents with NAFLD.

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Objective: The etiology of anemia in premature neonates is multifactorial and may involve anemia of inflammation mediated by hepcidin. Hepcidin expression is suppressed by vitamin D. We aimed to investigate the interrelationship between hepcidin, anemia, and vitamin D status in preterm infants.

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Aluminum exposure may originate from numerous sources, including antiperspirants. Aluminum toxicity can cause a wide range of neurological impairments. Infants are exposed to aluminum through human milk (HM), formulas, total-parenteral-nutrition and vaccines.

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Breastfeeding is considered the gold standard of infant feeding during the first year of life. However, many women experience difficulty breastfeeding and do not breastfeed to the extent that they initially planned. Our aims were to present factors influencing parents' choices of infant nutrition and to examine whether these choices are influenced by socioeconomic status (SES).

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