Prevalence and impact of low body mass index on outcomes in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review.

Comparatively lower body mass index (BMI) has been reported in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)-a feature which may be an unrecognised symptom, or an organic consequence of the condition. The primary aim of this systematic review is to investigate the relationship between low BMI and AIS. A secondary aim is to investigate the effect of low BMI on outcomes of postsurgical correction in this patient group.

Anthropometric characteristics, high prevalence of undernutrition and weight loss: impact on outcomes in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis after spinal fusion.

Purpose: Abnormal anthropometry including comparably lower weight and body mass index (BMI) in the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) population is increasingly recognised, however, no study has examined postoperative weight loss or its clinical relevance in these relatively thin patients. This study aimed to assess perioperative nutritional status as well as clinically severe involuntary weight loss and its impact on outcomes in patients with AIS undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF). A further objective was to compare preoperative anthropometric measurements of the current AIS cohort with healthy controls.

Timing and predictors of return to short-term functional activity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis after posterior spinal fusion: a prospective study.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Objective: To assess the timing and predictors of return to short-term functional activity in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) after posterior spinal fusion (PSF).

Summary Of Background Data: Few studies have examined the timing and rate of return to short-term functional activity in patients with AIS after PSF.

Low body mass index in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: relationship with pre- and postsurgical factors.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To determine the association between low preoperative body mass index (BMI) and outcome of spinal fusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary Of Background Data: Several studies report a lower weight and BMI in untreated subjects with AIS than nonscoliotic age-matched controls.

Factors associated with duration of breastfeeding in ireland: potential areas for improvement.

There is a need to comprehensively examine why mothers in Ireland discontinue breastfeeding early and to explore the factors influencing duration of breastfeeding during the first 6 months postpartum. Findings from this study provide valuable direction for future strategies and interventions aimed at increasing breastfeeding duration rates in Ireland.

Factors associated with weaning practices in term infants: a prospective observational study in Ireland.

The WHO (2001) recommends exclusive breast-feeding and delaying the introduction of solid foods to an infant's diet until 6 months postpartum. However, in many countries, this recommendation is followed by few mothers, and earlier weaning onto solids is a commonly reported global practice. Therefore, this prospective, observational study aimed to assess compliance with the WHO recommendation and examine weaning practices, including the timing of weaning of infants, and to investigate the factors that predict weaning at ≤ 12 weeks.

The prevalence and determinants of breast-feeding initiation and duration in a sample of women in Ireland.

Objective: To assess breast-feeding initiation and prevalence from birth to 6 months in a sample of mothers in Dublin, and to determine the factors associated with breast-feeding initiation and 'any' breast-feeding at 6 weeks in a sample of Irish-national mothers.

Design: This prospective cross-sectional study involved the recruitment of women during the antenatal period, with subsequent follow-up of mothers who delivered healthy, term singleton infants, at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum.

Setting: Participants were recruited from antenatal clinics in the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin.

Session 1: Public health nutrition. Breast-feeding practices in Ireland.

Breast-feeding is the superior infant feeding method from birth, with research consistently demonstrating its numerous short- and long-term health benefits for both mother and infant. As a global recommendation the WHO advises that mothers should exclusively breast-feed for the first 6-months of life, thus delaying the introduction of solids during this time. Historically, Irish breast-feeding initiation rates have remained strikingly low in comparison with international data and there has been little improvement in breast-feeding duration rates.