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Eating breakfast daily improves cognitive function, may contribute to learning and academic performance in children and can decrease the risk of childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to analyse how breakfast consumption changed in the period from 2008/9 to 2019 in Italy among children aged 8–9 years old participating in the OKkio alla SALUTE surveys and to explore the associations with some socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Information about children's daily breakfast consumption (adequate, inadequate, and no breakfast) and the socio-demographic characteristics of the children and their mothers was collected through four questionnaires addressed to parents, children, teachers and head teachers. Data were analysed for the 272,781 children from 21 Italian regions from 2008/9 to 2019. The prevalence of adequate breakfast decreased from 60.7% in 2008/9 to 55.7% in 2019 and no breakfast from 10.9 to 8.7%; conversely, inadequate breakfast increased from 28.4 to 35.6%. Logistic regression models showed that the occurrence of inadequate or no breakfast consumption was significantly higher among girls, children living in the southern regions and children with less educated mothers. These findings highlight the need for effective interventions to increase daily breakfast consumption and its adequacy among children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the EPaS-ISS study was to describe the changes in food consumption and eating behaviours of children (mainly aged 8–9 years) and their families between the pre-COVID-19 period (before February/March 2020) and the COVID-19 period (from February/March 2020 to April 2022). A web questionnaire completed by parents was used to collect data. The sociodemographic characteristics of the children and their parents were also explored through the web questionnaire. Seventeen regions out of nineteen and the two autonomous provinces (PA) of Italy participated in the study. The survey was completed for 4863 children (47.9% females). The study showed that only small changes in children's food consumption happened between the pre-COVID-19 period and the COVID-19 period; in particular, about 25% of parents reported an increase in savoury snacks and sweet food. A decrease in fruit and vegetable (about 8%) and fish (14%) consumption was also found. However, the changes seem to have mainly affected children from most disadvantaged families. The results also indicate positive changes during the COVID-19 pandemic in some families' eating behaviours, such as eating more home-cooked meals (42%) and family meals (39%), as well as cooking more with children (42%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide has been identified as one of the most common causes of death among women within 1 year after the end of pregnancy in several high-income countries. The aim of this study was to provide the first estimate of the maternal suicide ratio and a description of the characteristics of women who died by suicide during pregnancy or within 1 year after giving birth, induced abortion or miscarriage (i.e., maternal suicide) in 10 Italian regions, covering 77% of total national births. Maternal suicides were identified through the linkage between regional death registries and hospital discharge databases. Background population data was collected from the national hospital discharge, abortion and mortality databases. The previous psychiatric history of the women who died by maternal suicide was retrieved from the regionally available data sources. A total of 67 cases of maternal suicide were identified, corresponding to a maternal suicide ratio of 2.30 per 100,000 live births in 2006–2012. The suicide rate was 1.18 per 100,000 after giving birth (n = 2,876,193), 2.77 after an induced abortion (n = 650,549) and 2.90 after a miscarriage (n = 379,583). The majority of the women who died by maternal suicide (34/57) had a previous psychiatric history; 15/18 previously diagnosed mental disorders were not registered along with the index pregnancy obstetric records. Suicide is a relevant cause of maternal death in Italy. The continuity of care between primary, mental health and maternity care were found to be critical. Clinicians should be aware of the issue, as they may play an important role in preventing suicide in their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence on the negative outcomes of untreated mental disorders during pregnancy and in the first year after childbirth on women's and children's health has stimulated interest in how to develop and sustain high-quality mental health care during the perinatal period. In Italy, there is a lack of knowledge about how mental health services support women with perinatal mental disorders (PMDs). This study aims to describe the adoption of good practices for the prevention and care of PMDs by the Italian mental health departments (MHDs)., Methods: This is a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted online using LimeSurvey. Starting from the Ministry of Health Registry's 127 MHDs were invited to participate between February and March, 2023. Characteristics of the participating MHDs were reported as descriptive statistics., Results: One hundred nineteen MHDs participated, with a response rate of 93.7%. Regarding the prevention of PMDs, 69 (58.0%) MHDs offer preconception counseling, whereas only 6 (5.0%) have information material for this purpose. Written integrated care pathways for PMDs are not available in 94 (79.7%) MHDs. A reference professional for psychopharmacological treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding is available in 55 (46.2%) MHDs, while a specific treatment plan for women with PMDs is adopted by 27 (22.7%) MHDs. Thirty-four (28.6%) MHDs have established an outpatient clinic for PMDs, whereas there are no inpatient psychiatric facilities designed for mothers and infants (mother-baby units)., Conclusions: There is a need to improve the care of women with PMDs in Italy. The provision of pre-conception counseling, integrated care pathways, and specialist skills and facilities for PMDs should be prioritized.

This study reports the results of an Italian sampling survey carried out in 1999 on the evaluation of the support and the information activities offered to women who delivered with specific regard to breast-feeding. 1986 women have been interviewed. The response rate was 95%. Ninety-four percent of the sample reported a positive attitude among breast-feeding, but only 80% breastfed her baby during hospital stay. Moreover only 31% had the opportunity to start breast-feeding immediately after birth. Around 50% of women reported the quality of the hospital support as inadequate. The authors conclude that, even in the light of the present Italian law, much more could and should be done in order to promote and support women in breast-feeding.