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OBJECTIVE: Although breastfeeding has been suggested as a candidate for the prevention of obesity and allergies, recent studies have reported mixed results. The aim of the study was (1) to assess breastfeeding length in obese children or children with allergic diseases compared to healthy children; (2) to evaluate the impact of the duration of breastfeeding on the incidence of obesity, allergy rhinitis and asthma PATIENTS AND METHODS: 408 children were evaluated (mean age 11.9±3.7 years; M/F 220/188) and divided into three groups (Obesity, n=103; Allergy, n=163; and Healthy, n=142). Breastfeeding history was collected during an interview. Physical examination, anthropometry, allergy (skin prick test with aeroallergens; Allergopharma) and a spirometry (Jaeger) assessment were performed in each participant. RESULTS: Most of the children (75%) were breastfed with a mean duration of 7.5 months (range 0-36; SD=7.9 months). The time of breastfeeding was longer in the healthy compared to the obese and allergic groups (p=0.003) and was correlated with BMI centile in all groups of subjects (R Spearman = -0.2, p<0.05). There was a higher number of subjects with hypersensitivity to the allergen of house dust mites and animals in the non-breastfed compared to the breastfed children (p<0.003, p<0.000, respectively). Non-breastfed children compared to the breastfed presented more often asthma (chi2=3.6 df=1 p=0.05), but not allergic rhinitis (chi2=9.0 df=1 p=0.002). Non-breastfed asthmatics, compared to the breastfed asthmatics, presented a significantly higher severity of asthma (OR=0.43; p=0.008). In multivariate regression models, a short breastfeeding time was associated with a higher risk of both obesity and asthma. CONCLUSIONS: School-age children with obesity and asthma were breastfed less often and for a shorter duration than their healthy peers. Longer breastfeeding may result in a reduced number of children with obesity, asthma, and allergy to house dust mites, but further investigation is needed on a larger population of school-age children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) remains one of the most complex surgical procedures with high complication rates. Infectious complications, postoperative ileus and delayed gastric emptying in the perioperative period have a significant impact on the recovery from the treatment. Probiotics (PB) are known to have a beneficial effect as supportive therapy in major abdominal surgery but the evidence in pancreatic surgery is still limited. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of postoperative administration of PB on the early outcomes after PPPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients undergoing pylorus-preserving PPPD were enrolled to prospective trial and randomized in two groups: A - control group (n=20) receiving standard nutrition and B - probiotic group (n=20) treated additionally with Lactobacillus rahmnosus GG (L. rhamnosus GG) in the postoperative period from the day of the surgery for 30 days. Gastrointestinal motility, infection complications, length of hospital stay, and mortality were compared in the perioperative period and during 2 follow-up (i.e., after 14 and 30 days). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mortality and infectious complications between groups. The length of hospital stay was shorter in the probiotic group compared to control (10 days vs. 8, respectively). The positive effect of L. rhamnosus GG on gastrointestinal tract's motility was observed, including earlier recurrence of postoperative bowel movements (group B: after 3.75 days vs. group A: 2.15 days), passing gasses (group B after 4 days vs. group A 2.9 days) and the first postoperative stool (group B after 5.84 days vs. group A 3.85 days). L. rhamnosus GG improved the appetite in postoperative day 1, 3, 5, 7 and 30 days after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: L. rhamnosus GG improves the function of the gastrointestinal tract after major pancreatic surgery and may reduce the length of hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]