Children with Feeding Difficulties Present Changes in the Development of Feeding Skills: A Study with a Control Group

Introduction Feeding skills (FS) are important to child development, as the delay in their presence could suggest feeding difficulties (FD) symptoms. The aim of the present study was to compare the development of three types of FS (autonomy to eat, posture at meals, and adequate use of cutleries) among children with FD and without FD. Methods This was a case-control retrospective observational study. The sample consisted of 316 children from case and control groups in accordance with the presence (or not) of FD. The control group was recruited by convenience (verbal approaching at the emergency care unit), and the case group was based on the medical records collected at the reference center. A same-structured questionnaire was used for both groups. Results Children with FD (63.2%) used baby-bottles in an inadequate way with a higher frequency after 24 months of age. Inadequate posture at meals was observed with higher frequency in children with FD (78.1%). Children without FD (89.1%) had more autonomy to eat. In children > 18 months old, this frequency was higher (90.6%). Conclusion Children with FD showed changes on the development of FS. Inadequate posture at meals was associated with a 36-fold higher risk of having FD. Not eating alone after the age of 18 months was associated with a 6-fold higher risk of having FD, while not using baby bottles was associated with a lower risk (52%) of FD complaints. Delays in FS can be predictors of FD during childhood.

Bisphenol A and its Analogues: Human Exposure and Biological Effects-A Review

The most prevalent exposure of bisphenol A (BPA) to biological systems has directed health organizations to reduce its safe dosage and the stringent regulation by developed countries that led to ban of BPA-based (Bisphenol analogues) baby bottles. This in turn has opened a new window for ongoing entry of bisphenol analogues into consumer market. Recently, there has been tremendous growth in both production and application of bisphenol analogues to achieve the "BPA-free" claim. Nevertheless, due to growing epidemiological evidence concerning the toxicological effects of these bisphenol analogues in both in vivo and in vitro systems, the debate regarding the safety concerns over bisphenols is back. Structural analogues of bisphenol A had been identified in food products, human and environment matrices. Present review is an attempt to recapitulate the presence of bisphenols in food and environment matrices as well as their concerning physiological effects in animal models and human groups. But, due to structural analogy of these substitutes, their endpoints on biological functions are comparable to original compound or in certain situations, more harmful than original compound. Unfortunately, other potentially harmful alternatives are emerging and it is therefore advised that the replacement of bisphenol A with other structural analogues must be executed with great care.

Exposure assessment of bisphenol A by drinking coffee from plastic cups

Background. Human exposure to plastic and Bisphenol-A (BPA) is very wide in food or beverage containers and baby bottles that have contacted polycarbonate and epoxy resin. Currently a traditional beverage in Arabian culture is served in plastic cups instead of glass cups in different occasions Objective. To evaluate the possible BPA leach from the grade 5 drinking coffee plastic cups into the coffee and whether the use of plastic cups instead of glass ones to serve hot Arabian coffee poses a health risk Materials and methods. Oral administration of such coffee to three different groups of rats were undertaken. Each group consisted of 10 males and 10 females. The first group (G1) was gavaged 1.5 ml of hot water in glass cups. The second group (G2) was gavaged 1.5 ml of hot water in plastic cups while the third one (G3) was gavaged 1.5 ml of Arabian coffee in plastic cups. Serum concentrations of Bisphenol-A were measured 4 weeks later. Complete postmortem examination was conducted and representative tissue samples were subjected to histopathological evaluation. Results. In the control group receiving water kept in a glass cup had 24 ± 2 μg/L serum concentration and the second group was 36 ± 4 μg/L while in the third group was 29 ± 6 μg/L. No significant postmortem changes or histopathological findings were present in the studied animals. Conclusions. Bisphenol-A can be leached from food-grade plastic cups into hot drinks within short period of time, posing a significant impact to public health.

The Putative Adverse Effects of Bisphenol A on Autoimmune Diseases

: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer that is widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics including storage plastics and baby bottles, and is considered one of the most widely used synthetic compounds in the manufacturing industry. Exposure to BPA mainly occurs after oral ingestion and results from leaks into food and water from plastic containers and according to epidemiological data exposure is widespread and estimated to occur in 90% of individuals. BPA exertspleiotropiceffects and demonstrates estrogen like effects, thus considered an endocrine disrupting chemical. Growing body of evidence highlight the role of BPA in modulating immune responses and signaling pathways resulting in a proinflammatory response by enhancing the differential polarization of immune cells and cytokine production profile to one that is consistent with proinflammation. Indeed, epidemiological studies have uncovered associations between several autoimmune diseases and BPA exposure. Data from animal models provided consistent evidence highlighting the role of BPA in the pathogenesis, exacerbation and perpetuation of various autoimmune phenomena including neuroinflammation in the context of multiple sclerosis, colitis in inflammatory bowel disease, nephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus, and insulitis in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Given the wide spread of BPA use and its effects in immune systemdysregulation, a call for careful assessment of patients’ risks and for public health measures are needed to limit exposure and subsequent deleterious effects. The purpose of this paper is to explore the autoimmune triggering mechanisms and present the current literature supporting the role of BPA in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Assessment of ECC Affecting Anterior Teeth in Children Visiting University Dental Hospital in India

Dental caries is one of the most infectious diseases of childhood resulting in chronic progression rate. They are of different types and patterns being rampant caries, nursing bottle caries. These are known to spread from the mother to the baby during infancy. Early childhood caries in the presence of one or more decayed or filled tooth surfaces in any primary teeth in a child 72 months age or younger. It is generally associated with unusual dietary patterns. Caries in children are mainly caused by the bacteria Streptococcus mutans. One of the reasons identified for ECC in children is the improper feeding patterns in children and prolonged use of baby bottles for milk feeding, especially at night. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of ECC anterior teeth in children. A retrospective study was carried out using digital records of 731 subjects. These data were collected from DIAS and coded in MS Excel sheets. The collected data was analysed by computer software SPSS version 21 using Chi-square test and graphical illustration was done. From the above study, it was found that ECC was more prevalent in 2-4 years and predominantly in male children (54.61%). Therefore, from this study, it can be concluded that ECC is highly prevalent in the maxillary anterior teeth in children.

Oleamide, a Bioactive Compound, Unwittingly Introduced into the Human Body through Some Plastic Food/Beverages and Medicine Containers

The purpose of the study was to investigate the migration of oleamide, a polymer lubricant, and a bioactive compound, from various plastic, marketed containers for food/beverages and medicines into polymer contact liquid. Methanol, food/medicine simulants or real samples were used to extract polymer leachables and extractables. Migrated oleamide into polymer contact liquids was determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). The concentration of oleamide in the extracts of medicinal and insulin syringes was 7351 ng mL−1 and 21,984 ng mL−1, respectively. The leachates of intravenous (i.v.) infusion bottle, medicinal and insulin syringes contained 17 ng mL−1, 12 ng mL−1 and 152 ng mL−1, respectively. Oleamide in the extracts of dummies ranged from 30 to 39 ng mL−1, while in the leachates of baby bottles, from 12 to 23 ng mL−1. Leachates of soft drink bottles contained from 6 to 15 ng mL−1 oleamide, milk bottles from 3 to 9 ng mL−1, liquid yogurt bottles 17 ng mL−1 and water bottles from 11 to 18 ng mL−1. Bottled real matrices of oil and milk contained oleamide in the range from 217 to 293 ng mL−1. Moreover, the source of migrated oleamide (e.g., containers, caps, other parts) was identified. Oleamide is listed in the current EU regulations without a specific migration limit. Accordingly, these values are considered of no concern, unless future toxicological studies prove the opposite.

Illegal commercial promotion of products competing with breastfeeding

OBJECTIVE: To assess if the commercialization of infant formulas, baby bottles, bottle nipples, pacifiers and nipple protectors is performed in compliance with the Norma Brasileira de Comercialização de Alimentos para Lactentes e Crianças de Primeira Infância e de Produtos de Puericultura Correlatos (NBCAL – Brazilian Code of Marketing of Infant and Toddlers Food and Childcare-related products). The commercial promotion of these products is prohibited by the Law 11,265. METHOD: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2017 through a census of all pharmacies, supermarkets and department stores that sold products covered by NBCAL in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. Health professionals trained at NBCAL used structured electronic form for direct observation of establishments and for interviews with their managers. We created indicators to evaluate commercial practices and performed descriptive analyses. RESULTS: A total of 352 commercial establishments were evaluated: 240 pharmacies, 88 supermarkets and 24 department stores, of which 88% sold products whose promotion is prohibited by NBCAL. Illegal commercial promotions were found in 20.3% of the establishments that sold the products we investigated: 52 pharmacies (21.9%), four supermarkets (7.5%) and seven department stores (33.3%). The most frequent commercial promotion strategies were discounts (13.2%) and special exposures (9.3%). The products with the highest prevalence of infractions of NBCAL were infant formulas (16.0%). We interviewed 309 managers of commercial establishments; 50.8% reported unfamiliarity with the law. More than three-quarters of the managers reported having been visited at the establishments by commercial representatives of companies that produce infant formulas. CONCLUSION: More than a fifth of commercial establishments promoted infant formulas, baby bottles and nipples, although this practice has been banned in Brazil for thirty years. We think it is necessary to train those managers. Government agencies must monitor commercial establishments in order to inhibit strategies of persuasion and induction to sales of these products, ensuring mothers’ autonomy in the decision on the feeding of their children.