Aim: To assess breastfeeding practices, focusing on the prevalence and the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay. Methods: A cross‐sectional study of 1603 healthy women, who delivered healthy infants weighing more than 2500 g, was conducted in the area of Athens, Greece. Participants completed a self‐administered questionnaire on the day they were discharged from the maternity ward. Classification of breastfeeding and recall period from birth to discharge were in accordance with the WHO criteria. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis was used to study determinants of exclusive breastfeeding initiation. Results: Breastfeeding initiation was reported by 96.1% of the participants. However, exclusive breastfeeding was initiated only in 19.1% and predominant breastfeeding in 7.2% of the cases. The univariate analysis showed that maternal younger age, low educational level, unemployment, vaginal delivery, infant birthweight >3000 g, multiparity, early initiation of breastfeeding, rooming‐in and awareness on the existence of breastfeeding centres were associated with higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Logistic regression analysis revealed that rooming‐in (OR 3.72, p<0.01), demand feeding (OR 2.18, p<0.01), type of delivery (OR 1.61, p<0.01) and the source of information received about breastfeeding are more important determinants of exclusive breastfeeding than the socio‐demographic parameters. Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay in the area of Athens is low. Demand feeding and rooming‐in positively influence exclusive breastfeeding initiation, while caesarean section and information by mass media have a negative impact.

Exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay in the area of Athens is low. Demand feeding and rooming-in positively influence exclusive breastfeeding initiation, while caesarean section and information by mass media have a negative impact.

Purpose: The purpose of this observational study was to examine the incidence of exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) in a 246-km continuous ultra-marathon.Methods: Over 2 years, 63 male finishers of the annual Spartathlon ultra-marathon foot race from Athens to Sparta, Greece were included in the data analysis. A blood sample was drawn from an antecubital vein the day before the race as well as within 15 min post-race and analyzed for sodium concentration. During the second year of data collection, blood was also drawn at the 93-km checkpoint (n = 29). Height and weight were measured pre and post-race.Results: Mean race time of all subjects was 33 ± 3 h with a range of 23.5 and 36.0 h. Of the 63 finishers recruited, nine began the race with values indicative of mild hyponatremia. Seven runners were classified as hyponatremic at the 93-km checkpoint, three of whom had sodium levels of severe hyponatremia. After the race, 41 total finishers (65%) developed either mild (n = 27, 43%) or severe hyponatremia (n = 14, 22%). Mean change in bodyweight percentage and serum sodium from pre-race to post-race was −3.6 ± 2.7% (−2.5 ± 1.9 kg) and −6.6 ± 5.6 mmol·L−1, respectively. Pre-race serum sodium level was not a significant predictor of post-race serum sodium levels (β = 0.08, R2 = 0.07, P = 0.698), however, there was a significant negative association between change in bodyweight percentage and post-race serum sodium concentration (β = −0.79, R2 = 0.29, P = 0.011).Conclusion: The incidence of EAH of 52 and 65%, when excluding or including these individuals with pre-race hyponatremia, was the highest reported in current literature.

Endometriosis is a very common benign condition affecting fertility and quality of life. Different methods, either definitive or fertility sparing are used for its management by using open, laparoscopic, and robotic techniques. This is a literature review presenting the role and the advantages of robotic surgery in endometriosis. Such a management is effective, safe, and feasible in hands of well-trained multidisciplinary teams even for severe cases of endometriosis.