Background Since March 2020, the world has been coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. One group particularly affected were mothers of newborns. The Israeli government imposed three lockdowns, with the first from 14 March to 11 May 2020. It had the strictest rules, with effects among mothers including panic and stress. These mothers coped with new challenges as they were often without help from the extended family, could not meet lactation counsellors in person, and stayed longer on maternity leave. Methods A cross-sectional, observational study collected data via an online anonymous survey in Israel. From 27 April 2020 to 11 May 2020, the survey was distributed through Facebook groups for breastfeeding mothers. It contained 32 multiple choice and 10 open questions. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, with adjustment for potential factors, was performed to determine the pandemic-related factors influencing breastfeeding, including the decision to breastfeed longer than planned. Results Five hundred eighty women participated in the survey. Most mothers were over 30, (mean age 32.55), married with an academic degree (81.5%). 127 (22%) women reported changes in their lactation plans. 85 (15%) responded that due to the COVID -19 pandemic they extended their breastfeeding period and 42 (7%) reported shortening it. A significant relationship was found between this extension and returning to work later than expected adjusted OR = 2.38 95% CI 1.46,3.87). When asked to rank steps national health authorities should take to encourage breastfeeding, the highest agreement (96%) was with maternity leave extension. More than 90% believed that receiving breastfeeding counselling at home and/or in hospital will encourage breastfeeding. Conclusions This study demonstrated that most women did not change their breastfeeding patterns because of the lockdown though some did experience difficulties. Some lengthened their breastfeeding period, as, due to the pandemic, they stayed home longer than expected. This finding should be considered for future emergency situations.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it has become a public health need to identify the most common risk factors and pre-existing conditions associated with COVID-19 morbidity and severity. Of the currently identified risk factors in the COVID-19 literature, obesity has become a concern as it is a common pre-existing condition in many populations. It has been observed that people with excessive body weight may experience a more severe course of COVID-19 disease. 1 A connection between obesity and COVID-19 is that COVID-19 disease severity is linked to respiratory dysfunctions, cardiovascular disease and hypertension. These common adverse health outcomes can result from obesity. 2,3 Another connection is that obesity-mediated inflammation can cause alterations to the airways and immune system that can affect the severity of COVID-19 disease for an individual. 3 The overwhelming majority of published literature regarding COVID-19 and obesity has focussed exclusively on adult populations (18+ years of age). The effects of childhood obesity on COVID-19 are not yet adequately understood. The sources that
Results Among children of African American mothers, 87/329 (26.4%) ever had AD while 19/157 (12%) children of White mothers ever had AD. Overall, cord blood 25(OH)D levels were lower in children who ever had AD (geometric means¼GM 30.6 vs 35.6 nmol/l, Wilcoxon Rank Sum¼WRS p¼0.02); but the difference was driven by White children (GM 39.7 vs 50.9 nmol/l, WRS p¼0.036) and not African American children (GM 29.4 vs 29.6 nmol/l, WRS p¼0.81). The association was also modified by season of birth. Lower 25(OH)D levels were found in children with AD born during summer (GM 35.8 vs 45.2, WRS p¼0.02), fall (GM 28.1 vs 33.8, WRS p¼0.036) and winter (GM 30.0 vs 33.7, WRS p¼0.15), but not spring (GM 30.8 vs 31.4, WRS p¼0.90). Conclusion Cord blood vitamin D is associated with AD at 2 years of age in White but not African American children. The association is also influenced by season of birth.
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