Increase of breast-feeding in the past decade in Greece, but still low uptake: cross-sectional studies in 2007 and 2017.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate breast-feeding prevalence in Greece in 2007 and 2017, compare breast-feeding indicators and maternity hospital practices between these years, and investigate breast-feeding determinants. DESIGN: Two national cross-sectional studies (2007 and 2017) using systematic cluster sampling of babies with the same sampling design, data collection and analysis methodology. SETTING: Telephone interview with babies' mothers or fathers. PARTICIPANTS: Representative sample of infants who participated in the national neonatal screening programme (n 549 in 2017, n 586 in 2007). RESULTS: We found that breast-feeding indicators were higher in 2017 compared with 10 years before. In 2017, 94 % of mothers initiated breast-feeding. Breast-feeding rates were 80, 56 and 45 % by the end of the 1st, 4th and 6th completed month of age, respectively. At the same ages, 40, 25 and <1 % of babies, respectively, were exclusively breast-feeding. We also found early introduction of solid foods (after the 4th month of age). Maternity hospital practices favouring breast-feeding were more prevalent in 2017, but still suboptimal (63 % experienced rooming-in; 51 % experienced skin-to-skin contact in the first hour after birth; 19 % received free sample of infant formula on discharge). CONCLUSIONS: We observed an increasing trend in all breast-feeding indicators in the past decade in Greece, but breast-feeding rates - particularly rates of exclusive breast-feeding - remain low. Systematic public health initiatives targeted to health professionals and mothers are needed in order to change the prevailing baby feeding 'culture' and successfully implement the WHO recommendations for exclusive breast-feeding during the first 6 months of life.

Perforation of the Cervix by the Strings of an Intrauterine Device (IUD): a Novel Case and Systematic Review of the Literature.

Introduction:Geriatric population is most vulnerable to various emerging communicable and noncommunicable diseases due to various socio-economic, physiological, psychological and nutritional risk factors. Adequate nutritional status is utmost important in older age as it helps in maintaining the immune response and preventing the morbidities and mortalities in this age. Thus, the opportunistic screening of malnutrition among geriatric population gives an extra edge for achievement of healthy ageing in the elderly. The objective of the present study was to assess the nutritional status among the elderly population and provide cut-off values of various anthropometric measurements for detecting the risk of malnutrition among old age people. Materials and methods:A 43-year-old female patient attended the gynecology clinic in order to remove her copper IUD. Speculum examination revealed that both strings of the IUD had perforated the anterior lip of the cervix. Management options were offered and the patient opted for a hysteroscopic removal. We searched several electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and EBSCO, in order to find similar cases. Results:The electronic search yielded 1 821 articles, of which eight were selected for inclusion. The mean age of women was 35.37±7.781 (range 26-47) years. One woman (12.5%) was nulligravida, and three women were multigravida (37.5%). Seven women (87.5%) were asymptomatic. Of all IUDs, three (37.5%) were LNG-IUS and five (62.5%) contained copper. Conclusion:Cervical perforation by the strings of the IUD is an extremely rare clinical entity. It is generally asymptomatic and, in most cases, the strings of the IUD may be returned back to the endocervical canal after surgical maneuvers.