Change in levothyroxine requirements after bariatric surgery in patients with hypothyroidism.

Objectives. This study aims to evaluate the need to modify the total and weight-adjusted doses of levothyroxine after bariatric surgery, identify predictors, and assess the influence of the weight loss on the levothyroxine requirements. Methods. A retrospective study in patients with treated hypothyroidism that underwent bariatric surgery. The modification of the levothyroxine dose and its association with the weight loss and other potential predictors were evaluated at 6, 12, and 24 months post-surgery. Results. Among the 63 patients included, 82.54% needed an adjustment of levothyroxine dose during the follow-up. The total weekly dose of levothyroxine (µg) decreased post-surgery at 6 months (ß= -49.1; 95%CI-93.7 to -4.5; p=0.031) and 12 months (ß=-54.9; 95%CI-102 to -7.8; p=0.022), but did not significantly change at 24 months (p=0.114). The weekly weight-adjusted dose (µg/k) increased at 6 months (ß=1.37; 95%CI 0.91 to 1.83; p<0.001), 12 months (ß=2.05; 95%CI 1.43 to 2.67; p<0.001), and 24 months (ß=2.52; 95%CI 1.74 to 3.30; p<0.001). The weight loss showed association with the weight-adjusted dose (OR=1.07; 95%CI 1.02 to 1.12; p=0.004), but not the total dose (p=0.320). Conclusions. This study shows a significant decrease in the total dose of levothyroxine requirements change after bariatric surgery during the first year of the follow-up and an increase in the weight-adjusted dose over the first two years. No predictors of modification of the total dose of levothyroxine were identified.

Does breastfeeding protect children from COVID-19? An observational study from pediatric services in Majorca, Spain.

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that children who had been breastfed remain better protected against various infections, and notably respiratory tract infections, well beyond infancy. Since the role of breastfeeding to explain why children are less affected by COVID-19 has not been studied until now, the aim of this study was to determine whether any history of breastfeeding reduces the incidence rate of COVID-19 in children. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of an observational study on clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric COVID-19 in Majorca. A total of 691 children were recruited during the 5 months of August-December 2020. Eligible participants were children under 14 who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric emergency services. The independent explanatory variable was any breastfeeding. Bivariate analyses were conducted through the Chi-square test, the Fisher's Exact test or the Student's T test. All children had the same demographic, epidemiological and clinical data collected through a study team member interview and via the participants medical records. RESULTS: Within the sample of children who visited emergency services with symptoms of potential COVID-19, we found higher prevalence of positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results among those who were exclusively formula fed compared with those who were ever breastfed (OR 2.48; 95% CI 1.45, 3.51; P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that ever breastfeeding reduces the risk of COVID-19 among children, as documented for other infections.