Eating behaviour and weight status at 2 years of age: data from the Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: To conduct an analysis of associations between eating behaviours and weight status in 2-year-old children. Subjects/Methods: Data were collected prospectively in the maternal-infant dyad Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study. The weight status of children aged 2 years (n=1189) was assigned using the International Obesity Task Force BMI cutoffs using measured heights and weights. Eating behaviours were assessed using the Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). Results: Eighty percent of children were of normal weight, 14% were overweight or obese and 6% were underweight. From the CEBQ, food approach behaviours including Enjoyment of Food (odds ratio (OR)=1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.46–2.48) and Food Responsiveness (OR=1.73, 95% CI=1.47–2.03) were associated with overweight/obesity (all P<0.001). The food avoidant behaviours of Satiety Responsiveness (OR=2.03, 95% CI=1.38–2.98) and Slowness in Eating (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.01–2.04) were associated with underweight at 2 years (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Eating behaviours are associated with weight status as early as 2 years of age

Iron intakes and status of 2-year-old children in the Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study

Young children are at risk of iron deficiency and subsequent anaemia, resulting in long‐term consequences for cognitive, motor and behavioural development. This study aimed to describe the iron intakes, status and determinants of status in 2‐year‐old children. Data were collected prospectively in the mother–child Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study from 15 weeks' gestation throughout early childhood. At the 24‐month assessment, serum ferritin, haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume were measured, and food/nutrient intake data were collected using a 2‐day weighed food diary. Iron status was assessed in 729 children (median [IQR] age: 2.1 [2.1, 2.2] years) and 468 completed a food diary. From the food diary, mean (SD) iron intakes were 6.8 (2.6) mg/day and 30% had intakes < UK Estimated Average Requirement (5.3 mg/day). Using WHO definitions, iron deficiency was observed in 4.6% (n = 31) and iron deficiency anaemia in five children (1.0%). Following an iron series workup, five more children were diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia. Twenty‐one per cent had ferritin concentrations <15 µg/L. Inadequate iron intakes (OR [95% CI]: 1.94 [1.09, 3.48]) and unmodified cows' milk intakes ≥ 400 mL/day (1.95 [1.07, 3.56]) increased the risk of low iron status. Iron‐fortified formula consumption was associated with decreased risk (0.21 [0.11, 0.41] P < 0.05). In this, the largest study in toddlers in Europe, a lower prevalence of low iron status was observed than in previous reports. Compliance with dietary recommendations to limit cows' milk intakes in young children and consumption of iron‐fortified products appears to have contributed to improved iron status at two years

Underreporting of Death Certification in a University Teaching Hospital – A Hospital Based Study in Ireland

Summary: Background: Death certificates are frequently used as the source for epidemiological data on the prevalence of diseases. We postulated that comorbidities may be under-documented, particularly in older patients with multiple coexisting conditions. Methods: Death certificates completed during a six-month period notification forms completed between January and June 2016 To investigate the accuracy of death certificate completion in Galway University Hospital, with specific emphasis on accurate documentation of common comorbidities. A retrospective review of and comparison with the deceased patients' casenotes. All death certificates were divided into those relating to patients aged over and under 75 years. Death certificates were examined for accuracy and documentation of comorbidities and these, (and the number of omissions) were compared with the actual diagnoses documented in the patients' casenotes. Results: The cause of death was accurately documented in all Death Certificates. Overall, comorbidities were more common and omissions were more frequent in the older group compared with the younger cohort, with at least one comorbidity omitted in 71% of death certificates versus 56% (p = 0.0481). For individual diagnoses, under-documentation rates were similar in both age-groups. Conclusions: While the actual cause of death was accurately completed in the death certificates reviewed in this audit, the majority of certificates in both age groups omitted one or more important comorbidity. This result may be due to an inappropriate over-emphasis in training on accurate documentation of the correct cause of death. Keywords: death certificates, omissions, documentation, inaccurac

Eating behaviour and weight status at 2 years of age: data from the Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: To conduct an analysis of associations between eating behaviours and weight status in 2-year-old children. Subjects/Methods: Data were collected prospectively in the maternal-infant dyad Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study. The weight status of children aged 2 years (n=1189) was assigned using the International Obesity Task Force BMI cutoffs using measured heights and weights. Eating behaviours were assessed using the Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). Results: Eighty percent of children were of normal weight, 14% were overweight or obese and 6% were underweight. From the CEBQ, food approach behaviours including Enjoyment of Food (odds ratio (OR)=1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.46–2.48) and Food Responsiveness (OR=1.73, 95% CI=1.47–2.03) were associated with overweight/obesity (all P<0.001). The food avoidant behaviours of Satiety Responsiveness (OR=2.03, 95% CI=1.38–2.98) and Slowness in Eating (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.01–2.04) were associated with underweight at 2 years (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Eating behaviours are associated with weight status as early as 2 years of age