Biomedical subjects

B Sarov

Publications and source records attributed to B Sarov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Seroepidemiology and molecular epidemiology of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus among Jewish population groups in Israel.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of classic Kaposi's sarcoma among Jews in Israel is among the highest in the developed world. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or human herpesvirus 8) is causally linked to Kaposi's sarcoma. Very little is known about the prevalence of KSHV in the Middle East or about the modes of transmission in Mediterranean countries. METHODS: From 1992 through 1995, sera were obtained from 1648 adults who had tested positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen 20 years earlier at blood donations; sera were also obtained from 2403 of their family members. All sera were tested for anti-KSHV antibodies with the use of an indirect immunofluorescence assay. To analyze the effects of various factors on the risk of KSHV infection for both the HBV-positive cohort and their families, logistic regression for cluster data and generalized estimating equations were used. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Among family members, the seroprevalence of antibodies against KSHV was 9.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.7% to 11.1%); among the former blood donors who had tested positive for hepatitis B, it was 22% (95% CI = 19.9% to 24.1%). Overall, the best predictor of KSHV status was the place of birth. The most important risk factors found for both husband and wife to test KSHV positive were their own places of birth and their spouse's seropositivity. For a child to test positive, the most important risk factor was maternal seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: The crude prevalence rate of KSHV among the Jewish population in Israel is 9.9%. Important routes of KSHV transmission in the families studied are spouse to spouse and mother to child. The presence of KSHV in Jews in Israel of all ethnic origins and their high incidence of reported Kaposi's sarcoma suggest that KSHV was introduced into the Jewish population prior to the major Diaspora.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Which intercurrent infections are associated with maculopapular cutaneous drug reactions? A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with lymphotrophic viral infections are at increased risk for cutaneous drug reactions (CDRs). However, the association between other intercurrent infections and maculopapular CDRs has not been evaluated by epidemiologic methods. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a case-control study in order to evaluate the exposure to intercurrent infections in patients with maculopapular CDRs. METHODS: Data were obtained through assessment of files of 53 patients hospitalized for maculopapular CDRs in the Department of Dermatology and 159 control patients. Exposure to intercurrent infections was recorded in patients and controls. RESULTS: An intercurrent infectious disease was documented in 31/53 (58.5%) of patients with CDRs, as compared to 12/159 (7.5%) patients in the control group (OR 17.26, 95% CI: 7.24-42.00). Maculopapular CDRs were associated with respiratory tract infections (OR 20.53, 95% CI: 5.20-94.45), and urinary tract infections (OR 20.61, 95% CI: 2.36-465.99), but not with skin infections (OR 3.83, 95% CI: 0.85-17.87) or other infections. CONCLUSIONS: Our study implies that maculopapular CDRs are associated with respiratory tract infections as well as urinary tract infections. Further study is needed to evaluate the role of intercurrent infections in the pathogenesis of CDRs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Prevalence of vectors of the spotted fever group Rickettsiae and murine typhus in a Bedouin town in Israel.

A survey of the vectors of spotted fever group Rickettsiae and of murine typhus was carried out in Rahat, a Bedouin town in the Negev Desert, where the diseases are endemic. Houses with known cases of spotted fever group Rickettsiae or murine typhus were compared with those without reported clinical cases. A neighboring Jewish community, Lehavim, where no cases of spotted fever group Rickettsiae and murine typhus were reported in recent years, was used as a control. In the houses of patients with spotted fever group Rickettsiae in Rahat, an average of 7.4 times more ticks were found than in control houses. Out of 190 ticks isolated from sheep and goats or caught by flagging in Rahat, 90% were Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille), 7.9% Rhipicephalus turanicus Pomerantzev, and 2.1% were Hyalomma sp. In the houses of patients with murine typhus, three times more rats were caught and, on the average, each rat was infested with 2.2 times more fleas than rats in the control houses. Out of 323 fleas collected from 35 Norwegian rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout), 191 were Xenopsylla cheopis Rothschild and 132 Echidnophaga murina Tiraboschi. Thus, there was a six to seven times higher probability of encountering a tick or flea vector where infections had occurred than in control houses in Rahat. The percentage of rats seropositive to Rickettsia typhi was similar in study and control households (78.3 and 76.2, respectively). In the control settlement, Lehavim, only three Mus musculus L. were caught, which were not infested with ectoparasites and their sera were negative for murine typhus. Out of 10 dogs examined in this settlement, 15 R. sanguineus and eight specimens of the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis Bouché) were isolated. No rats were caught in this settlement. These data indicate that there is a correlation among the density of domestic animals, their ectoparasites, and the incidence of spotted fever group Rickettsiae and murine typhus in Rahat.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

The role of trace elements in psoriatic patients undergoing balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt.

BACKGROUND: A beneficial effect was observed in patients with psoriasis vulgaris following balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the possible role of trace elements in the effectiveness of balneotherapy. METHODS: Serum levels of 11 trace elements were analyzed in 23 patients with psoriasis vulgaris who participated in a double-blind controlled study of balneotherapy with either Dead Sea bath salt (12 patients) or common salt (11 patients). Thirteen healthy volunteers served as controls. RESULTS: The mean pre-treatment serum levels of boron, cadmium, lithium and rubidium were significantly lower in patients compared to controls, whereas the mean pre-treatment serum level of manganese was significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt resulted in a significant decrease (P = 0.0051) in the mean serum level of manganese from 0.10 +/- 0.05 mol/L to 0.05 +/- 0.02 mumol/L. The mean reduction in the serum level of manganese differed significantly (P = 0.002) between responders (% Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score reduction > or = 25) and non-responders (% PASI score reduction < 25). Following balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt the mean serum level of lithium decreased in responders by 0.01 +/- 0.02 mumol/L, whereas its level in non-responders increased by 0.03 +/- 0.03 mumol/L. (P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Manganese and lithium may play a role in the effectiveness of balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt for psoriasis.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

HBsAg confirmation: an experimental test.

BACKGROUND: The specificity of HBsAg testing is to be confirmed with antibody blocking to avoid false positive results. OBJECTIVE: To test the experimental HrAb HBsAg-blocking activity and to use this new antibody in the verification of repeatedly reactive HBsAg blood serum samples. STUDY DESIGN: HbsAg screening of three quality control panels was followed by a comparative confirmatory test with commercial HuAb and experimental HrAb. The HrAb was used in subsequent HBsAg confirmation trials. RESULTS: A good agreement in the results obtained using the two antibodies was found, independently of the type of HBsAg neutralization step performed (either preincubation or competitive inhibition). Of the 97 repeatedly reactive HBsAg blood serum samples, 79 were 'confirmed positives'. On repeated confirmations by two antibodies, 13/18 'not confirmed' converted to 'confirmed positives', while the same five samples still remained false positive. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that (1) HrAb is as good as HuAb in HBsAg confirmation and (2) HBsAg confirmatory testing is essential in the laboratory examinations of the HBsAg repeatedly reactive samples.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

Differences in cord serum retinol concentrations by ethnic origin in the Negev (southern Israel).

Subclinical vitamin A deficiency is related to increased morbidity and mortality in infants and children. Previous studies indicate that the traditional diet of Moslem Bedouins, an important ethnic group in Southern Israel, is low in vitamin A content. Cord serum retinol (vitamin A) concentration was measured by HPLC in samples from 251 apparently healthy (birth weight > 2500 g, gestational age > 37 weeks) neonates with no abnormal perinatal events, 138 Jews and 113 Bedouins. Retinol < 15 micrograms/dl was measured in a total of 14% of infants: in 7% of Jewish and 26% of Bedouin newborns (P < 0.001). However, mean cord serum retinol was only slightly lower in Bedouins than in Jews (30 +/- 26 vs. 37 +/- 27 micrograms/dl mean +/- S.D., n.s.). Cord serum retinol was not related to socioeconomic indices. Cord serum retinol < 15 micrograms/dl was measured in 25% and in 12% of infants with birth weight less than and equal or greater than 3000 g, respectively (P = 0.01), and in 28% and 13% of infants with gestational age 37-38 weeks and 39-41 weeks, respectively (P = 0.03). Low cord serum retinol was found to be prevalent in Southern Israel, particularly in Bedouin infants. In the population of healthy neonates studied, very low cord serum retinol concentrations were found more frequently in infants born with a lower weight and/or after a shorter gestation.

Arabs↗

PubMed1995

Altered humoral immunity against cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus without detectable virus antigens and virus-DNA in the glomeruli of patients with IGA nephropathy in remission phase.

Herpes viruses, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), very often occur in the nasopharynx. A pathogenetic role of these viruses in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgA NP) is a challenging hypothesis, since upper respiratory tract infections are frequently and closely related in time to the acute episodes of IgA NP. However, conflicting reports have been published in this field. We compared the IgA and IgG antibody (AB) titres against cytomegalovirus (CMV) in sera of 41 IgANP patients with 80 healthy controls. The prevalence rates of CMV-IgA and CMV-IgG AB were significantly higher in patients with IgA NP than in healthy controls (CMV-IgA, titre > = 8, p < 0.001; CMV-IgG, titre > = 16, p < 0.05). There was also a significant difference in the concentration of CMV-IgA AB between IgANP patients and controls (IgA NP: 0.34 +/- 0.66, healthy controls: 0.06 +/- 0.33, mean +/- SD, p = < 0.002), but not in the concentration of CMV-IgG AB between NP patients and controls. While examining 60 patients with IgA NP and 75 healthy controls a significantly elevated prevalence rate of IgA AB against EBV capsid antigen (EBV-VCA) was also detected in the sera of IgA NP patients vs controls (titre > = 16; p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of IgG AB to EBV-VCA between patients with IgA NP and healthy controls, except at titre = 1024 (p < 0.05). At a follow-up, CMV-IgA persisted in 4 of 5, and EBV-VCA-IgA in 8 of 12 seropositive patients with IgA NP. We could not detect virus antigens or virus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the glomeruli of NP patients either with immunohistology using a monoclonal antibody or with the DNA in situ hybridization technique.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1995

The significance of serum IgM IgA and IgG antibodies specific for Epstein-Barr virus as determined by immunoperoxidase assay in the rapid diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis.

The feasibility of using serum IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies specific to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA), as determined by immunoperoxidase assay (IPA), for the early diagnosis of mononucleosis was evaluated in 65 patients with infectious mononucleosis (IMN). Control groups consisted of 104 healthy students and 15 cytomegalovirus-infected patients. In the first serum sample obtained upon admission, IgM antibodies (titer > or = 64) to EBV VCA were found in 64 of the 65 IMN patients (98%), while EBV-VCA IgA antibodies (titer > or = 32) were found in 32 patients (49%). In those particular titers, no EBV-VCA IgM or IgA antibodies were found in any of the control sera. EBV-VCA-specific IgM antibodies were also not detected in any of the 15 patients with cytomegalovirus infection. In sera obtained from IMN patients within 10 days of the onset of symptoms, 18 of 19 (95%) were IgM seropositive. This study demonstrates that serum EBV-VCA IgM antibodies (titer > or = 64) as determined by IPA are highly specific (100%) and highly sensitive (98%) and can be of value for the early and rapid diagnosis of EBV-IMN infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Chlamydia trachomatis and HIV infection.

To study the interactions between Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, we examined CT serologies in sequential serum samples of male homosexuals (MHS), followed over a mean period of 4 years. Of the MHS studied, 77 were HIV(-), 18 were HIV(+) and 10 patients seroconverted during the study period. Seventy matched heterosexual controls were tested concomitantly. CT-specific antibodies of both IgG and IgA isotypes were determined by an immunoperoxidase assay, indicating past and active infection respectively. Anti-CT IgG was frequently observed in both HIV(-) and HIV(+) MHS (40-50% vs. 23% of controls) and IgA antibodies were also common in both MHS groups (15-20% vs. 1.5% of controls). After HIV infection, no increase in CT antibodies occurred. We found serological data suggestive of active CT infection preceding seroconversion in 3 of 10 seroconverters vs. 5% of matched MHS controls who remained HIV(-) (P < 0.025), indicating a possible effect of CT infection on the acquisition of HIV should be further studied.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1993

Persistence of antichlamydial antibodies after treatment of acute salpingitis with doxycycline.

The effect of treatment with doxycycline on serum IgG and IgA antichlamydial antibodies was evaluated in 33 women who had had acute salpingitis associated with high titers of serum IgG (> or = 1:128) and/or IgA (> or = 1:16) antichlamydial antibodies. Overall, 29 women (87.9%) remained with high titers of IgG and/or IgA antibodies. No change or insignificant change in IgG antibody titer was demonstrated in 21 women (63.6%) and in IgA antibody titer in 21 women (63.6%). Positive seroconversion or a significant increase (> or = 4-fold) in IgG antibody titer was demonstrated in eight women (24.2%) and in IgA antibody titer in six women (18.1%). Negative seroconversion or a significant decrease in IgG antibody titer was demonstrated in four women (12.1%) and in IgA antibody titer in six women (18.1%). It is concluded that in most patients who had acute salpingitis associated with pretreatment high titers of serum antichlamydial antibodies, posttreatment titers may remain high even if treatment with doxycycline results in complete resolution of clinical signs and symptoms of the disease.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1993

Ecological studies on the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) in southern Israel and its relationship to spotted fever group rickettsiae.

An outbreak of spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) was investigated by studying free-living and parasitic stages of ticks in two settlements of equal size and population located 20 km apart in the Negev Desert. Although high morbidity from SFGR was found in one of the settlements (Kibbutz Ze'elim), no clinical cases were observed in the second (Kibbutz Re'im). Using flagging and CO2-trapping, approximately 9 times more ticks were collected in Ze'elim than in Re'im. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) was the dominant species in Ze'elim, whereas in Re'im R. turanicus Pomerantzev was the most abundant species. Several physical factors that may account for these differences were investigated. Significantly higher maximum soil temperature as well as ambient temperature above the soil were found in Ze'elim. Differences in soil composition in the two sites were also observed. Tick numbers were especially high during April through October in Ze'elim, whereas in Re'im, ticks were found mainly from April to July. A significant positive correlation was found between temperature and tick population size in Ze'elim. Dogs, sheep, goats, Mus musculus, and Meriones crassus, were more heavily infested with ticks in Ze'elim than in Re'im. The percentage of mice and dogs seropositive to SFGR was the same in both sites. In Ze'elim, 7.1% of dog owners acquired Mediterranean spotted fever during the period 1984-1989 compared with only 1.4% of people without dogs.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Serum and salivary responses to oral tetravalent reassortant rotavirus vaccine in newborns.

Serum and salivary responses of 95 infants to either a standard (4 x 10(4) plaque-forming units (PFU), 47 neonates) or a high dose (4 x 10(5) PFU, 48 neonates) of tetravalent reassortant rhesus rotavirus vaccine (administered at 2 days and at 6 weeks of age) were evaluated in a double-blind clinical trial. Serum and salivary IgA antibodies to the rotavirus group A common antigen were determined by ELISA and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Serum neutralizing antibodies to rhesus rotavirus were determined by fluorescent focus reduction assay. No significant differences in responses to the high versus standard dose were noted in serum or saliva. Response was influenced by cord blood antibodies. All infants who were cord blood-negative for rhesus rotavirus neutralizing antibodies (nine who received the standard dose and 20 who received the higher dose) had serum responses, compared with 42-70% of those who were cord blood-positive. The serum response rate recorded for babies with cord blood neutralizing titres > 1000 was 44%. Infants being bottle fed had a higher serum response rate than did babies being breast fed exclusively. If serum and salivary responses were combined, the response rate reached 80% for bottle fed infants. Thus, determination of serum responses alone underestimates vaccine 'take' in infants, and more so in highly endemic areas than in areas subject only to sporadic outbreaks. However, determination of salivary responses in newborn breastfed infants may be inaccurate, due to possible persistence of antibodies derived from colostrum or breast milk.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMed1993

Serum reactivity to Chlamydia trachomatis and C. pneumoniae antigens in patients with documented infection and in healthy children by microimmunofluorescence and immunoblotting techniques.

Chlamydia trachomatis and C. pneumoniae are both important human pathogens. Antigenic cross-reactivity between the two species may complicate serologic diagnosis of infection with one or the other agent. In this study we examined sera of persons with chlamydia infections and of healthy children by microimmunofluorescence (MIF) against C. trachomatis L2 antigen and against C. pneumoniae TW-183 antigen to explore the degree of cross-reactivity found by these two methods. Likewise, the cross-reactivity seen by immunoblot with sera of rabbits immunized against one of the antigens when tested on the other was examined. While among healthy children stratified by age, MIF seropositivity to C. pneumoniae TW-183 increased with age, no such trend was observed with respect to seropositivity to C. trachomatis L2 antigens, and 81% of children seropositive to TW-183 did not react on L2 antigen. Moreover, 27% of those positive on L2 antigen were negative on TW-183. Immunoblot analysis showed much greater antibody cross-reactivity than that detected by MIF. The immunoblot cross-reactivity was probably not attributable solely to double infection since sera of rabbits immunized to only one species of chlamydia reacted strongly with both chlamydiae in immunoblot analysis. The data presented need to be taken into account in the development of serologic tests based on a small number of antigens or on partially denatured antigens.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

The long term follow-up of asymptomatic women with Chlamydia trachomatis.

A community oriented intervention program was initiated in 1985 in 12 rural communities in southern Israel to identify and treat women of reproductive age with markers of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection. Among 860 women tested, 21 (2.4%) had CT IgG antibody titers greater than or equal to 128, or CT IgA antibody titers greater than or equal to 16, and 9 of these women had positive cultures for CT. The 21 women, as well as their male partners, received specific anti-CT treatment, and were followed up for 5 years to assess obstetric complications, and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. In 9 women positive cultures became negative. In 13 out of the 17 cases with sequential follow-up a four fold decrease in IgG specific antibody titers was observed. Yet, in all but two of the cases, IgA specific antibody titers remained greater than or equal to 16.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Factors influencing milk insufficiency and its long-term health effects: the Bedouin Infant Feeding Study.

Women who breastfeed have frequently reported milk insufficiency as the reason for introducing the bottle, but no one has addressed its potential long-term health effects. This paper described the factors associated with milk insufficiency versus another reason for introducing the bottle and its potential health effects based on an analysis of a prospective cohort study of 1005 Bedouin Arab women who delivered healthy newborns in 1981 and 1982. By two months postpartum, 72% introduced the infant to the bottle with 72% reporting milk insufficiency as the reason for introducing the bottle. The percentage of milk insufficiency declined with increasing age of the infant. Based on multiple logistic regression analyses, birth season was statistically significantly associated with the odds ratio (OR) of milk insufficiency versus another reason for introducing the bottle during the first two months. Women who delivered in the spring-summer had an increased OR = 1.65 of reported milk insufficiency compared with those who delivered during the rest of the year. Parity was directly related to the OR = 1.04 of milk insufficiency (but just missed significance) during one to two months and was statistically significantly associated with the OR = 1.12 of reported milk insufficiency during 3-18 months. The rates of stunting after the infant was introduced to the bottle and the duration of breastfeeding did not differ by reason for introducing the bottle. Thus the high frequency of reported milk insufficiency was not associated with adverse health effects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Safety and immunogenicity of oral tetravalent human-rhesus reassortant rotavirus vaccine in neonates.

We conducted a prospective randomized double blind study to determine: (1) the safety and immunogenicity of live oral tetravalent human-rhesus rotavirus reassortant vaccine in neonates; and (2) whether a second dose at the age of 6 to 8 weeks enhances the immunogenicity. Two hundred forty healthy neonates were enrolled and received vaccine (183) or placebo (57) on the second day of life. At the age of 6 to 8 weeks 133 received placebo and 88 received a second dose of vaccine. Medical events were noted within 10 days from vaccine administration in 6 of 183 (3.3%) vaccine recipients vs. 0 of 57 placebo recipients (P = 0.34) after the first dose and in 8 of 88 (9%) vs. 4 of 133 (3%) after the second dose (P = 0.069); none was severe and all were of short duration. Seroresponse of any type (detectable IgA or 4-fold increase of titer to rhesus rotavirus was 9% for the placebo, vs. 52 and 46% for those who received one and two doses of vaccine, respectively. However, neutralizing antibodies against human serotypes 1, 2 and 3 were not raised successfully in vaccinated infants when compared with placebo recipients. The same pattern was found when geometric mean titers were compared. Vaccine take was better when cord blood titers were low. At the age of 1 year the vaccinees had more often high titers for antirhesus rotavirus antibodies (> 640) than the placebo recipients (49% vs. 0%; P < 0.001). NO difference was found between the groups in neutralizing antibodies to human serotypes 1, 2 and 3 rotavirus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1992

Human and tick spotted fever group Rickettsia isolates from Israel: a genotypic analysis.

The genomes of spotted fever group rickettsiae isolated in different geographical areas of Israel (two from ticks and four from humans, obtained over a span of 20 years) were studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction endonuclease fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The human isolates were obtained from patients suffering from rickettsial disease of different degrees of severity. The PCR products obtained with five pairs of oligonucleotide primers (two primer sets derived from the 190-kDa polypeptide gene and three from the 120-kDa polypeptide gene) and cleaved with restriction endonucleases were used to study the Israeli isolates and reference Rickettsia conorii isolates. Subtle differences between the PCR-RFLP patterns of Israeli isolates and the two R. conorii reference strains (Moroccan and no. 7) were seen when the PCR products derived from the 190-kDa gene-derived primer sets were digested. All of the Israeli isolates were identical by RFLP analysis using all of the primer sets. This study showed that the Israeli spotted fever group isolates (from both ticks and humans) were genetically homogeneous by the criteria used in this study, despite the time and location differences in their original isolation, and different as a group from R. conorii.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Maternal recall of infant feeding events is accurate.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Retrospective infant feeding data are important to the study of child and adult health patterns. The accuracy of maternal recall of past infant feeding events was examined and specifically the infant's age when breast feeding was stopped and formula feeding and solid foods were introduced. DESIGN AND SETTING: The sample consisted of Bedouin Arab women (n = 318) living in the Negev in Israel who were a part of a larger cohort participating in a prospective study of infant health and who were delivered of their infants between July 1 and December 15, 1981. Data from interviews conducted 12 and 18 months postpartum were compared to the standard data collected six months postpartum. MAIN RESULTS: As length of recall increased there was a small increase in the mean difference, and its standard deviation, between the standard and recalled age when breast feeding was stopped and formula feeding and solid foods were started. Recall on formula feeding was less accurate than recall on solid foods and breast feeding. In particular, among those 61% reporting formula use at the six month interview, 51% did not recall introducing formula when interviewed at 18 months. The odds ratio (95% CI) of stunting versus normal length for age for formula fed versus breast fed infants based on recall data (OR = 2.07; 95% CI 0.82-5.22) differed only slightly from those based on the standard data (OR = 2.21; 95% CI 0.77-6.37). The accuracy of a mother's recall varied with her child's nutritional status at the time of the interview, but not with other sociodemographic, infant, or interviewer characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Retrospective infant feeding data based on maternal recall of events up to 18 months in the past can be used with confidence in epidemiological studies. However, data on formula feeding may not be as accurate as data on breast feeding and solid food feeding, and accuracy may decrease as length of recall increases.

Bottle Feeding↗