Maternal age at first childbirth has increased in most developed countries in the past 20 years. The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of maternal age at delivery and parity on successful initiation of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). This retrospective study investigated 1193 singleton dyads with vaginal-delivered at 37-42 gestational weeks during January and December in 2011 at one large "Baby-Friendly" certified hospital in Japan. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate individual and combined effects of maternal age and parity on successful initiation of EBF after adjusted for pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, pregnancy complications, mothers' underlying illness, smoking and alcohol drinking habits, gestational week at delivery, child's sex and nurturing support from grandparents. Success rates of EBF at one month after child delivery was 69.4% in primiparous aged ≥ 35 (group A: n = 284), 73.5% in multiparous aged ≥ 35 (group B: n = 268), 74.3% in primiparous aged < 35 (group C: n = 432), and 82.3% in multiparous aged < 35 (group D: n = 209). Older maternal age and primiparous became independently associated with EBF initiation. The combined effect for successful initiation of EBF was the lowest in group A referent to group D both at discharge and at one month (odds ratio (OR) 5.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.0-11.9, and OR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.4-3.4, respectively). Primiparous mothers in late child-bearing aged 35 years or older are at the greatest risk of EBF initiation.

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Japanese apricot (Prunus mume;ume) is a traditional food in Japan that has been shown to have various beneficial health effects. There is some evidence to suggest thatumeis also effective against allergic disease. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological pilot study to examine the association betweenumeintake frequency and allergic symptoms including rhinitis in 563 adults (288 men and 275 women) who resided in Wakayama, Japan. After adjusting for age, present illness and medication, women with highumeintake had significantly lower odds ratio (OR) for the presence of symptoms of allergy [OR: 0.49 with 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.25–0.97]. Therefore, we investigated the anti-allergic effect ofumeon passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized mice. The animal study demonstrated that oral administration ofumeextract attenuated the PCA reaction and mast cell degranulation. Furthermore, RBL-2H3 mast cells were used to identify anti-allergicumecompounds. The followingumecompounds inhibited IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation: vanillin, syringic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, lyoniresinol andp-coumaric acid. These results suggested thatumehas the potential to inhibit mast cell degranulation and may be associated with reduced risk of allergic symptoms in women.

In 1952, the Japanese Society for Hygiene had once passed a resolution at its 22nd symposium on population control, recommending the suppression of population growth based on the idea of cultivating a healthier population in the area of eugenics. Over half a century has now passed since this recommendation; Japan is witnessing an aging of the population (it is estimated that over 65-year-olds made up 27.7% of the population in 2017) and a decline in the birth rate (total fertility rate 1.43 births per woman in 2017) at a rate that is unparalleled in the world; Japan is faced with a “super-aging” society with low birth rate. In 2017, the Society passed a resolution to encourage all scientists to engage in academic researches to address the issue of the declining birth rate that Japan is currently facing. In this commentary, the Society hereby declares that the entire text of the 1952 proposal is revoked and the ideas relating to eugenics is rejected. Since the Society has set up a working group on the issue in 2016, there have been three symposiums, and working group committee members began publishing a series of articles in the Society’s Japanese language journal. This commentary primarily provides an overview of the findings from the published articles, which will form the scientific basis for the Society’s declaration. The areas we covered here included the following: (1) improving the social and work environment to balance between the personal and professional life; (2) proactive education on reproductive health; (3) children’s health begins with nutritional management in women of reproductive age; (4) workplace environment and occupational health; (5) workplace measures to counter the declining birth rate; (6) research into the effect of environmental chemicals on sexual maturity, reproductive function, and the children of next generation; and (7) comprehensive research into the relationship among contemporary society, parental stress, and healthy child-rearing. Based on the seven topics, we will set out a declaration to address Japan’s aging society with low birth rate.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that affects mainly children younger than 5 years.^1-3 It is characterized by a prolonged fever that is unresponsive to antibiotics; a polymorphous rash; erythema of the oral mucosa, lips, tongue, palms, and soles; bilateral conjunctival injection; and cervical lymphadenopathy. Kawasaki disease is often complicated by coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs), and approximately 15% to 25% of untreated children develop coronary artery aneurysms.^1,4 Kawasaki disease is currently the most common cause of pediatric-acquired heart disease in developed countries.^1,5 The primary goal of treatment for the acute phase of KD is to rapidly inhibit the acute-phase systemic inflammatory response in affected patients and successfully prevent the development of CAAs.