AbstractsObjective: Little is known about the prevalence of nutritional supplement use in European adolescents. We conducted the present study to analyse the prevalence of nutritional supplement use and factors associated with this use among Slovenian adolescents. Design: The nutritional supplementation practices of 818 adolescents were studied using an anonymous questionnaire. Information was sought on the type of supplements used, frequency of use and sources of information. Setting: The region of north-west Slovenia. Subjects: Schoolchildren from twenty primary schools and twelve secondary schools. Results: Some 19?3% of all adolescents reported using at least one nutritional supplement and the prevalence of use was significantly higher in adolescents who were members of sports clubs. Multivitamins were the most common nutritional supplement. Older adolescents were significantly more likely to be supplementing with iron, protein and minerals. Less than 16 % of supplement users in our study sought information from health-care professionals. Nearly 62 % obtained information from parents and coaches, and many adolescents appear to decide on nutritional supplementation themselves, without advice. Older adolescents were significantly more likely to combine supplements than younger adolescents. Conclusions: One-fifth of Slovenian adolescents use nutritional supplements. There are clear differences in supplement use between younger (age 12 years) and older (age 17 years) adolescents. Multiple use of supplements, coupled with self-managed supplementation in older adolescents, is concerning. Hence, there is an urgent need to provide accurate information regarding nutritional supplements, which will help adolescents, their parents and coaches to make informed choices about their use.

BACKGROUND In pediatric ages, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) allows allergic children to approach the inhaling desensitizing therapy. However, SLIT causes quite a few compliance problems and sometimes it is difficult to carry it out for the required long term. The alternative is subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), commonly performed with a syringe. This technique hasn't changed much in time and it is not without risks or discomfort. This has led to the search for alternative ways of vaccine administration, in order to reduce discomfort to children by improving compliance and diminishing the potential risks of adverse reactions. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to assess the patient's perceived pain and the safety of a new way of administration of SCIT, with a needleless device. METHODS Children with grass or mite-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and/ or bronchial asthma were prescribed a glutaraldehyde-polymerized allergenic extract (Allergovac Polymeryzed®, Bial Aristegui, Italy). Each dose was divided in two parts: half injected with the traditional syringe (dose A), half in the other arm with a needleless device (Injex, Greytree, Ross on Wye, UK; dose B). Patients were blindfolded. The perceived pain and the difficulties of the procedure were registered on a dedicated VAS scale immediately (time 1) and 20 minutes after the first injection (time 20). Also, we evaluated the occurrence of occasional adverse events during such procedure and we assessed the perceived difficulty by the doctor administering with such method. RESULTS 39 patients, aged 5-18 years, were recruited and assessed. All patients completed the study, which involved 468 grass pollen AIT SCIT doses, of which 234 with needleless device. At time 1, the use of the needleless device led to an 88% reduction of the pain perception average rate (from 16,8 to 1,97). The difficulty for the technician to make the inoculum was also analyzed (expressed by an increasing rate, from 0 to 4). In all 6 doses, for each child, the difficulty rate 2 relates to an almost constant number of patients, while the highest difficulty rates (grade 3 and grade 4) gradually decrease (until they disappear). CONCLUSIONS The vaccine administration with needleless device has various advantages and it ensures a better acceptance in comparison with administration by traditional SCIT. This is important in order to start the immunotherapy at an early stage, as it is recommended by the most recent studies, so that the natural evolution of the allergic disease can be immediately modified. The new technique ensures a higher safety both for the vaccinator and for the patient, with a better acceptance of the procedure by the patient and therefore a better and wider compliance to the vaccination schedules.