Journal of Pediatric Perspectives
Year:2014 | Volume:2 | Issue:1-4 (10)|Papers Count:14

Introduction: Inadequate intake of breast milk in the first days of life leads to weight loss in neonates. Jaundice is also more prominent in these infants. In this cross-sectional study, we tried to evaluate the extent of weight loss in term breastfed infants who were hospitalized for idiopathic hyperbilirubinemia.Materials and Methods: This prospective cross sectional study involved 1072 infants>48 hours old, who were admitted to Ghaem Hospital of Mashhad-Iran, with idiopathic hyperbilirubinemia, between may 2007 - 2013. Infants were divided into two groups based on the amount of weight loss. Case groups (>7% weight loss) and control (weight loss£7%). The profile of maternal and neonatal risk factors were compared between them.Results: Average birth weight, gestational age, mode of delivery, maternal age, duration of mother's stay at hospital did not show any significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). Age at presentation, weight on admission, extent of weight loss, percentage of daily weight loss, duration of neonatal hospitalization, age at onset of hyperbilirubinemia, serum bilirubin and hematocrit levels were significantly different between two groups (p<0.05).Conclusion: According to this study's findings, about one thirds of neonates presenting with idiopathic hyperbilirubinemia, had severe weight loss and hyperbilirubinemia was also more severe in this group. The average weight loss in the neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia (>20 mg/dl) was three times that of moderate hyperbilirubinemia (<20 mg/dl).

Endoscopic examination of gastrointestinal (GI) system is a diagnostic and therapeutic instrument in children. Endoscopy usually encounters some difficulties because of intensive and spastic response of GI muscles during endoscopic examination. So this study aimed to assess the effect of peppermint essence on satisfaction of patient and therapeutic team during endoscopic examination.Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 120 children less than 14 years who affected to pyloric spasm under endoscopy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Control group (n=60) received placebo and case group (n=60) received peppermint essence. Data were analyzed by descriptive- analytic (Mann–whitney test, T-test, correlation) statistics and using SPSS 11.5.Results: More than half of case group (73.3%) were satisfied with endoscopy process, while 51.6% of control group were dissatisfied. Mean of endoscopy duration time was 9.30±0.35 min in peppermint group and 10.14±0.34 min in control group; which it had a significant difference in two groups (P<0.05). Mean duration time of pylorus spasm relaxation was less than 60s in case group, while it took time more than 60s in 60% of control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Findings showed that peppermint administration to children during endoscopy caused to improve satisfaction of endoscopy team. It also caused to reduce duration time of endoscopy and pyloric spasm.

Introduction: Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin solved in water that acts as a helper of some the enzymes in the reactions of energy metabolism. Thus, the study aims to investigate the use of supplemental ascorbic acid on the aerobic and anaerobic capacity of the children.Materials and Methods: Participants of this quasi-experimental study were 18 children in Esfahan who were randomly selected and divided into 9 groups in pair (Aerobic exercise group and the control group). For 10 days before the start of the main trial, the participants in the control group received placebo and the experimental group received ascorbic acid. The average aerobic capacity was measured before and after 10 days of the use of ascorbic acid. The results were analyzed by SPSS version 18.Results: Before and after 10 days of the use of ascorbic acid, the mean and standard deviation of the aerobic capacity of the experimental group were respectively (3.59±0.38) and (4.23±0.77) and of the control group, were (3.7±0.40) and (3.7±0.53) respectively. Therefore, there was a significant relationship between the use of ascorbic acid and placebo in terms of aerobic capacity (p≤0.05).Conclusion: Results of the study indicated that the use of supplemental ascorbic acid would lead to increase the children’s aerobic capacity. Therefore, the footballer children with no prior planning and no appropriate physical fitness who had to be involved in a heavy physical activity could use the results in order to decrease the consequences of a sudden involvement in a heavy physical activity.

Introduction: Proponents of the behavioral model believe that children with autism in access to capabilities in achieving love, empathy, language and creative thinking, have significant fundamental defects. Instead model-based development of individual differences relationship offers a new approach in the etiology and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Methods and Materials: This study is a descriptive survey with 40 children 4 to 6 years with ASD who were selected with available sampling of official training centers for autism in Mashhad-Iran, also, 40 normal children were selected as a comparison group. Data were analyzed with spss16 software. Results: Autistic children at the ability to regulate attention, attraction and interest in human relations; exchange of desires, intentions and thoughts with others, shaping ideas and the ability to think logically, have a lower mean and no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P<0.05). There was a significant relationship between the frequency observed in autistic children and normal children at the functional domains of emotional development (P<0.05). Also, 57.5% of autistic children were seriously deficient in the above capabilities and none of them were placed in the higher range; while 95% of normal children were in the range of moderate to high. Conclusion: Autistic children in the early stages of functional emotional development had serious defects and the difference, increased a the higher levels of development. This can be verified the evolution of language development and logical thinking and knowledge of the subject, can be effective in the early detection and treatment of this disorder.

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease. Genetic and environmental factors have been important role in the induction of asthma. It's estimated that asthma affect 2.7 to 35.4% of children (in average 13.4%) in Iran. The aims of this study to assess the costs of asthma patients admitted in Boali Hospital in the North of Iran, Sari.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out in asthma patients one to twenty years old that were admitted in the Boali Hospital in Sari, from 2008 to 2012. Out of 455 folders, 22 folders excluded, because they were incomplete registrations.Results: Out of 432 patients, 280 patients (64.81%) were male.349 patients were 1-5 years old (80.78%). Average annual cost in our asthmatic patients was 1, 219, 064 Rials (Iran currency) ($ 121.9) per patient; 1.183.655 Rials ($ 118.3) for men and 1.284.789 Rials ($ 128.5) for female patient respectively.Conclusions: Our study showed asthma disease has been significantly cost for patient, family and country.

In early typical language development, children understand words before they are able to use them in speech. Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) generally show impairments in both the comprehension and the production of language. However, the relative degree of delay or impairment in each of these sub-domains may also be atypical and remains less well-understood.Materials and Methods: This study was a causal-comparative with 30 children (15 girls and 15 boys) with ASD and 30 normal children (15 girls and 15 boys) of 3 kindergartens of Mashhad, and children were elected with random sampling. Kindergartens were selected of areas (1, 4, 6) of Mashhad-Iran. Data analysis was done usingSPSS16 and t-student test.Results: Results of t- tests showed significant differences between the two groups, autistic and normal children in the expressive language skill, cognitive and received language skill (P<0.05). There is a big difference between the mean scores of Newsha test in subjects with autism compared to standard scores.Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, the language disorder in children with autism compared to normal children is significantly higher.

Introduction: The mood disorders such as depression are the most common mental disorders among individuals. In addition to, girls’ students as a group at high risk are known for developing this disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of perfectionism and stressful life events in predicting disordered depression symptoms among girls’ students.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study on 344 girl students of Tehran’s high schools, who were selected by multiple cluster sampling, was conducted. Participants responded to the questionnaires of perfectionism of Besharat (2004), stressful life events of Lovibond and Lovibond (1995) and depression symptoms of Costello and Comrey (1967). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression.Results: Results showed that there were significant internal correlations among perfectionism, stressful life events and depression symptoms (p<0.01). Also, stepwise regression analysis indicated that perfectionism and stressful life events significantly predicted, respectively, 19% and 34% of the variance of depression symptoms (p<0.01).Conclusion: This study results suggest the importance of perfectionism and stressful life events in predicting depression symptoms and these factors can explain the high degree of variability of these symptoms.

Ebola virus disease (formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever) is a severe, often fatal illness, with a death rate of up to 90%. The illness affects humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola first appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, one in a village near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the other in a remote area of Sudan.The origin of the virus is unknown but fruit bats (Pteropodidae) are considered the likely host of the Ebola virus, based on available evidence. In the current outbreak in West Africa, the majority of cases in humans have occurred as a result of human-to-human transmission. Infection occurs from direct contact through broken skin or mucous membranes with the blood, or other bodily fluids or secretions (stool, urine, saliva, semen) of infected people.

Introduction: There is a long-term interest in the effects of undesirable emotions to eating behaviors, due to the strain that it places on a person which can lead to loses his/her health. The present study examined the degree of disordered eating behaviors related to anxiety and alexithymia among high schools girls.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study on 344 girl students of Tehran’s high schools, who were selected by multiple cluster sampling, was conducted. Participants responded to the questionnaires of anxiety of Costello and Comrey (1967), Twenty-item Toronto alexithymia and disordered eating behaviors of Garner and colleagues (1982). The data were analyzed by regression and correlation techniques.Results: Results showed that there was significant positive correlation among anxiety, alexithymia and disordered eating behaviors (p<0.01). In stepwise regression analysis, anxiety and alexithymia significantly predicted, respectively, 35% and 22% of the variance of disordered eating behaviors (p<0.01).Conclusion: Anxious mood and emotions expression can influence on eating behaviors. Therefore, considering these variables can be important to prevent the development of eating-related diseases and to promote girls health.

color has the ability to inspire, excite, soothe, heal and even agitate. This is particularly true for children, who can be extra sensitive to color's impact. So the importance of picking out just the right color for a young child's room shouldn't be underestimated. When choosing colors to use for your rooms home it's important to think about the mood you want to create and whether you want it to feel light and airy or cozy and intimate. Knowing the difference between warm and cool colors is the first step.

Introduction: Bronchiectasis is a common problem in children especially under 5 years. Early diagnosis of disease and its causes could be useful in early treatment and preventing probable complications. This study aimed at evaluating the Cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients with bronchiectasis.Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 374 children with bronchiectasis were studied. The diagnosis was made according to clinical (chronic cough and persistent sputum) and Computerised tomography (CT) scan findings. Demographic findings, clinical findings, treatment, etiology, imaging and outcome of diseas were recorded.Results: Two-hundred-and-forty (64.2%) were male with mean age of 8.61±3.36 years at the diagnosis. In patients with and without the etiology of CF, the cure was observed in 1 (5.6%) and 132 (37.1%), partial remission in 5 (27.8%) and 148 (41.6%) of the cases and non improvement in 12 (66.7%) and 76 (21.3%). There was significant relation between existence of asthma (p<0.001), Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) (p=0.02) and CF (p<0.001) with response to treatment in bronchiectasis.Conclusion: Bronchiectasis is common in infants with the etiology of CF and cure and partial remission is lower in CF patients who have bronchiectasis.

Introduction: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that onset in the first 3 years of life and led to lifelong disability. Despite the early onset of symptoms, diagnosis of this syndrome does not happen until several years later, some any children lose the opportunity for early inter vention. There are various tools for screening and diagnosis, but their design, strengths and weaknesses are different. The aim of this study is assess these tools from various aspects to provide a comprehensive view. Materials and Methods: This study is a narrative literature review on screening tools of autism. Comprehensive searches of the scientific literature were conducted in textbooks and 8 electronic databases (Proquest, Wiley, Google scholar, SID, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Medline) and Pediatric book. Language restriction (Persian and English) was applied. The search strategy consisted of keywords and medical subject headings for autism and various screening tests.Results: In this study, 28 screening tests were identified from 1992 to 2014. CHAT is oldest test and the most recent test is Childhood autism screening test (CAST) the minimum age that can perform the screening is six months that related to Infant toddler checklist (ITC). Minimum time of testing was 5 minutes for Checklist for autism in toddlers (CHAT) and the maximum time was 90-120 minutes for Autism screening instrument for educational planning - Third edition (ASIEP-3). Ritvo autism asperger diagnostic scale-revised (RAADS-R) test was the highest specificity and specificity (100%) and the lowest specificity was 14% in Early screening of autistic traits (ESAT) test.Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that any of the autism screening tools consider specific skill and various aspects of the disease, careful evaluation is need to choose proper test.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe clinical features and serological findings of children with idiopathic arthritis in South West of Iran.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study included 60 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who were referred to a pediatric rheumatology clinic at a university hospital during 6-month period. Initial manifestations, first laboratory tests and clinical course of patients were reviewed.Results: Sixty children (32 boys and 28 girls) with idiopathic arthritis ranged in age from 1.5 to 16 years. The mean age at the first presentation was 4.92+3.68 years. Oligoarthritis was the most common subtype in 27 (45%), followed by systemic-onset in 17 (28.3%) and polyarthritis in 16 (26.7%) of patients. The most commonly involved joints were knee 53 (88.3%), ankle 28 (46.6%) and wrist 27 (45%). Uveitis was detected in two patients, and positivity for antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer was revealed in one patient.Conclusions: In this study, the pattern of most clinical features in different subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis resembles to other studies. Positive ANA was less; however, the low numbers of Iranian patients with uveitis was noteworthy.

Breastfeeding is the ideal and most natural way of nurturing infants. The importance of breastfeeding has been proved unequivocally, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) have issued guidelines to ensure breastfeeding. More than 14 centuries is that in Islamic teachings with the most comprehensive, most beautiful and most powerful motivation, is raised important points in the form of advice and education about breastfeeding. Included in Islam recommended every mother to breastfeed her children up to the age of two years if the lactation period was to be completed. Aware of these recommendations and the usage of them, will lead to the most efficient and effective incentives to promote breast-feeding.