Journal of Pediatric Perspectives
Year:2014 | Volume:2 | Issue:3-4 (12)|Papers Count:13

IntroductionTo assess the overall nutritional status of Santal tribal preschool children of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India.Methods and MaterialsA cross sectional study was conducted from February 2012 to September, 2012 of a Santal community in the rural area of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. The study children were selected multi stage cluster sampling method. The level of underweight, stunting and wasting was assessed using standard deviation (SD) classification as against National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference standards.ResultsThis study comprises of 299 (boys=153, girls=146) Santal preschool children age between 0-5 years to assess the prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting. The overall prevalence of underweight was 65.2%, out of, 54.2% and 11.0% children are found to be moderate and severe underweight. It is found that the severe underweight was significantly higher among girls than boys (15.1% vs 7.2%, p<0.05). The girls had 2.3 fold greater risk of being severely underweight. Overall the prevalence of stunting was 54.2%. Among them, 31.4% and 22.7% children were experiencing moderate and severe stunting. Moreover, the overall prevalence of wasting was 20.1%, out of, 17.4% and 2.7% children were found to be moderate and severe wasting.ConclusionAccording to World Health Organization (WHO) classification for assessing severity of malnutrition, this study found very high rates of malnutrition in the form of underweight, stunting and wasting, indicating a critical situation. Therefore, respective authority should be undertaken an effective public health strategy to combat child malnutrition among socio-economically vulnerable communities in India and adjoining countries.

IntroductionAsthma exacerbation is common in children. Treatment with Oral corticosteroids (OCS) and inhaled corticosteroids are suggested for asthma exacerbation. It is shown that inhaled corticosteroids has similar outcome in reducing asthma symptoms compared to OCS. But few studies have evaluated the pulmonary function changes in these two treatments. In this study, we evaluated the changes in pulmonary function tests in children with mild-to-moderate asthma exacerbation receiving oral prednisolone and inhaled Budesonide.Methods and MaterialsForty-four children with mild-to-moderate asthma exacerbation were randomly assigned to receive oral prednisolone (2 mg/kg) or Budesonide spray (2 puffs every 12 hours, each puff contains 200 microgram Budesonide) using a spacer for one week. The first dose of the treatment was given in the emergency department. Children were followed for seven days and spirometry findings before and after treatment were evaluated.ResultsThere was no significant difference between pulmonary function tests before and after treatment between groups. Children receiving oral prednisolone had significantly more improvement in Peak expiratory flow (PEF) (p=0.01). There was significant improvement in all respiratory parameters after treatment in both groups (p<0.05), but PEF had no significant change after treatment s in inhaled Budesonide group (p=0.63).ConclusionBoth inhaled Budesonide and oral prednisolone significantly improved respiratory function in children with mild-to-moderate asthma exacerbation. As there was no significant difference between groups in Pulmonary function tests (PFT) findings and due to the low systemic effects of inhaled budesonide compared to oral prednisolone, this treatment seems to be more appropriate in mild to moderate exacerbations.

IntroductionClinical settings and teaching methods play a key role in students’ learning. So, the present study aimed to investigates the effect of holding special training rounds on performance of pediatric residents.Methods and MaterialsThis quasi-experimental study was conducted on 30 residents. They were randomly divided into two case (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. Two groups received pretest and posttest. Case group received a period of one month of special training rounds by professors. Special training round was one hour training a day. The control group received no intervention. Data was analyzed using SPSS 13 and descriptive and analytic statistical tests.Results100% of all residents in case group were satisfied with training round. Mean scores of control residents were as followed: pretest 37.9+5.1 and post-test 55.2+7.0 (P>0.05). Mean scores of intervention residents were as followed: pretest 37.5+3.7 and post-test 65.6+6.7 (P<0.05). There was a significant increase in residents’ scores after holding a training round (P<0.05).Conclusionfindings confirmed the efficacy of special training round on achievement and increase of residents’ satisfaction with learning in Pediatric Gastroenterology Department.

IntroductionBurn injuries are a major public health problem all over the world, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was investigate to the epidemiological data and cost of hospitalization due to burn in children in Kermanshah provinces from 2011 to 2013.Methods and MaterialsThis was a retrospective cross- sectional study. The study subject was all of patient lee than 15 years who admitted in Burns Center in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran, from 21 March 2011 to March 2013 (two years). The data including age, gender, cause of burn, burn degree, place of burn, Length of stay (LOS), Burned body surface (BBS) and cost of hospitalization was obtained from hospital data and analyzed by SPSS version 18.ResultsThe overall mean age was 5.27±4.52 years; the ages ranged from less than 1 year to 15 years. The mean BBS % and LOS was 22.8 % and 7.48 day, respectively. The mean cost per patient, per hospitalization day and per % BBS were 15,000,000 IRR, 657,981 IRR and 20045348 IRR, respectively.ConclusionThe current study showed the main cause of burn and mortality in the pediatric population was hot liquids and flame, respectively. An important point is that most of burn injuries in pediatric population are preventable and avoidable if the necessary training about cause of these burns provides for their parent.

IntroductionBronchiectasis is a common problem in children and early diagnosis can lead to early treatment and prevent of its complications. This study was aimed to evaluate factors effectiveness on outcome of bronchiectasis in children.Methods and MaterialsIn an analytical cross-sectional study, 347 children with bronchiectasis underwent the study. The patients were diagnosed based on chronic suppurative cough and Computerized tomography (CT) scan findings.ResultsDisease etiology was asthma in 55.6%, Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in 7.8%, Cystic fibrosis (CF) in 4.8%, other causes in 11.2% and idiopathic in 20.6%. All cases complained of chronic cough. The most common sign was daily sputum production (79.1%) and common symptoms were ral/crackle in 47.1% and wheezing in 25.4%. Mean treatment period was 32.82±11.56 months. At the end of follow-up, complete improvement occurred in 35.6%, partial improvement in 40.9% and no improvement in 23.5%.ConclusionIn children with chronic cough and crackle in physical examination, consideration of bronchiectasis could be helpful in early diagnosis and complementary evaluations and treatment initiation. Treatment of the underlying disease could prevent the occurrence and increase the response to treatment of bronchiectasis.

IntroductionComplications of obesity and high fat in children are grave now and future. The aim of this research was comparing percentage of body fat in active and inactive girls using anthropometric measurements.Methods and MaterialsThis research was descriptive- correlation that 144 active(n=70) and inactive(n=74) girls aged 8 to 10 years old were selected by random cluster sampling method and studied the relationship between percentage of body fat and anthropometric parameters and result analyzed by SPSS-18 software. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as Pearson’s correlation coefficient to investigate the relationship between composition variables.ResultsThe mean age of the subjects in this study were 8 to 10 years. Result indicated Body Mass Index (BMI) from anthropometric indexes had significant recipe with percentage of body fat in both of groups and Waist circumference to hip ratio (WHR) was significant only in inactive group (p£0.05).Conclusion Students who have had at least three sessions of physical activity have been disabled pupils less% lipid. Results of this research indicated percentage of fat influenced by level of activity.

IntroductionThe prevalence of disordered eating behaviors has been reported to increase in recent decades; therefore, scientific studies should perform for specifying psychological variables that may contribute to the etiology of this disorder. In this study, we examined the role of body image disturbance and perfectionism variables in predicting disordered eating behaviors among female students.Methods and MaterialsThis cross-sectional study was performed in 2014 upon a sample consisting of 464 female students in Allame Tabatabaie University were selected based on a Morgan formula and multi-stage cluster random sampling. Then, participants responded to the questionnaires of body image disturbance of Reas and et al. (2002), perfectionism scale of Besharat (2004) and eating attitudes test of Garner and Garfinkel (1979). The data were analyzed by correlation techniques and stepwise regression.ResultsThe results showed that these were internal correlation among body image disturbance and perfectionism and disordered eating behavior. Also, the results of stepwise regression analysis revealed that body image disturbance and perfectionism significantly predicted, respectively, almost 16% and 14% of variances of disordered eating behaviors among female students.ConclusionAccording to the findings of the present study, body image disturbance and perfectionism can predict disordered eating behaviors. Therefore, considering these variables can be important to prevent the development of eating-related diseases and to promote students’ health.

IntroductionPreterm infants are exposed to irregular light for several weeks or months in the Neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU). This lack of maternal entrainment, the exposure to irregular extrauterine lighting and care in the nursery may contribute to the disturbances in body temperature, sleep and physiological changes that are commonly experienced by preterm infants.Materials and MethodsThis is a randomized clinical trial dual group study, 38 preterm infants (gestational age of 30-34 weeks) due to prematurity hospitalized at NICU of Ghaem Hospital, Iran, were evaluated within 10 days. Infants were divided into two groups of 1200-1700 and 1701-2200g based on the weight and the weight of each group were randomized into artificial night (dark period was from 19 to 7 during incubator was covered with linen cloth & light period was from 7 to 19 removed the cover) and control groups (continuous lighting). Mothers & infants through questionnaires, interviews, observation & document completion, changes in physiologic & weight before entering the study & then physiologic changes twice a day. Data were analyzed using SPSS version16 software.ResultsThe two groups were matched in terms of other variables. Mean gestational age was (31.39+1.39) weeks in both groups, mean weight at study entry in period light of the (1415.8+263.46) and (1471.6 + 244.47) was in continuous lighting. The difference in oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, respectively, higher and lower in the intervention group than the control group. Result of the statistical analysis of repeated measures suggests that the difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.05).ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that the effect of artificial night on physiological stabilization of preterm infants is positive. In order to create a favorable and efficient environment to help better growth, prevent complications of prematurity and impaired circadian rhythms in infants, pay more attention to the care conditions of infants is recommended.

IntroductionTo estimate the incidence of Reactive Thrombocytosis among febrile young infants and to assess the utility of platelet count as a potential predictor and diagnostic tool of Serious bacterial infection (SBI).Methods and MaterialsThis study was conducted a prospective non randomized study conducted between April 2011 to March 2012 at the tertiary care pediatric unit, Srinagar, India. Inclusion criteria were all infants 30 to 89 days of age, admitted with rectal temperature>38°C/100.4°F without apparent focus of an infection on history and clinical examination. Exclusion criteria were infants having fever more than 72 hours and who had received antibiotics or vaccination within 48 hours of presentation. Also the results of the sepsis evaluation on admission were recorded. SBI included all cases of occult bacteremia, urinary tract infection, bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, bacterial gastroenteritis and infections of the soft tissues and bones.ResultsOf the 149 infants studied, 39 (26.2%) had SBI. Platelet count was significantly higher in infants with SBI compared to those without {Platelet count ³ 4 lakhs /mm3 in SBI (84.6%) vs. Non SBI (542.4%). Mean platelet count 5.1±1.1 in SBI vs. 3.9±1.6 in non SBI which was statistically significant (P<0.05). Thrombocytosis had moderate ability in predicting SBI [Area under curve area under the curve: 0.760]. The combination of platelet count ³450,000/mm3, WBC ³15,000/mm3, C-reactive protein ³2 mg/dl and pyuria ³5 White blood cells (WBC) per High power field (HPF) resulted in misclassification of only 2 infants with SBI (5.1% of SBIs).ConclusionsReactive thrombocytosis was a frequent finding in young infants with SBI. Thrombocytosis ≥450,000 cells/mm3, in combination with leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and pyuria, may help in early recognition of febrile young infants at risk for SBI.

IntroductionThe most important change in medical education is a shift from didactic teacher-centered and subject-based teaching to the use of interactive, problem-based, student-centered learning. Student-centered approach is a teaching approach t that encompasses replacing lectures with active learning, integrating self-paced learning programs and cooperative group situations, ultimately holding the student responsible for his own advances in education. This study aimed to determine the attitudes of students towards learning method based on problem solving as a student-centered and their satisfaction from the student-centered learning method in the medical students of Mashhad University of Medical Science.Materials and MethodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study. In total, 47 M.Sc. students of health (11 male and 36 female) was selected to participate in this study. We used convenience and purposeful sampling strategies. Data collection tools included an 8-items questionnaire to evaluate the student-centered approach in the course of disease in children. The questions were on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from never to more times.ResultsIn total, 11 males and 36 females participated in this study. The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference in the score of participation in the course of pediatric (t=8.86) (p<0.0001), the knowledge of the participants of this course in the other university (t=4.5) (p<0.0001), the conference is presented by students (t=9.14) (p<0.0001), the suitability of student-centered approach (t=5.65) (p<0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in the score of usefulness of the student-centered approach (t=0.58) (p=0.56). Also there was a significant difference in the score of interest in teaching by using student-centered approach (t=2.31) (p=0.025). The other results showed that the students preference the teacher-centered ten the student-centered approach (t=2.54) (p=0.014).ConclusionMost studies comparing didactic teacher-centered and subject-based teaching showed that the majority of students interested to the traditional method of teaching. However, there is Evidence of increasing use of student-centered teaching style.

IntroductionHumans in the last trimester of gestation are assumed to be in a pain-free environment in the womb, but those neonates who are born preterm often spend weeks in the Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and undergo numerous painful procedures as part of their routine care.Methods and MaterialsIn this semi-experimental study, 70 preterm infants born at average 32 to 36 weeks’ Gestational age (GA), who needed routine blood collection, were allocated to two intervention (35 neonates) and control (35 neonates) groups. In experimental group a nurse held the infant in the side-lying, flexed fetal-type position during blood collection. The stopwatch was used to determine the duration of crying infants. The control group did not receive additional action for pain relief. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 16 software.ResultsThe mean age of infants was 34.45 ± 1.22 weeks. The results showed that the duration of crying after sampling in the two groups was statistically significant difference, this duration in control group was higher than the intervention group (P<0.05).ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that the facilitated tucking is effective in reducing the duration of crying infant. Since neonatal pain management is an important part of infant care, attention to this subject can be a major step in promoting the growth and development of infants.

IntroductionTo assess the efficacy of some herbal medicines such as Foeniculum vulgar (Fennel), Menthe longifolia and Garlic in Iranian children. Methods and MatherialsNine databases such as Medline, Scopus and the Cochrane as well as domestic database (Persian) such as SID, Iranmedex, Magiran, Medlib, Irandoc, and Google Scholar were searched with using keywords such as “Child”; “Complementary treatments”; “Alternative treatments”; “Herbal treatments”; “Anthum foeniculum”; “Capillaceum”; “Foeniculum officinale”; “Foeniculum vulgare”; “Menthe longifolia” and “Garlic” in June 2014.ResultsFive studies were included in the systematic review. Our systematic review showed beneficial effect of Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) on redaction of infantile colic and also led to significant increase on prolactin levels in lactating mothers. Base on only study, comparison between two groups (Shirafza and placebo drops) did not show any significant difference in regarding infant weight gain. Menthe longifolia combined with Oral rehydration salts (ORS) improved frequency of defecation, Volume and consistency of stool. Also review systematic showed that garlic significantly decreased fever, frequency and duration of diarrhea, leukocyte in stool.ConclusionHerbals medicine such as Foeniculum vulgar, Menthe longifolia and Garlic had beneficial effect on women’s serum prolactin levels, infantile colic, frequency of defecation, volume, consistency of stool. However, this result should be interpreted with caution which low number of sample and methodological quality.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. ADHD is estimated to affect about 6 to 7 percent of people aged 18 and under when diagnosed via the DSM-IV criteria. Hyperkinetic disorder when diagnosed via the ICD-10 criteria give rates of between 1 to 2 percent in this age group. Children in North America appear to have a higher rate of ADHD than children in Africa and the Middle East; however, this may be due to differing methods of diagnosis used in different areas of the world. If the same diagnostic methods are used rates are more or less the same between countries. While treatment won’t cure ADHD, it can help a great deal with symptoms. Treatment typically involves medications and behavioral interventions. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in outcome.