Nutritional status of children hospitalized in Tabriz Paediatric Hospital, Islamic Republic of Iran, 2008

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of children consecutively admitted as inpatients to Tabriz Paediatric Hospital in the north-west of the Islamic Republic of Iran between June and August 2008. A total of 140 children aged 2-12 years were included. Patients' weight, height and triceps skinfold thickness [TSFT] were measured, and nutritional status was evaluated. Evaluation of weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height and TSFT showed that 48.6%, 30.7%, 32.2% and 14.3% of the patients, respectively, were malnourished. Malnutrition among hospitalized children is worthy of attention, and effective strategies for systematic screening and treatment of malnutrition need to be developed and implemented

[Relation between pregnancy weigth gain and newborn's weight and size in women referring to health centers in Tabriz]

The ideal weight gain during pregnancy has been the subjects of much controversy and numerous studies. In l990, the Institute of Medicine recommended weight-specific guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy. Since weight gain is a very important part of mentalities of pregnant women and birth weight is an important indicator in maternity care, it is necessary to investigate about weight gain of pregnant women and its relation with newborn's weight and size. This descriftive study was conducted to determine pregnancy weight gain and its relation with newborn's weight and size in women referring to health centers of Tabriz. 203 women were selected by random sampling. Data collecton instrument was a checklist. To analyze data, investigators used analysis of variance and linear regression. The results showed that 53.7%, 32%, 14.3% of women gained less than, within, and more than the range suggested by Institure of Medicine. A significant difference was found between the weight gain pattern of the subjects and that purposed by the Institute [P=0.024]. A significant relation was also found between pregnancy weigth gain of women with normal BMI and newborn's weight and size [p<0.05] but no significant relation was found in women with obseity or low and high BMI. Findings showed that women with low or normal weight should gain more weight during pregnancy and obese women should be instructed to lower their weight before conception. Women also should be taught to refer to health centers regularly