Dietary and physical activity patterns of school children in an urban area of Sri Lanka.

Objective To provide information on nutritional status and dietary and physical activity pattern of 8-12 year old school children in an urban area of Sri Lanka. Method Seven schools in Colombo were randomly selected. These schools showed a fair representation of children of all social levels. Students of years 4, 5, 6 and 7 were included. 50 students from each grade of each school were randomly selected and recruited into study. The purpose of study was explained to the students and any withdrawals allowed. Medical officers performed the anthropometric measurements. Height was measured using a stadiometer and weight using an electronic weighing scale. Medical assessment was done in all children who participated in study. To define obesity and overweight, sex and age specific body mass index (BMI) cutoffs recommended by International Obesity Task Force were used. Age and sex specific BMI 5th percentile from revised NCHS (2000) growth charts were used to define thinness. Information regarding physical activity, behaviour, feeding practices and socioeconomic factors were obtained using a pretested questionnaire filled by parent/guardian. Data was analyzed using Epi Info 2000 (CDC, USA) software. Results One thousand two hundred and sixty six children were recruited to the study. Data of 1224 subjects were used in the anthropometric analysis, while 1102 data sets were used in analysis of dietary and physical activity. Of the latter group 44% were boys. The children belonged to 3 types of schools based on type of administration. About 12% each were from ages 8 and 12; the rest were almost equally distributed among the other 3 age categories. More than 80% of mothers had a level of education above GCE (O/L). 60.8% watched television for 1-2 hours each day during weekdays and 39.5% watched television for 3-4 hours during weekends. More than 50% engaged in daily physical activity for more than one hour during weekdays as well as weekends. 80.1% attended tuition classes. A similar distribution was seen in all age groups. Although consumption of vegetables was high, fruit consumption was not satisfactory. Majority had eggs or fish as their main source of protein. Prevalence of obesity and overweight increased with increase in family income and thinness was high among low socio-economic groups. Dental caries was the commonest health problem. Highest prevalence was among children from public non-national schools (48.7%), whilst public national and private schools had a prevalence of 10.5% and 11.8% respectively. Of the skin lesions commonest was scabies. Conclusion The main factor that influenced the nutritional status and related behaviour was the socioeconomic standard. Health programmes should be designed targeting these groups.

Evaluation of prescription compliance and medication accuracy in a paediatric unit at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo.

Objectives To assess variation between prescription intentions and what was actually administered to paediatric patients and the problem of converting adult dosages to paediatric doses in a ward setting. Method A prospective descriptive study was carried out at Ward 01, Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo. Administration of drugs to 170 patients was directly observed and recorded during drug rounds. Converted adult dosages for paediatric administration were analyzed to determine the content of active ingredient per unit dose prepared. Results In 170 patients observed, correct drugs were administered in every instance except one. At all times drugs were administered via intended route and the timing of drug rounds was capable of accommodating the prescribed dosing frequencies. However in 17.64% anomalies between prescribed dose and administered dose were encountered for both orally and intravenously administered drugs.

Adverse drug reactions in children requiring hospital admission.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of adverse drugs reactions (ADRs) in children admitted to Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH), Colombo. DESIGN: A prospective hospital based descriptive study. SETTING: Medical units of LRH, Colombo. METHODS: Information was collected by a hospital based investigator who visited the medical units at LRH from February to December 2002. The Naranjo algorithm was used to classify the information. REMARKS: During the 11 month study period, 63 admissions were due to ADRs, the commonest being secondary to administration of antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: ADRs accounted for only 0.16% of admissions as compared to about 2% in North America. The commonest ADRs were due to antibiotics.

A study of children with Kawasaki disease.

Objectives To study demography, presentation, treatment, complications and prognosis of children with Kawasaki disease (KD). Design A descriptive ongoing case study. Method All children clinically suspected to have KD, following admission to professorial unit at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children or when seen in the private sector, from November 2001 to September 2002, were included in the study. The demographic details, presenting features, treatment and complications were recorded. Children with coronary arteritis were reviewed periodically to analyse long-term effects. Results 19 children were suspected to have KD. Mean age was 3.9 years. 53% were males. Fever, conjunctivitis and mucocutaneous lesions were the commonest presenting features. 14 (74%) had coronary artery changes. 5 (26%) patients fulfilled the criteria for diagnosis. Intravenous immunoglobulin was used as treatment in 8 (42%) cases.