ABSTRACT
The occurrence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) is a formidable challenge for infants, parents, and healthcare professionals. Although data from the Middle East are scarce, experts consider FGIDs a prevalent condition in everyday clinical practice. The new Rome IV criteria revisited the definitions from a clinical perspective to provide a practical and consistent diagnostic protocol for FGIDs. However, the treatment practices for functional disorders vary considerably among Middle Eastern countries, often resulting in mismanagement with unnecessary investigations and treatments. In addition, the role of various treatment modalities, including probiotics such as Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, in FGIDs requires further discussion and evaluation. During a consensus meeting, a locally relevant approach for treating common FGIDs such as infant regurgitation, infant colic, and functional constipation was discussed and approved by regional experts. The participants suggested a simplified treatment plan and protocol for general pediatricians and other primary care physicians managing FGIDs.This easy-to-follow standardized protocol will help streamline the initial management of this complex disorder in the Middle East region and even globally.
ABSTRACT
The occurrence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) is a formidable challenge for infants, parents, and healthcare professionals. Although data from the Middle East are scarce, experts consider FGIDs a prevalent condition in everyday clinical practice. The new Rome IV criteria revisited the definitions from a clinical perspective to provide a practical and consistent diagnostic protocol for FGIDs. However, the treatment practices for functional disorders vary considerably among Middle Eastern countries, often resulting in mismanagement with unnecessary investigations and treatments. In addition, the role of various treatment modalities, including probiotics such as Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, in FGIDs requires further discussion and evaluation. During a consensus meeting, a locally relevant approach for treating common FGIDs such as infant regurgitation, infant colic, and functional constipation was discussed and approved by regional experts. The participants suggested a simplified treatment plan and protocol for general pediatricians and other primary care physicians managing FGIDs.This easy-to-follow standardized protocol will help streamline the initial management of this complex disorder in the Middle East region and even globally.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of the adverse pregnancy outcomes among Jordanian women
Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in five major hospitals in the north of Jordan. Women who gave birth in the five Hospitals during the period from April to June 2007 were included in the study. Data were collected within 24 hours of delivery; the mother answered a pilot tested structured questionnaire administered by trained personnel on the maternity ward through face to face interview, which lasted for 10 to 15 minutes
Result: This study included a total of 3,269 women. More than half of them [57%] were living in urban areas, and 41.3% had an education of higher than high school. Only 1% gave birth to a very low birth weight baby and 10.9% gave birth to a moderately low birth weight baby. The prevalence of low birth weight baby was the highest for women aged above 40 years. Only 1.4% gave stillbirth with the rate being the lowest for those aged between 20 and 34 years. Prevalence of giving birth with any congenital anomaly was more evident for the oldest age group where about 40% of cases occurred among women aged above 40 years
Conclusions: Adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm delivery, low birth weight delivery, congenital anomalies, and stillbirth are common among Jordanian women compared with those in developed countries. Older women [age > 40] are at high risk of such adverse pregnancy outcomes
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of H. pylori infection varies with age, socioeconomic status, geographic location and ethnic origin and its relationship with symptoms and endoscopic diagnosis in children is unclear. To determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and to compare the symptoms and endoscopic findings in children found to be infected with H. pylori with the same variables in H. pylori negative children. A prospective study including all children who underwent upper GI endoscopy and antral biopsy at the GI Unit over a 4-year period. Indications for endoscopy, endoscopic diagnosis and H. pylori status were entered in a prepared form. One hundred and eighty four children [3 months to 18 years old] underwent 225 endoscopic procedures. One hundred and sixty antral biopsies taken from 102 children with symptoms suggestive of upper GI disease and 58 asymptomatic children were considered satisfactory for inclusion in the study. Two antral biopsies were taken from 102 children with symptoms suggestive of upper GI disease and 58 asymptomatic children were considered satisfactory for inclusion in the study. Two antral biopsies were taken and cultured for 7-14 days on the surface of blood agar plates. H. pylori was isolated from 42% of symptomatic children and 33% of asymptomatic children. Positivity was associated with gastritis, duodenal ulcer and duodenitis, but not with gastric ulcer and esophagitis. The prevalence of H. pylori infection increased with age [21% below 7 years and 63% at 13 years]. H. pylori was isolated from 39% of children regardless of their symptoms. Reasons for the sharp increase in the rate of H. pylori infection in children and its low prevalence in children compared to adults with upper GI disease remain to be determined