[Prevalence and pattern of congenital malformations in newborn in Rafsanjan, Iran [2007-08]]

Congenital malformations are among important causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns. This study was done to determine the prevalence and pattern of congenital malformations in newborn. This descriptive study was done on 6089 newborns in maternity center in Rafsanjan, Iran during 2007-08. The newborns were examined by pediatricians and based on clinical examination; the type of obvious of either minor or major malformations were recorded. The 179 cases had at least a major or minor malformations. Over all the prevalence of malformations was 2.93%. The highest prevalence of obvious malformations was seen in the musculoskeletal [43.5%], followed by genitourinary [22.9%] and cardiovascular systems [15.08%]. There was significant relation between congenital malformations, gestational age and medicine used by mothers [P<0.05]. The highest prevalence of obvious malformations was seen in the musculo-skeletal system

Relationship between frequency of child and growth in the second year

The importance of breast-feeding is well-known over the first two-year of the life. Although, the complementary feeding is the main source of energy during the above-mentioned period and breast-feeding itself cannot supply the child nutritional requirements, as a consequence, complementary feeding provides seventy percent of the daily child requirements. It seems that a decrease in the frequency of complementary feeding over the first 2-year of the life would lead to an increase in the frequency of breast-feeding. We conducted a cross-sectional and descriptive study which was performed via a simple randomized sampling on 404 first to second year infant referred to health centers of Rafsanjan city. A detailed-questionnaire and physical exam were performed. X2 test and Fisher's exact test were used. Our study showed a significant correlation between the frequency of daily breast-feeding and height in the second year of the life [p<0.009]. However, there was no significant correlation between the frequency of daily breast-feeding and weight in the second year of the life. Our study showed that complementary feeding did not fulfill the sufficient calories which itself leads to child shortness in height. It was observed that insufficient complementary feeding would lead to an increased frequency of breast-feeding

Quantitative analysis of iron supplementation and some of its factors affecting infants [6-24 months age] at Rafsanjan health center in the year 2001

Iron deficiency and anemia are among the most problems encountered the general hygiene system in the world because infants under 2 years of age are at risk of having iron deficiency. Therefore it is necessary to supplement the infant with iron as an important prophylactic method for anemia. The supplementation of infant with iron is routinely done in health centers of iran. Although, iron drop supplement is available for children, some mothers don't provide this necessary nutritional element for their infants. This study was conducted to evaluate the iron supplemental dose, and compliance of mothers in giving iron drop to their infants. In addition, we looked for possible demographic characters of mothers and their reasons that prevent their infants from accessing the iron drop. This descriptive study was performed on 1200 infants [6-24 months who were referred to health care centers of Rafsanjan city in 2001. Systematic randomized sampling method was used for the study. A questionnaire containing demographic characters of mothers and infants, daily intake of iron drop, as well as lack of iron drop intake along with mother's reasons such as blackening of teeth, black stool, lack of Iron drop, unfavorable taste, mothers forgetfullness, lack of need for iron in infants, and lack of recommendation by physicians. The data were gathered and analyzed by using SPSS 12 soft ware, T and X[2] tests. -Among 1200 infants investigated 61% were taking the iron drop daily [95% Cl, 58-64]. The most common reason for not taking the supplement daily was blackening of teeth 25.1% [95% CI, 21-29] and the least frequent one was black stool 1.5% [95% CI, 0-3]. The relationship between avoding daily intake of iron drop and infant age, growth level, level of mother's education, mother's job and here age were significant but it was not significant for sex. Considering the importance of infant daily intake of the iron drop and lack of logical reasons of mothers to give the supplement to their infants, a meticulous and intensive public campaign is needed to augment awareness of the mother to provide the iron for their infant either as a supplement or in the infant's food. Nevertheless, infants who don't have enogh of this necessary element in their diet should be examined for iron deficiency and subsequent treatment