Epidemiological and chronological profile of preterm birth in the region of Monastir [Tunisia] between 1994 and 2012

Data about the profile and risk factors of premature births in Tunisia are scarce. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of preterm births in Monastir, Tunisia, and to study the chronological trends of associated factors over the years 1994-2012. A population-based study was conducted using data from the regional births database on all deliveries in public maternity units. The overall prevalence of preterm births among the 161 116 deliveries in the 19-year period was 5.60% [95% CI: 5.13%-6.07%]. The rate of preterm births and of adequate prenatal care increased significantly over the study period. Extremes of maternal age [/= 35 years], having a twin pregnancy and the occurrence of complications during pregnancy were significant predictors of prematurity in the final regression model. Efforts should be made to improve the quality of health care in the region, especially for high-risk pregnancies

[ prophylactic effect of breast feeding on urinary tract infection [uti] among children under one year of age]

UTI is a relatively common infection of childhood which is caused by ascending colonic bacteria and is frequently seen within the first year of life. The main complication of an infection is leaving a scar in kidney which can lead to renal insufficiency and hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of breast feeding against UTI among children under one year of age. This case-control study was conducted on 100 children under one year of age [50 cases and 50 control]. The case group was selected from patients referring to the pediatric nephrology clinic or admitted to Vali-e-Asr hospital in 2004, all of whom have suffered from UTI at least once. The children in the control group who did not experience UTI were selected from daycare centers and were alike in terms of gender, age and circumcision [in boys]. The data was analyzed using chi-square and fisher's exact tests. 9 [32.1%] of the children suffering from UTI and 25 [83.3%] of the healthy children had only been breast fed. The prophylactic effect of breast feeding against UTI was 90% higher in children who had only been breast fed [P=0.0005]. The combined prophylactic effect of breast feeding and formula-feeding against UTI was 71% higher than only formula feeding [53.7% to 80%] [p=0.038]. The preventive effect of breast feeding against UTI was higher in boys than in girls. This study shows that breast feeding has a prophylactic effect against UTI. We suggest that further studies should be carried out with a higher sample size to achieve comprehensive assessment

[Comparing the antipyretic effectiveness of oral and rectal acetaminophen in children]

Introduction: Acetaminophen is the most commonly used drug for temperature reduction in febrile children, which is used orally or rectally. The effectiveness of rectal versus oral Acetaminophen is not well established

Objective: This study is designed to compare the antipyretic effectiveness of rectal acetaminophen dose 15mg/kg to the standard oral dose of 15mg/kg

Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was performed on 60 patients aged 6 months to 6 years with fever>/=39 rectally. The patients were randomly assigned in one of two groups. First 39[degree]c group received 15mg/kg Acetaminophen rectally and the second group received same dose orally and their body temperature was measured one and three hours after Acetaminophen administration

Results: The mean temperature reduction, 60 and 180 minutes after use of acetaminophen were 1.07 +/- 0.16 and 1.74 +/- 0.25

Conclusion: Effectiveness of oral and rectal Acetaminophen with 15mg/kg dose is similar in decreasing children's fever. Standard [15mg/kg] oral and [15mg/kg] rectal acetaminophen has similar antipyretic effectiveness