Bronchiolitis; role of oral salbutamol administration for providing symptomatic relief in children

To determine the efficacy of oral salbutamol administration for symptomatic relief in children less than two years of age with acute mild bronchiolitis. Interventional study. Outpatient department of Department of Pediatrics, independent university hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan, from October 2010 to March 2011. 160 children less than two years of age diagnosed clinically as acute mild bronchiolitis with comparable baseline parameters [age, weight, duration of present illness] were included in the study. They were randomly placed in two groups, Salbutamol Group [SG] [n=80] Placebo Group [PG] [n =80] and were followed daily for first 3 days, then on day 5 and day 7 in outpatient department. Oral salbutamol was administered [0.1 mg/kg/dose] three times daily for 7 days or till complete resolution of illness, whichever came earlier. Time for resolution of illness [ROI] was primary outcome variable whereas time for resolution of cough, coryza, breathlessness, wheeze, achievement of normal feeding and sleep patterns and salbutamol adverse effects were secondary outcome variables. Mean duration of resolution of illness [ROI] was similar in both groups. [6.1 +/- 0.75] days in the salbutamol group and [6.0 +/- 0.80] days in placebo group [p=0.53]. There was no significant resolution time difference of secondary outcome variables between the two study groups. Cough [SG 4.1[0.70, PG 4.1]0.68, P=0.68] Coryza [SG 4.3[ 0.59, PG 4.2] 0.62, P=0.14] Wheeze and Breathlessness [SG 3.8[0.60, PG 3.8]0.63, p=0.24] Sleep [SG 4.5[0.40, PG 4.4]0.55, p=0.19] Feeding [SG 4.3[0.59, PG 4.2]0.62, P= 0.14]. Salbutamol adverse effects [tremors, irritability] were observed in 13 [16.25%] children in salbutamol group. Oral salbutamol administration is not superior to placebo in providing symptomatic relief in children with acute mild bronchiolitis

Dental carries frequency in children of age 6 to 12 in different communities of Faisalabad

Dental disease is prevalent among young children, particularly those from lower socioeconomic populations; however few preschool-aged children ever visit a dentist. Dental caries is a common childhood disease. To observe the frequency of dental caries particularly focusing on effects of regular brushing habits with fluoride tooth paste on dental caries in children of different communities of Faisalabad. Cross sectional study. Setting Four communities of Faisalabad located at: Punjab Medical College Colony, Youngwala, Agricultural University Colony, People Colony No.2. Six months from 01 -07-2009 to 31-12-2009. Total 379 patients were included in this study. Dental caries status was recorded after complete intraoral examination of selected children. Sample of drinking water was taken from each patient and fluoride level was measured in Laboratory. Mean age of the children was observed 8.8 +/- 1.8 years. When socioeconomic status of studied population was considered majority i.e. 150 children [39.6%] was from higher socioeconomic class, 139 children [36.7%] were from middle class and 90 children [23.7%] from lower socioeconomic class. As for as sources of drinking water is concerned 132 children [34.9%] using ground water, 113 children [29.8%] canal water, 83 children [21.9%] filtered water and 51 children [13.4%] mineral water and level of fluoride in drinking water, [sources ground water, canal, filter water and mineral water is < 0.7 PPM which is suboptimal for caries protection]. Regular brushing with fluoride containing tooth paste were very effective in preventing dental caries. Dental health services should focus primarily on the prevention of dental caries