Clinical spectrum and outcome of accidental poisoning in children

Childhood poisoning is an important health problem which is usually accidental and is responsible for serious morbidity with mortality all over the world. Accidental poisoning is the second most common cause of death in Iran. This descriptive study is designed to assess the clinical spectrum and outcome of poisoning among children. This study was conducted in Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad over a period of one year from 1[st] January 2007 to 31[st] December 2007. A total of 62 children up to 12 years of age admitted for acute poisoning to children ward were included. The cases were studied to see the clinical spectrum, complication and outcome of the poisoning. In one year period a total of 62 children including 35 [56.45%] boys' and 27 [43.54%] girls presented with acute poisoning. Maximum number of cases with poisoning was seen in the age group 1-5 year. Kerosene oil was the commonest form of ingredient used followed by drugs. The most common systems involved were cultural nervous system [CNS], respiratory and GIT. Over the period 2 [3.22%] children died, one of them was poisoned by lice killer liquid and other by insecticide. Most of the cases of poisoning are due to common household products and drugs. It is therefore necessary to educate the population on preventive measure

Intranasal encephalocele as a cause of reccurent meningitis

Herniation of brain matter through a basal skull defect is a rare occurrence. Both congenital and environmental factors have been implicated. This case report describes a 7 year old boy with nasal discharge since birth and recurrent meningitis. The etiology for these problems was discovered as intra nasal encephalocele

Feeding beliefs and practices of mothers/ caregivers for their infants

To evaluate the nutritional practices and beliefs for infants by mothers/care giversin our set up.A descriptive study.Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad - Sindh, from 7[th] November to 16th December,2001.One hundred infants admitted in paediatrics ward were selected for the study. Studywas based on a questionnaire, developed to collect information by interviewing mothers to ascertaintheir infant feeding practices and various beliefs/taboos affecting these practices.One hundred mothers belonging to urban and rural areas were interviewed. At birth,71% of mothers discarded colostrum. The frequency of breast-feeding was high initially but dueto variety of socio-cultural reasons, it declined rapidly with early supplementation of bottlefeeding.Pre-lacteal feeding was a major reason for breast feeding delay. Exclusive breastfeedingwas of short duration. Inadequate weaning in terms of quality and quantity was observedcommon. Cultural beliefs and taboos were affecting the weaning in majority of the cases.Lack of maternal education about feeding the infant is significant in our set up.There is, therefore, a need to educate the mothers about correct feeding practices so thathealthy growth of the infants can be maintained

Maternal risk factors affecting birth weight of newborn

To determine the association of maternal biosocial, medical and obstetric risk factors with low birth weight [LBW]. A case control study. Department of neonatology and paediatrics, Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad - Sindh from 1[st] September to 31[st] December 2001. One hundred live born LBW babies were selected against 65 normal birth weight babies as control for this study. Information regarding maternal biosocial, medical and obstetric problems during pregnancy was recorded on a specified proforma and data analysis was done through SPSS 10.0 version and results were interpreted in terms of P-values. The mean birth weight of LBW babies was 1.96 kg as compared to 3.2 kg in control group. Sixty-nine percent of cases were preterm with male predominance. Main factors identified were poverty, maternal malnutrition, short birth interval, teenage mother, lack of antenatal care, anemia, toxemia, antepartum hemorrhage, renal disease and malaria. Maternal biosocial, medical and obstetric factors have strong association with LBW. To overcome this problem, health education of mothers and strengthening of the health care facilities for mother and children in the community are required