ABSTRACT
Background: Physicians play a crucial role in the promotion and support of breastfeeding. Although many studies have been conducted to evaluate the knowledge about breastfeeding in mothers, few studies are found in literature discussing the knowledge and practice of physicians regarding breastfeeding .To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of medical practitioners about breastfeeding at a tertiary care hospital
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 physicians of Ziauddin University belonging to the specialties of Pediatrics, Gynecology/Obstetrics, General Medicine and Family Medicine. The participants filled a structured questionnaire after informed consent. Data was analyzed on SPSS 20.0. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages while continuous variables were presented as mean. P value of <0.05 was considered significant
Results: A total of 200 medical practitioners participated in the study. 97% of the respondents recommended exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Formula feeding was also considered equally acceptable by 66.5%. Pre-lacteal feeds were forbidden by 74% and 82% of the participants had not attended any Continuing Medical Education [CME] program on breastfeeding in the last 03 years
Conclusion: The shortcomings in the breastfeeding counseling skills of physicians and in their ability to manage lactational problems need to be addressed. A written hospital policy on breastfeeding is mandatory
ABSTRACT
CHARGE syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by a specific and recognizable pattern of anomalies. It is estimated to occur in 1:10,000 births worldwide with various clinical manifestations. The major clinical features of CHARGE syndrome include ocular coloboma, heart malformations, atresia of the choanae, growth retardation, genital hypoplasia, and ear abnormalities. The underlying defect is in the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 7 [CHD7] gene, which is located on chromosome 8q12.1. Around 67% of the patients clinically diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome have CHD7 mutations 4. So far, five hundred and twenty-eight unique alterations of CHD7 have been identified so far with no prefential domain being affected. The CHD7 gene encodes an adenosine triphosphate [ATP] dependent protein that participates in chromatin organization and plays a predominant role in neural tissue during fetal development. Majority of the CHD7 gene mutations occurs de novo. Familial transmission and germline mosaicism have rarely been identified