Effectiveness of school-based program to preventing mental disorders in school age children: review article

Mental health disorders are prevalent in children in all societies. The onset of most mental disorders is in youth [12-24 years of age], but most of the time they are first detected later in life. Poor mental health is strongly related to other health and development concerns so it is common to show high grade of stress, substance use, violence, and depression. The effectiveness of some interventions has been strongly established, although more researches are needed to improve the range of affordable and feasible interventions. The shortage of educational and fiscal policies and the fairly low attention to this subject is the main challenge addressing mental-health needs. Therefore, universal or early intervention programs are needed to develop protective factors by increasing competence or skills, to reduce existing negative behaviors. Moreover child discipline problems can be reduced by school multicomponent intervention strategies and as a result promotion in student's achievement becomes evident

Evaluation of parental attitudes toward lumbar puncture in their children

Sometimes physicians need to assess some markers on selected children's cerebrospinal fluid according to lumbar puncture [LP]. Although immediate diagnosis and treatment especially for meningitis in necessary, But just at this moment, due to some incorrect believe in society, some parents may not allow physician to LP. The reality is that most of these people, if they have enough information about this issue, will not interfere. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of parents toward this subject. Through a cross - sectional study we evaluated 91 parents of children, who must been undergone LP as physician's decision, selected during 18 months using purposive sampling. The data collection tool was a questionnaire that consisted of two sections of the child and the parents' knowledge and attitudes. Scientific validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by content validity. To achieve the objectives, SPSS 15 and descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used. 61 parents [67%] mentioned fear of some side effects as the main reason of their children 's LP discontent .The most important cause of fear was low back pain according to 50 [54.9%] parents 's view. 70 parents [76.9%] had some satisfaction after performing LP .There was statistically significant difference between proportion of satisfied parents and non-satisfied ones [p<0.001]. Average score parental satisfaction for LP was [7.2 +/- 3.2 87]. It seems that improvement of parents 's information about LP process and it's benefits by health care group, may influence on their belief and cooperation during diagnostic tests

Status of hepatitis B immunization in medical stuffs at Children Medical Center Hospital-Tehran

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus [HBV], which is transmitted through percutaneous [i.e., puncture through the skin] or mucosal [i.e., direct contact with mucous membranes] exposure to infectious blood or body fluids. HBV can cause chronic infection, resulting in cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. Persons with chronic infection also serve as the main reservoir for continued HBV transmission. This is a prospective cross sectional study was performed in Children Medical Center Hospital on 396 medical personals [including 172 students, 92 interns, 56 residents and 56 fellowships] during September 2012 to October 2013. All of medical staff had done HB vaccination. In 93% of them the vaccination was complete. The others, 16% had only one, and 84% had two dose injections. 73% didn't check HBsAb after vaccination. Results showed in 21.4% of fellowships, 42.8% of residents, non of interns and 35% of students, had checked HBsAb. Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. HB is a serious world wide infection and medical staff are one of the most high risk groups. So Vaccinate their and HBS Antibody titer determination after complete vaccination is mandatory

Assessment the relationship between parents' literacy level with children growth in Mashhad: An analytic descriptive study

Present children are the investments of community in the future. Preparing children health which leads to the stability of community health, provided to accurate implementation of educational and health programs in the community and especially in mothers. So it is necessary to determine the relationship between parents' literacy with growth rate in children. This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 300 mothers referring to 10 selected Mashhad health-care centers for monitoring their 6-24-month year old infants. They completed questionnaire. Participants were selected by cluster and simple random sampling. Data were analyzed by descriptive- analytic statistics and using SPSS 16. Present findings showed a significant relationship between literacy level of parents with child growth status, breast feeding rate, junk food consumption, referring to health care center for growth monitoring, the age of initiating supplementary nutrition, the use of oil and butter in baby food and rate of attending in educational classes. So that higher literacy level of parents was associated with using more formula, less junk food, oil and butter in baby's food and more referring times to health care center for monitoring child growth, desirable growth, and also initiating supplementary food more at the assigned time [P<0.05]. Parents' literacy level influence on children growth status. However, with increasing parents' literacy level, using formula for infants has been increased, but breast milk feeding is also high in this group

Synbiotic for prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children: a randomized clinical trial

Antibiotic- associated diarrhea is a common problem in pediatric population. There is growing interest in probiotics, probiotics and synbiotics for prevention of this complication because of their worldwide availability as dietary supplements. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a synbiotic mixture in prevention of antibiotic- associated diarrhea. In this randomized controlled trial, 218 patients [111 in the synbiotic and 107 in the placebo group] aged 6 months to 14 years with respiratory tract infection and/ or otitis media who needed antibiotic treatment in outpatient setting, were enrolled. They received 1 billion Colony Forming Unit of seven probiotics species plus Fructooligosaccharide in form of powder or placebo [matched for size, shape, and volume] for 7 days. Amoxicillin, Amoxicillin-clavalanic acid, cefixim and Azithromicin were the most common drugs used by physcicians Mothers recorded stool frequency and consistency daily for 7 days. We found no significant difference [P>0.05] in occurrence of diarrhea between synbiotic and placebo groups. This synbiotic mixture did not appear to reduce antibiotic- associated diarrhea in children. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential benefits of Synbiotics in prevention of this disease

Maternal knowledge and attitude toward exclusive breast milk feeding [BMF] in the first 6 months of infant in Mashhad

Breast milk is a complete food for growing children until 6 months of age, and mothers, as the most important child health care, play a decisive role in their growth. So promoting their attitude toward the benefits of breastfeeding ensures guarantee child health in the future. This study aimed to assess maternal knowledge and attitude of Mashhad toward exclusive BMF in the first 6 months of infant life. This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 126 mothers who referring to Mashhad health-care centers for monitoring their 6-24 month year old infants. They completed questionnaire. Participants were selected by cluster and simple random sampling. Data were analyzed by descriptive- analytic tests and using SPSS 11.5. Mean score of maternal attitude toward exclusive BMF was 14.32 +/- 5.28 [out of 28] and maternal knowledge score toward advantages of breast milk was 19.59 +/- 4.80 [out of 28]. The incidence of exclusive BMF in the first 6 months of life study was 73.8%. Child growth was as follows: excellent growth [5.6%] and good growth [42.1%]. ANOVA showed a significant difference between parents' education and maternal attitude towards exclusive BMF; whatever higher education of parents, more positive maternal attitude towards exclusive BMF [P<0.05]. There was a significant direct relationship between knowledge and attitude [Spearman test, P-value= 0.000 and r= 0.4]. Maternal attitude towards exclusive BMF was moderate. It is essential to plan for mothers by officials in order to promote breast-feeding in the first 6 months of baby's life to enhance positive maternal attitude in this regard

Congenital rickets: report of four cases

Vitamin D deficiency and rickets continue to be health problems in developing countries and most of the infants with congenital rickets may present with hypocalcemic seizure. In this article, the report on four infants who presented with hypocalcemic seizures but subsequently were found to have congenital rickets is presented. All of them had hypocalcaemia and low level of serum 25- hydroxy vitamin D. Their mothers had not received vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and so evidence of vitamin D deficiency was presented. Although current vitamin D supplementation guidelines for infants was effective in prevention of rickets in Iranian children, it is necessary to evaluate women before pregnancy to prevent this entity. Also infants without vitamin D supplementation therapy who present with seizures during the first 6 months of age should undergo biochemical and other investigations for rickets

Iron and multivitamin supplements in children and its association with growth rate

Vitamin deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are common nutritional problems, at least in children under 5. These materials shortage, especially in the first two years of life, impair physical and brain growth, reduces the child's learning ability, reduces body resistance against infections, behavioral changes, apathy and finally social and economic adverse consequences would be followed. This study aimed to determine the supplements used in children under two years and its Association with Growth rate in Mashhad City. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 300 children 6 to 24 months were recruited in health centers in Mashhad, Data was collected from mother and children' records and valid and reliable questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was analyzed by statistical tests and SPSS 11.5 and P<0.05 was considered significant. Results showed that 13.7 percent of families were with low income, 82.7 percent middle income and 3.7 percent well income. In growth chart, 86.7 percent of children showed appropriate growth, 10.3 percent had delayed growth and 3 percent had horizontal growth curve .In 80.7 percent of families, maternal multivitamin and iron drops have been used to their children regularly, 1.7 percent did not believe in these supplements and 17.7 percent of mothers sometimes used these supplements for their children. Results also showed statistical correlation significant variables of parental education, family income, mothers referred to health centers for monitoring the growth and get face to face training of personnel center drops of multivitamin with iron and growth status of children variable is available, so children who regularly have used supplements and income level and above are literate parents have grown more favorable than the other kids [P<0.05]. Regarding the importance of iron and multivitamin use in children under two years, necessary training must be provided to mothers in this field by health centers personnel. Meanwhile, it is recommended that the authorities must distribute periodical and enough drops to health centers

Kawasaki disease presenting as acute clinical hepatitis

Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis of children. Among gastrointestinal symptoms of this disease jaundice occurs uncommonly. We present a 23 month boy with icter and clinical hepatitis and final diagnosis of kawasaki disease

[Endocrine disorder in children with chronic liver diseases]

An important consequence of chronic liver disease [CLD] is endocrine disorders. The main object of this study was to assess serum hormones in children with CLD. In a cross sectional study between 2007-2009, 57 children with chronic liver disease were enrolled. Levels of serum triiodothyronine [T3], thyroxin [T4], thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], parathormon [PTH], calcium[c], phosphor [P], alkalanephosphatase [ALP],growth hormone[GH] and insulin like growth factor-1[IGF-1], albumin [ALB] and total protein, triglyceride [TG] and cholesterol [CHOL], fasting blood sugar [FBS] and liver function tests were measured. In this study, most patients' thyroid hormones and fasting blood sugar were at normal range. But there was a significant decline in serum IGF- 1 levels in this patients. 28 percent of children had PTH levels higher than normal range for age and 24 percent had serum phosphor levels lower than normal range .1/3 of these patients were bone fracture. Overt diabetics did not obsereve in our children. Children with CLD are GH resistant and might be at risk of osteopenia and bone fracture. So serum hormone levels should be carefully monitored in children with CLD