Diarrheal disease in a regional hospital in Basrah, some aspects of the disease

A total of 602 patients under five years of age were admitted to Basrah General Hospital suffering from diarrheal diseases. Diarrhea was more among those children under one year of age [61.6%]. Male to female ratio [1.3:1]. Diarrhea morbidity was less common among children receiving breast milk [25.5%], and diarrhea mortality had significant relationship with bottle fed children, and children who were malnourished. The majority of cases with diarrhea treated in health facilities were given drugs and oral rehydration solution [71.7%]. Oral rehydration solution had not been used as the only measure for treatment of acute diarrhea

Neonatal intestinal amoeblasis in Iraq: a report of 6 cases

From January to May too 5, first 6 cases of neonatal amoebiasis [3 boys and 3 girls] aged 3-35 days were reported. Four patients were breast fed. The range of family size was 3-15 members. There were 4 patients from urban region and only 2 from rural area. Stool samples were collected and examined before and after metronidazole treatment by direct smear method. All patients were recovered and the parasite disappeared from their stools

incidence of congenital malformation and associated risk factors in Basrah city

During a prospective study of [5974] consecutive birth from October 1993 to march 1994 at Basrah maternity and child hospital, 52 babies were found to have congenital malformation. Major malformations constituted 0.77% while minor anomalies constituted 0.1%. Still born was among series of births [No. 34], but only 5 showed congenital malformation [incidence 14.7%]. The defect comprised skeletal malformations [2.5/1000], central nervouse system abnormalities [1.84/1000], known syndromes [1.25/1000], uro-genital system abnormalties [1/1000], skin abnormalties [0.33/1000]. There were significant differences in incidence between those with consanguineous and non consanguineous parants. On the other hand there was no significant association with maternal age

Risk factors of acute respiratory infection among hospital listed children in Basrah: the results of a case control study

A case control study was carried out to investigate the role of selected presumed risk factors in the occurrence of acute respiratory infection [ARI] among hospitalised children below five years in Basrah City, south of Iraq. Controls were children of similar age range attending for routine immunization schedule. The main factors which were found to be associated with significant risk of ARI were parental illiteracy, presence of a sibling with ARI during the month prior to admission of the child, admission of a sibling below five years, use of kerosene for cooking and mother's employment. Father's smoking, crowding and use of kerosene for heating were not to be significantly associated with ARI among children