Prevalence of obesity in school children of Hazara division

Limited data is available in Pakistan regarding prevalence of obesity in school going children. The objective of this study was to find out obesity prevalence in school going children in Hazara division. It was descriptive study. Data of 3200 students was collected over six month period, from Hazara Division. Four schools were selected in each district two for boys and two for females. District Kohistan was excluded from study as female education is not permitted beyond primary education. Children 5-14 year age group were included in the study. Initial 20 students of each class were selected for study. Anthropometric data [weight, height] for each student was collected and entered on Performa structured for this purpose. BMI was calculated and values were compared with standard BMI charts of National Health Centre for health statistics. Prevalence of obesity was 4.78%. Out of 3,200 children enrolled 153 [4.78%] were obese. Male to female ratio was 1:1.2. The prevalence of obesity was high in private school students than government schools [66.66% and 33%]. The prevalence was high in both sexes in 12-14 years and 6-7 years age groups [49% and 20.26%]. Prevalence of obesity in present study is similar to the results from developing countries in the region but prevalence is lower than developed countries. Problem of obesity also exists in developing countries and there is need to create awareness about obesity and related complications

Status epilepticus: aetiology and outcome in children

Convulsing Status Epilepticus [CSE] is a common paediatric emergency especially under 24 months age group. Present study was done to know causes of Status Epilepticus [SE] and outcome during admission and at the time of discharge. A descriptive study in children 2 months to 15 years of age, admitted in Department of Paediatrics, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad with first status epilepticus, was done to evaluate aetiology, complications and immediate outcome after relevant history, examination, laboratory tests. All information was recorded on Performa designed especially for this purpose. Study was conducted over 2 year period from November 2005 to November 2007. Total number of children admitted with SE was 125. Majority of SE episodes were related to acute febrile illnesses. Acute viral encephalitis was the common cause of SE especially in children younger than 24 months followed by febrile convulsions. Fifteen [12%] patients expired while neurological complications secondary to brain injury developed in 10[8%] cases. Mean seizure duration was 4.92 +/- 9.18 hours in children with normal outcome, 5.93 +/- 5.76 hours in children who died, and 12.85 +/- 12.91 hours in children with abnormal neurological outcome at discharge [p > 0.05]. Correlation between age and duration of seizure was not significant [p > 0.05]. SE is a common paediatric emergency associated with high mortality and morbidity. In young children SE is commonly associated with acute viral encephalitis. Antiviral treatment should be started earlier in this group of young children after history, examination, laboratory tests along with appropriate management of SE