Environmental factors and infant's developmental status at the age of six month

Although the results of many clinical studies suggest that breast-fed children score higher on tests of cognitive function than do formula-fed children, some investigations have suggested that these differences are related to confounding variables such as socio-economic status or maternal education and that all these factors does not show except in late childhood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of breast feeding and other risk factors on infant development, among low socio economic children born under optimal biological conditions, and who are exposed to adverse social circumstances. Infants of both sexes, in the amount of 115, were studied and controlled retrospectively from birth to 6 months. Their developmental performance was assessed using Denver-Il. Breast feeding and other confounding factors were studied. Breast feeding, parental education and growth measurement were found to affect consistently infant's development in one or more fields. A statistical significant correlation was found between infant's growth and motor development while the language and social development were more linked to the type of feeding and parental education

Effect of supplementation with zinc and iron on growth, development and morbidity in infants in an urban neighborhood in Cairo, Egypt

Iron and zinc are trace minerals that are of critical importance to the young infant for normal growth and development.To investigate the effect of zinc and iron supplementation on growth and mental performance in infants. This study is a r and omized controlled trial conducted in an old crowded district in Cairo, Egypt. At baseline 119 infants aged 4 months [ +/- 15 days] randomly assigned to receive 5ml per day of either supplement A [multivitamins with zinc and iron added] or supplement B [multivitamins without zinc and iron]. Infants were examined clinically and anthropometric measures [weight, length and knee-heel] were taken. They were followed up for history taking [diet and morbidity], clinical examination and anthropometric measurements every 15 days till the age of 10 months +/- 2 weeks. Mental and Motor development were assessed at baseline [4 months] and at the end of the study [10 month +/- 2 weeks] using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development [BSID II]. The study was single blinded for clinical and growth assessment, while it was double blinded for developmental evaluation.Infants included in the study were those who had at least 3 recordings of anthropometric measurements [n=69 infants]. Repeated measures ANOVA test was used to compare differences between the groups, change with time, and group and time interaction. At the end of the study the zinc and iron supplemented group showed a slight but insignificant rise in anthropometric measurements. Developmental performance [MDI and PDI] also showed an insignificant rise at the end of the study in the supplemented group. Change with time is the same in both groups, differences between groups is the same at each time period. Comparison of growth rate between the two groups showed a trend towards increased velocity of all growth parameters in the zinc and iron supplemented group, however the difference between the two groups is not significant. Comparison of number of episodes of fever, upper respiratory tract infection [URTI] lower respiratory tract infection [LRTI] and diarrhea between the two groups showed no statistical differences, though we could see an increase in the percent number of infants with morbidity [except for URTI] in the group not supplemented with iron and zinc.Infants in both groups gained weight and length similar to reference data. In spite of this, we see a trend towards increased velocity of weight in the zinc and iron supplemented group as compared to the non-supplemented group. This is also associated with an apparent decrease in morbidity in the supplemented group

Assessment of developmental performance of a group of Egyptian infants using the Denver development screening test

Developmental Screening is considered one of the most important tools for early detection of mental disability. Several developmental screening tests are available for the use in infants and children. There are certain accepted criteria by which various tests are judged to be appropriate for use in screening programs. By far the most commonly used screening test is the Denver Developmental Screening Test [DDST-II]. The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy of the DDST to be used as a screening instrument in Egypt during the first 6 months of life. About 150 infants were enrolled in the study in three age groups: 0-2 months, 2-4 months, and 4- 7 months. Infants were routinely followed up in two well baby clinics at El Galaa Maternity Teaching Hospital and El-Khodeiry Hospital during the period from January 2000 until December 2002. Results of the DDST were analyzed in the following direction: Child developmental performance analysis, Task analysis, and Test analysis. The number of infants who passed the test were more than the expected from their mates at the same age and the same percentile. In the 25th percentile 41.6% of infants passed items which were passed only by 25% of their age mates and 78.2% passed items which were passed by 50% of their mates. Although there is no perfect screening test available, yet DDST is considered one of the best useful tools in identifying children who will be otherwise missed without formal screening. It is advisable to use this instrument as developmental surveillance tool in all health care units and well baby clinics after adjustment for age norms

Acute respiratory infection: a cohort study of rural Egyptian preschool children

Acute respiratory tract infections [ARI] were studied during a 2-year study period in 250 preschool children living in a rural area in Giza. The children were weekly clinically examined. The annual incidence rate of ARI ranged from 6.8 to 8.1 episodes per child per year. The incidence was highest in the first year of life and decreased with increasing age. The incidence was higher in boys than in girls. The most common symptoms were cough, nasal discharge and fever, where the most common signs referable to the respiratory tract were abnormal breathing sounds. ARI interfered with appropriate physical growth. Finally, early and proper treatment of ARI contributes greatly to the prevention of the development of severe respiratory tract illness