comparative study on growth pattern of low birth weight and normal birth weight neonates

Low birth weight [LBW, birth weight<2500g] is a significant health problem in children all around the world. There is a direct relationship between low birth weight and infant mortality rate. One of the most important measures to prevent childhood morbidity is growth monitoring. The present study was planned to compare the growth rate of LBW neonates with those weighing 2500g and more at birth [normal birth weight [NBW]] during the first two years of life. This was a retrospective cohort study, which included 218 two years old infants [109 LBW, 109 NBW]. Data gathering tool was a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive analytic statistical methods [the t- test and the chi 2 test]. Our findings revealed that there was a significant difference between the mean values of child weight, height and head circumference from birth until 2 years of age between the two groups [the LBW group had lower values than the NBW group]. Height by age, weight by age and weight by height indices also had significant difference between the two groups until 2 years of age. Growth curves in LBW group were upslope until 2 years old. Moreover, the weight percentile of the LBW children at 2 years of age was deeper than the NBW group. In the present study, comparison of growth parameters until 2 chart years of age and growth of both groups showed a better growth velocity in the LBW group. The LBW growth curve moved upslope and was more compatible with standard percentiles throughout the growth curve. However, growth of the NBW group was not fine and more investigation is needed in this field

[ comparative study on the growth of children born with low birth weight and normal birth weight within 2 years after birth]

Low birth weight [LBW, birth weight< 2500 g] is a significant health problem of children. Many studies have made it apparent that there is a direct relationship between low birth weight and infant mortality. One of the most important measurements to prevent children morbility is growth monitoring. The present study was set up to compare the growth of children born with low weight with those with weight of 2500 g and more at birth [normal birth weight, NBW] during 2 years after birth. This research is a retrospective Cohort study. The samples included 218 two-years-old Children. Selection criteria for the LBW and NBW infants were factors such as having birth weight< 2500 g in LBW group and 2500-4000 in NBW group, absence of congential anomalies and born from singleton pregnancies act. Needed data were were collected through a questionnaire by the researcher. Statistical analysis was carried out by t-test and the chi square test. Our findings revealed that the group of LBW children hand a statistically significant lower body weight, shorter stature, smaller head circumference and lower weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height indexes upto two years compared to the group of NBW children. Moreover, the weight percentile of LBW children at 2 years off age was less than the NBW group. The data suggest that low birth weight adversely affect children's growth in their early life. Therefore, LBW infants require special considerations about growth follow up and monitoring after birth

[ comparison of distraction and EMLA Cream effects on pain intensity due to intravenus Catheters in 5-12 years old thalassemic children]

Intravenous [IV] insertion is a common painful procedure in pediatric care and it is a source of distress in children. Many children especially those suffering from chronic diseases such as thalassemia experince treatment procedures without any pain relief. This study was performed to compare the effect of distraction and eutectic mixture of local anesthetic [EMLA] cream on pain intensity of IV catheterizing in children with thalasemia. In this study a clinical trial was performed on 32 thalassemic children aged 5-12 years selected by convenient sampling method. The methods of distraction, EMLA cream and control [routine intervention] were used for each case in three stages with 14 days intervals. Data was collected by Ocher scales and CMFS questionnaire and was analyzed using t- and Wilcoxon test. There was a significant difference between mean pain intensity [numeral and photographic] of distraction and EMLA cream methods compared to the control, but not between distraction and EMLA cream Our findings showed that both distraction and EMLA cream procedures decreased pain of IV catheter with the same level of efficacy. However, since distraction method is more economical than EMLA ointment, it is recommended

[Social factors associated with infants' mortality]

Introduction: One of the important health indexes showing health status of a society is health index of mortality rate of children < 1 year. There are many negative parameters weakening potentiality of children in growth and development of which some can be categorized as social factors. This research has tried to investigate some factors as education level, parents' jobs, maternal care, the times of childcare, breast feeding and < 1 year children mortality

Methods: This is a descriptive comparative retrospective study in which there were 121 less then 1 year children [dead and live] referring to Isfahan health centers selected with all including criteria. The data were collected by questionnaires and categorized into two groups, to be investigated and compared. Content validity and standardized fixed forms were used for questionnaire validity and reliability respectively. The data were analyzed by descriptive inferential statistics [X[2], T-test-mantel Hanzel and column chart] through SPSS software

Results: The findings showed that there was a significant association between parents' education, fathers' jobs. mothers' jobs, manner of breast feeding, the times of child care, maternal care and mortality of children < 1 year

Discussion: Regarding the results, it seems that government, organization, and authorities concerning health strategies as well as health provider staffs play a major role in prediction and control of social factors affecting infants' mortality. These roles can be in forms of education, socio economic and cultural status promoting plans among men and women as well as enhancement of public knowledge