Prevalence and associated factors of persistent diarrhoea in Iranian children admitted to a paediatric hospital

To identify the frequency and associated factors of persistent diarrhoea in a paediatric hospital in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, children admitted with acute diarrhoea were followed prospectively until resolution of the episode. Persistent diarrhoea developed in 19.6% of the 424 diarrhoea cases. Children with persistent diarrhoea were significantly younger than those with acute diarrhoea [15.3 versus 29.4 months]. Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli was the most prevalent pathogen in both groups, but otherwise the profile of symptoms and isolated organisms was similar in the 2 groups. History of dietary change prior to admission and use of antibiotics and anticholinergic drugs in the acute phase were significantly higher in the persistent than acute diarrhoea cases

analysis of hydatid cyst surgeries in patients referred to hospitals in Khorram-Abad, Lorestan during 2002-06

Echinococcosis or hydatid cyst [HC] is considered as one of the major parasitic infections in Iran that causes many health problems and economic losses in communities. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HC in patients referred to surgery wards of three hospitals in Khorram-Abad, the center of Lorestan province in South-West of Iran from 2002 - 2006. Totally, 64513 medical records of patients referred to surgery wards of Shohadaye Ashayer, Tohid and Taamine Ejtemaee hospitals in Khorram-Abad Lorestan were studied. These patients had gone under surgical operations for different reasons. Among these medical records, 43.7% belonged to Shohadaye Ashayer, 8.2% to Tohid and 18.1% to Taamine ejtemaee hospitals. Cysts were found in liver and lung in 61.5% and 20.5% of cases, respectively. In addition, cysts were found in brain, muscle, kidney eye and peritonea in the remaining 18% of cases. A very low level of knowledge about hydatid disease was found in the community. The mean age of the patients was 40.2 years and the highest rate of infection with HC was observed in women. Further studies are required to find the etiologic factors of H.C in Khorram-Abad Lorestan-Iran