Evaluation of the preventive effects of purgative manna on neonatal icterus in Sanandaj

Herbal medicines have been used commonly as a traditional therapeutic method for treatment of medical disorders. Previous studies had shown that purgative manna [Shirkhesht] can be used for the treatment of infantile icterus, however no study has been performed on the preventive effects of this herb on infantile icterus. This study was conducted to evaluate the preventive effects of purgative manna on neonatal icterus. This was a double blind clinical trial and included neonates born in Besat Hospital, in Sanandaj. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of blocked randomization. Twenty four hours after birth, five drops of oral purgative manna drop [BiliNaster produced by Sobhan Co.] was given to the intervention group three times a day, for three days and a placebo produced by the same company was given to the infants in the control group with the same dose for three days. Bilirubin was measured every day from the third to fifth days. This study included 140 neonates. Intervention and control groups had no significant difference in regard to basic variables such as sex, type of birth, and billirubin. 11 neonates [15.7%] in purgative manna group and 15 neonates [21.4%] in placebo group had developed icterus which showed no significant difference [p=0.38]. In addition, the mean values of billirubin measured in the control and intervention groups from the third to fifth days were 12.2 mg/deciliter [ +/- 2] and 12.5 mg/deciliter [ +/- 1.9] respectively which had no significant statistical difference [p=0.54]. According to the results of this study, use of five drops of purgative manna three times a day, for three days, did not have any preventive effect on neonatal icterus between the third and fifth days after birth. Some studies have showed the effectiveness of this drug in preventing neonatal icterus, but we did not observe such effect in our study

[Reports of children with Kawasaki disease hospitalized in pediatric units in Besat and Taminjtemaee hospitals in Sanandaj]

Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis mainly affecting children under 5. Its etiology is still unknown. Kawasaki disease can only be diagnosed clinically as there exists no specific laboratory test that can tell if someone has it. The cardiac complications are, by far, the most important aspect of the disease. This study reports the signs and the symptoms of patients with Kawasaki disease hospitalized in pediatric units in Besat and Taminejtemaee hospitals. In this was a retrospective study of medical record of 20 patients with Kawasaki disease admitted to the pediatric units of Besat and Taminejtemaee hospitals from 2001 to 2005. Were evaluated and analyzed by statistical methods. 60% patients [12 cases] were male and 75% [15 cases] were aged between 2 and 5. The typical clinical manifestations were seen in 14 cases [70%]. The most common sign was mucosal changes [85%]. CRP was positive in 17 cases [85%]. Cardiac valvular dysfunction was reported in 4 cases [20%] yet no aneurysm was reported. For 6 patients, the problem had started in summer. Two patients [10%] had hemoglobin < 10 mg/dl with WBC under 10.000 in 8 cases [40%]. IVIG and aspirin were administered for 15 patients [75%]. Our report shows a higher prevalence of atypical Kawasaki disease in these two hospitals compared to other areas. The fact that diagnosis is only clinical with no specific laboratory test to detect the disease emphasized the importance of accurate clinical examinations during early stages which in turn will prevent future complications

effect of training movies on exclusive breastfeeding

There have been a lot of studies about the interventions affecting breastfeeding, but the efficacy of training and educational movies has not yet been proved. This survey compares the efficacy of training movies versus common method of face-to-face training in health care centers. This was a single blind randomized controlled trail. Participants were selected and allocated randomly. In addition to the routine face to face trainings presented by health workers, the intervention group members got a training movie including important breastfeeding points and the way of doing that. The participants were evaluated by blinded investigator at sixth birth month. From all samples, 118 mothers [50.2%] were doing exclusive breastfeeding; 7[3%] didn't practice breastfeeding and 202 mothers [85.9%] at least had the experience of 6 months of breastfeeding. There wasn't any difference in exclusive breastfeeding among these two groups [p>0.05]. Two hundred twenty five participants [95.7%] did overnight breastfeeding and there was not any significant statistical difference in two groups [p>0.05]. This survey's findings and the conclusion of mentioned facts demonstrate that using training movies alone can not help to increase exclusive breastfeeding and decrease its problems; however face to face training can be very effective and training movies shouldn't replace live and direct counselling