Some maternal factors affecting anthropometric measurments of newborns

Fetal growth may at any time during gestational period be affected by several factors that may cause diseases to fetuses or neonates, and interfere with neonatal morbidity and mortality. Among these factors are racial, genetic, socioeconomic factors and maternal malnutrition and illnesses like diabetes, preeclampsia and anemia. Our aim is to study the effect of maternal height, age, and illnesses on the anthropometric measurements of full term singleton newborns. Two hundred full term singleton newborns were studied cross-sectionally in the maternity wards of 2 hospitals in the medical city / Baghdad. They were assessed by measuring the newborn weight, length and occipitofrontal circumference using standard methods of measurements. The gestational age was assessed by simplified Ballard-Dubowitz method. Mother's height was also measured. The maternal illnesses during pregnancy were listed in special questionnaire form. Statistical analysis was done by statistician. Of 200 full term singleton newborns, 109 [54.5%] were females and 91 [45.5%] were males. Mean body weight of males was 2850 grams, while that of females was 2600 grams. Mean length of males was 48.75 cms, while that of females was 48 cms. Mean OFC of males was 34.5 cms, while that of females was 33.5 ems. The weight of males was more than that of females at maternal height of 140-150 cms, 161-170 ems and 171-180 ems. Males were longer at maternal height of 161-180 ems. Males had higher OFC than females at maternal height of 161-180 ems. Males were lighter in weight than females of preeclamptic mothers, but no such effect on length and OFC. Maternal anemia also affect mainly newborn s' weight. There is no effect of other maternal diseases on weight, length, and OFC. The largest number and heaviest weight of newborns were at maternal age of 26-35 years, while male newborns of extreme maternal ages being longer than females. No effect of maternal age on OFC. In this study, we found more female newborns than males, and the mean weight, length and OFC of males were greater than that of females, and the heaviest newborns were at maternal height of 170- 180 cms .Maternal preeclampsia and anemia affecting newborns weight mainly. Maternal age of 26-35 years gave heavier newborns. We recommend improving the maternal antenatal care, nutrition, and controlling maternal illnesses to improve the neonatal anthropometric measurements, and also recommend making wide national study to construct and apply local intrauterine growth curves specific to our country

Effect of ventricular septal defect on the growth pattern of children

VSD is the most common cardiac malformation accounting for 25% of congenital heart disease. The VSDs are classified according to its haemodynamic effect into small, moderate and large. The VSD can affect the growth, which is defined as a progressive increase in size of the body as a whole or of its separate parts and can result in failure to thrive in affected patients. This study was done to demonstrate the effects of the VSD on weight, height and occiptofrontal circumference [OFC] of children as parameters of growth. This is a prospective study of 50 patients with isolated VSD done in welfare Teaching hospital and Ibn Al-Bitar cardiac center during the period from January to July 2005. The diagnosis of VSD was done by clinical picture and confirmed by echocardiographic examination to study the effect of malnutrition and other factors on the growth another 50 patients without VSD were included as control group. For each patient the growth parameters [weight, height and head circumference] were measured. The age of the patients with VSD ranged from [14 days to 14 years]. The male to female ratio was 1.1 to 1. In patients with VSD the weight of 20 patients [40%] were below 3rd centile in comparison with 3 patients in the control group and this is statistically significant [P<0.001], while the differences in the height of both groups was not statistically significant. The head circumference of 14 patients [28%] were below 2%, while, 3 patients [6%] only in control group and this difference was statistically significant [P<0.005]. The effect of VSD on the growth parameters depended on the size of the VSD. There was a significant effect of moderate and large VSD on both weight and head circumference while small VSD had no such effect. From this study, we conclude that the weight is the most sensitive parameter for studying the effect of VSD on the growth parameters. The patients with moderate VSD, should be managed as serious as large VSD because of its adverse effect on growth

Lead posoning in children

Lead is one of the first metals to have sewed mankind. It was among the earliest metals used by man and was known to tire early Egyptians and Hebrews. To study the epidemiology of Lead poisoning regarding age, sex, areas of distribution, type of feeding, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and the outcome. Fifty patients with lead poisoning were studied in Al-Mansour [Children's welfare Teaching Hospital], Medical City, Baghdad, were included in the study. Forty five [90%] children were under one year of age. Twenty nine [58%] children were males. Forty four [88%] children were from Anbar Governorate. Thirty five [70%] were from rural areas. Six [12%] infants were solely breast fed. Forty [80%] children presented with convulsions. Twenty six [52%] children their hemoglobin levels were [5.1 - 9] g/dl. Basophilic stippling seen in [38%] and urinary delta ALA were raised >Img/L in all children. Lead lines were seen in [54%] of the children wrist X-rays. Lead poisoning is a major problem in Al-Anbar Governorate. Especially Qaeem region, so infants and children in this area should be screened. Estimation of lead levels at different sites of the river and other water sources, soil, animals, agriculture products and all types of alkohl. Lead poisoning should be suspected in any infant with unexplained encephalopathy and particularly if resident in Al-.4nbar Governorate and all members of the family of the affected baby should be screened for lead poisoning

Weaning attitudes and practices in Baghdad community

This study was conducted on 150 infants in Al-Mansoor Children's Teaching Hospital, Medical City from Jan. - April 1992. The infants ages were 6-12 months. 62.6% were males; 75% were urban areas. Fifty six infants [37%] were breast fed. 60.7% of mothers gave weaning food to support breast milk. The mother's age had no significant effect on the time of weaning, mothers with secondary and high education prefer weaning at early age [3 months]. Weaning started at 4-6 months by 66% of mothers. Biscuits, soups, cereals, eggs, fruit juices and rice water were foods first introduced. The source of advice to 88 mothers [59%] about weaning was from the grandmother

Pica in children with anaemia

One hundred and thirty seven children with anaemia and haemoglobin levels of 7g/dl or less on their admission were studied in Ibn Al-Baladi and Al-Mansoor Childrens' Hospitals, during the period from 1986-1990. History of pica was given in forty one patients [30%]; only thirty two Patients were included in the study with a male to female ratio of 1.46:1. Thirty children [94%] were under six years of age. Almost all Patients came from poor and low socio-economic class families. The duration of pica was 3 months to 2 years. Thirty one children [97%] had hypochromic microcytic anaemia, 28 children [88%] had low serum iron and all the children had raised total iron binding capacity. Pica seems to be related to the anaemia and to low serum iron, and not to the underlying cause of the anaemia. The iron deficiency anaemia in twenty two children [66%] was dietary in origin. None of the patients had clinical manifestation of chronic lead poisoning and none were mentally retarded. Two patient s had giradiasis. Pica was discovered when the parents of the children, especially those with anaemia were specifically asked

Malnutrition in hospital patients with special emphasis on the causes of failure to thrive in children under two years of age

The study was based on one hundred children under two years of age, with weight below the third centile on Tanner Growth Chart, admitted to Al-Mansour Children Teaching Hospital, Saddam Medical City, during the period from 1st December, 1992 to the 1st of April, 1993. 57 children were males, 43 were females, with male preponderance of 1.3:1. 69 children [69%] were below one year of age. 53 [53%] children were marasmus, and abnormality short, below3rd centile, and regarded as failure to thrive. 40 patients [40%] were underweight, 5 patients [5%] were marsumus-Kwashiorkor, and 2 patients [2%] were kwashiorkor. In 22 patients [22%] malnutrition was due to defective intake. None were due to neglect or deliberate underfeeding. In 78 patients [78%] malnutrition was due to organic causes; of in which 34 patients [34%] were it was due to chronic gastro-enteritis. Serial monitoring of body weight and dietary intake records will provide useful information on the nutritional state of ill children

Kala-azar [visceral leishmaniasis] in children

Thirty children with Kala- azar [Visceral Leishmaniasis] were studied at the Children Hospital, Medical City, over a period f two years [1989- 1990]. All were less than 3 years of age. The disease was found to be endemic in certain areas around the capital Baghdad, and near to the river, with increased morbidity during winter and spring months. Its clinical presentation were mainly prolonged fryer, pallor, loss of weight, abdominal distension and splenomegaly. The presence of jaundice indicates a severe form of the disease and carries poor prognosis. Imniunofluorescent antibody test [IFAT] is the most valuable test for diagnosis. Sodium Stibogluconate [Pentostam] is the drug of choice for the first time steroids has been used and found to be useful additional therapy in the very ill jaundiced patients

case report of hutchinson-gilford progeria syndrome

A case of Hutchinson- Gliford Progeria Syndrome is described with special consideration to clinical features and the outcome of these rare conditions