Prevalence and risk factors of dental decays in 3-7 years old children referred to pediatric clinics of Islamic Azad University

Dental caries is one of the most common infectious diseases and is high in developing countries such as Iran. Children who develop dental caries in young age are at higher risk of further decay in old ages. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of dental caries in 3-7 years old children. This was a cross-sectional analytic study performed on 200 children aged 3-7 year old and referred to pediatric clinics. Detection of dental caries was accomplished by optic tactile methods using sound and mirror and further evaluation of the objective variables through a questionnaire. Data were evaluated by SPSS version 13 and univariate analysis. According to the data found in our study, the prevalence of dental caries was 63.5% and of dmf 2.32 +/- 2.56. There was a positive correlation between the prevalence of dental caries and age of children, night feeding after 1 year old, frequency of sweet feeding during the day, mother age, mother education, and socioeconomic status. Dental caries is not only a general health problem but also a social problem as it is associated with family income and education. Targeted programs regarding the childhood nutrition, family education and family support over the dental care are important in prevention of dental diseases

Coexistence of vesicoureteral reflux and gasteroesophageal reflux in infants with urinary tract infection

vesicoureteral reflux [VUR] is a fairly common disorder in infants. Children with VUR frequently demonstrate various gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss. These symptoms similarly may present in gastrointestinal diseases like gastroesophageal reflux [GER]. It is thought that some children are prone to have both conditions. This study was done to investigate the coexistence of VUR and GER in infants with urinary tract infection. This cross sectional study was performed on all infants under 12 months old with urinary tract infection who were admitted to Tehran Mofid hospital during one year [Nov 2007-Nov 2008]. In all of these infants, we performed voiding cystoureterography [VCUG] to investigate VUR and gastric sonography to assess GER. We used questionnaires to assess our variables. Collected data were analized by SPSS ver 13 software and frequency tables and independent T test and Chi-square. Among 43 infants with urinary tract infection who performed VCUG and gastric sonography, the prevalence of VUR was 55.8% and the prevalence of GER was 48.8%. The coexistence of both conditions was found in 39.5%. No significant difference was found between coexistence of these disorders with presenting symptoms, sex, weight, type of microorganisms, type of feeding and grade of reflux. The coexistence of VUR and GER is common. Therefore in an infant with VUR who remains symptomatic in spite of treatment, the possibility of GER should be considered and evaluation for diagnosis and treatment of GER might be done

Incidence of urinary tract infection in hospitalized icteric neonates in Javaheri hospital [2003-2006]

Urinary tract infection [UTI] is one of the most common bacterial infection in childhood. It's incidence in neonates is 0.1 - 1% and it is more common in premature, low birth weight and uncircumcission male infants. More reports suggested association between hyperbilirubinemia with unknown etiology and bacterial infection including UTI, but AAP has not still recommended to evaluate such infections as routine. This study did to evaluate the incidence of UTI in icteric neonates without fever and other signs. This was a cross sectional study on 400 hospitalized icteric neonates without fever and other signs at Javaheri hospital in 2003-2006. In these neonates urinalysis was done by bag and if urinalysis or urine culture was positive, then the test repeated through suprapubic procedure. Evaluation of urinary tract anomalies and reflux were done in patients. The results analysis by frequency tables and T and chi square tests. The incidence of UTI in hospitalized icteric neonate was 1.8%. It was more common in males and the most common isolated organism was E coli. There was unilateral dilatation of pyelocaliceal system in one case [14.3%]. In attention to low incidence of UTI in icteric neonates without other signs, it is recommended to perform urine test in prolonged jaundice with unknown etiology, direct hyperbilirubinemia or when hyperbilirubinemia decreases difficulty

[Prevalence of gestational diabetes and comparison of mean maternal age in healthy and gestational diabetic patients at Javaheri hospital [2003-2006]]

Maternal age is an important risk factor in gestational diabetes but there is controversy about determination of age cut off as a risk factor for its prevalence. To evaluate the prevalence of gestational diabetes and also the comparison of maternal age in healthy and gestational diabetic patients. This was a cross-sectional study in which the records of pregnant women referred to Javaheri hospital during 2003-2006 were investigated. The data were analyzed by SPSS and independent t-test. A total of 5107 pregnant women were evaluated during this time period and 170 cases found to suffer from gestational diabetes. The prevalence of gestational diabetes was 3.3% during the four-year study. The mean age of gestational diabetic group was 30.4 +/- 5 years and of normal women 27.5 +/- 5. There was a significant difference between two groups [p<0.001]. Meanwhile, 90% of gestational diabetic women were above 24 year. According to this study and new guidelines, it is suggested that the age screening of gestational diabetes in pregnant women to be reviewed and replaced by the use of a recommended age base of 25 year or higher

[Correlation between neonatal cord blood hemoglobin and hematocrit with mode of delivery]

Increased level of hemoglobin at birth is one of the essential iron storage in infants against iron deficiency anemia. Different causes could lead to decreased hemoglobin level at birth. To evaluate the association between cord blood hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and the mode of delivery [cesarean section against normal vaginal delivery]. This was an analytic cross-sectional study carried out on 100 normal vaginal delivery infants and equal number of babies delivered by cesarean section infants at Tehran Najmieh Hospital during 2005. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were measured using cord blood samples. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using independent t test. In normal vaginal delivery infants, the mean hemoglobin content of cord blood was 15 +/- 1.7 g/dl and the mean hematocrit 46% +/- 4.9%. Similarly, the mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of cord blood among cesarean section infants were 14.6 +/- 1.9 g/dl and 45.6% +/- 5.7%, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the cord blood hemoglobin and mode of delivery. The levels of cord blood hemoglobin and hematocrit in cesarean section infants are lower than those in normal vaginal delivery infants hence, the former are more likely to be at risk of developing iron deficiency anemia than the recent group

Etiologies of intrauterine fetal death

Intrauterine fetal death accounts for more than half of perinatal mortalities. Detection of causes of fetal death can lead to prevention of such events in further pregnancies and produce useful information to other members of the family. To identify the causes of intrauterine fetal death and also detecting the contributing role of fetal, maternal and placental abnormalities in such conditions. This was a descriptive study carried out at Tehran Javaheri hospital over a 7-year period [1996-2003]. All cases of intrauterine fetal death in which the subjects were older than 20 weeks of gestation were studied. Data were collected using patients medical records. Following evaluation of objective variables, the data were analyzed by SPSS 11 and descriptive statistics. The highest percentage [42.5%] of IUFD causes were due to placental and fetal cord abnormalities followed by fetal [16%], maternal [14.5%] and unknown [27%] causes. Among known causes, congenital fetal anomalies were the highest. Abruption of placenta and diabetes in mothers were the most causes of IUFD associated with the placental and maternal causes, respectively. Regarding the high rate of unknown causes [27%] found in our study, detection of causes of fetal death through autopsy procedure, cytologic examination and parvovirus B19 evaluation is recommended. Mothers with past history of IUFD should be screened for antiphospholipid antibodies titer. Also a triple test including [alfa-fetoprotein, unconjugated striol and HCG] must be performed for all pregnant women during the 15[th] to 20[th] weeks of gestation to detect the presence of any congenital anomalies

Prevalence of BCG adenitis in infants vaccinated at birth

BCG vaccine is a safe and effective product. The most common side effects are ulceration at the site of vaccination and also regional lymphadenitis. The risk of suppurative lymphadenitis is more common in neonates than in infants and children. To detect the prevalence of BCG adenitis in vaccinated infants and also evaluating the correlation between incidence of BCG adenitis and sex, birth weight and gestational age of neonates. This was a retrospective analytical study in which 500 infants vaccinated at birth were evaluated for presence of BCG adenitis using a questionnaire. The correlation between occurrence of BCG adenitis and sex, gestational age and birth weight of neonates was analyzed by chi-square test. The prevalence of BCG adenitis was 6%. No positive correlation between occurrence of BCG adenitis and the neonate sex was found. However, there was a positive correlation between occurrence of BCG adenitis and both the neonate birth weight and gestational age [p<0.05]. Based on data found in our study, more attention to gestational age and birth weight is recommended to reduce the occurrence of BCG vaccine complications

Prevalence of congenital anomalies in 1000 live births in Javaheri Hospital, Tehran, 2004

Totally, 3-5% of neonates have detectable congenital anomalies. Congenital anomalies are important causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. With decreasing incidence of fatal infectious diseases, congenital anomalies would be one of the main causes of infants mortality in future. This study has performed to determine the prevalence of congenital anomalies in 1000 live-born neonates at Javaheri Hospital in Tehran during a 6-month period in 2004. For this cross sectional study, 1000 live-born neonates were selected. Neonates with major and minor anomalies were identified by reviewing their medical records. Finally, data analysis was achieved by SPSS software. Congenital anomalies were identified in 52 of 1000 live-born neonates, mostly among male neonates. Undescended testis was by far the most common congenital anomaly. According to the involved system, there was orderly the anomalies of musculoskeletal system, urogenital, cardiovascular, CNS and GI tract. Calcaneovalgus [musculoskeletal anomaly] and undescended testis and hypospadiasis [urogenital anomalies] were found more frequently than others. Some of the congenital anomalies are not recognized at birth and may occur later in life, thus, the aforementioned prevalence rate is underestimated. Attention to preconception care, prenatal care and genetic counseling for high risk parents have important role in prevention of congenital anomalies