Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in infants with protein-energy malnutrition.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) colonization in infants with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and to characterize the antibiotic susceptibility patterns in isolated strains. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 123 infants with PEM, admitted to the Paediatric Rehabilitation Department of,,St. Mary" Emergency Clinical Children's Hospital Iasi, during October 1st 2010 and August 30th 2011. Nasal, pharyngeal and conjunctival swabs were collected for detection of colonization upon admission and at discharge. RESULTS: The study revealed a high rate of MRSA carriage among infants with PEM (62.60%), most of the isolated strains being multidrug-resistant (86.13%), with additional resistance to aminoglycosides, macrolides and inducible resistance to clindamycin. 88% of colonized infants were nasal carriers. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of MRSA carriers permits the implementation of measures that decrease the risk for subsequent infection.

[Cross-sectional study to evaluate risk factors in infant malnutrition]. / Studiu transversal de evaluare a unor factori de risc implicati în aparitia malnutritiei la sugar.

UNLABELLED: Malnutrition is a major health problem in our country by maintaining a high number of infants with poor nutritional status. Various studies have highlighted the role of infant's malnutrition in the development of adult diseases. METHODS: We made a cross-sectional study during six months (October 2010 - March 2011) on a group of 63 infants admitted in Pediatric Recovery Department-Children's Hospital, Iasi; we evaluated the presence of risk factors for malnutrition. The data were processed using SPSS 16 and Epilnfo 3.5.2. (December 2010). RESULTS: The infants were predominantly female (52,4%); the most affected age group was 5-24 weeks (84,11%). Most of them came from rural areas (79,4%), from families with low socioeconomic income (95,2%), mothers with a low educational status (63,4%), housewives (88,9%). We noted the presence of previous diseases in 71,4% infants. Only 12 infants received breast milk for a short time (three weeks), the other 51 infants have been bottle-fed since birth. Complementary food was incorrect in 68,42% cases. With a proper diet the mean weight gain was 895,68 g and the Z score values (weight for age, height for age, weight for height) have improved during an average of 34,15 days; positive correlation between these factors is strong. CONCLUSIONS: Low socio-economic income, rural areas, low maternal educational level, diet errors, small infants with multiple previous diseases are the main risk factors in malnutrition's occurrence. We consider particularly important to solve social problems too, not only the medical, because when the infant returns in the same disadvantaged family there is an increased risk for malnutrition to recur.

[Cross-sectional study to evaluate the development and risk factors in premature children]. / Studiu transversal de evaluare a evolutiei si a unor factori de risc la copilul nascut prematur.

UNLABELLED: Prematurity represents an important medical problem due to the increased incidence and complex treatment measures. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We have made a cross-sectional study to evaluate the causes and risk factors of prematurity and after-birth evolution in 652 premature children. RESULTS: Most children had mothers of low socio-economic status (70.1%), from the countryside (70.5%), housewives (82.8%), elementary educational level (67.7%). The age of pregnancy at the beginning of the observation was significantly different in the urban environment in comparison with the rural (p < 0.05). Emergency life support at birth was needed for 63.2% of the premature newborns and hospitalization in Intensive Care for respiratory distress for 77.6%. Intense icterus required phototherapy in 92% of preterm newborns. Epidemiologic survey proved bacterial colonization in 72.6% of the infants, mostly nasal (24.5%). There was an increased number of bottle-fed infants (63.6%), but regardless of the feeding method, the weight increase was proper. CONCLUSION: The improvement of perinatal care allowed the increase of survival rate of premature infants, but a more serious medical surveillance is needed in order to reduce the number of preterm births.

Zinc--essential micronutrient for child health and nutrition.

Ubicuity of zinc in nature has generally lead to the idea that human zinc deficiency is hardly to appear; however, the last 40 years of research studies showed clear correlation between zinc deficiency and several clinic manifestations: growth retardation, predisposal to infections, delay of wound healing, hypogonadism in boys. Zinc plays multiple roles, especially in pregnant women and children. Although the issue of micronutrient malnutrition has been pointed out in developing countries, it has been remarked also in developed ones, due to unbalanced nutrition and diets. The article aims pointing out important aspects related to zinc micronutrient: metabolic pathway, daily dosage, health benefits as prophylaxis and therapy of respiratory and digestive infections in children.