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Background: Although poor health conditions and decreased developmental levels have been investigated in migrant children, no study in China has focused on these children’s individual motor development. Objectives: This study aims to explore the prevalence of motor impairment in Chinese migrant children and to determine the contributory factors. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a structured questionnaire was administered to primary caregivers of preschool children aged 3 - 6 (n = 2,976) in ten kindergartens from two districts of Suzhou, China, to assess the children’s home socioeconomic status and motor environment, that is, the presence of affordances for motor development. Motor ability was assessed using the Movement Assessment battery for children-second edition (MABC-2). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for motor impairment in migrant children. Results: Migrant children showed correlations with impairment in manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and motor development (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.320, 1.255, 1.260, respectively; P < 0.05). Outdoor movement affordances and toys for fine motor development were significantly associated with motor impairment in migrant children (ORs = 0.834 [movement affordances, 0.843 [toys], P < 0.05). Conclusions: Chinese migrant children are at a high risk of motor impairment, which is associated with a lack of outdoor movement affordances and toys for fine motor development. Future prevention and intervention should focus on the motor environment of the home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several research trials have analyzed the impact of prematurity on the prevalence of hypertension (HT). However, prospective long-term studies are lacking. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HT at the age of 7 and 11 years in a regional cohort of preterm infants with a birth weight of ≤ 1000 g. Patients and Methods: This study included 67 children with a birth weight of ≤ 1000 g who were born in Malopolska between September 2002 and August 2004. The control group consisted of 38 children born at term, matched for age. Each child underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) twice, once at the age of 7 and again at 11 years. The presence of HT was estimated according to the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and a number of individual measurements. Results: At aged 7 years, preterm infants had a significantly higher incidence of HT, defined on the basis of MAP (15% vs. 0%; P < 0.02) and on the percent of individual measurements (56% vs. 33%, P < 0.036). After taking into account the group of patients who received anti-HT treatment after the first part of the study, the incidence of HT at the age of 11 years based on MAP was 19% vs. 10%. Based on the individual measurements, it was 36.5% in the preterm infants vs. 24% in the control group. The differences were not statistically significant. At both time points, the preterm group had a higher mean heart rate (HR) than the control group. Conclusions: Children born prematurely are predisposed to HT in later life, in addition to the persistence of an increased HR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Universal immunization against Bordetella pertussis has partially controlled the burden of the disease and its transmission. However, according to recent data, the epidemiology of this vaccine-preventable disease has changed. Now, younger infants, adolescents, and adults are at greater risk of infection. This article has studied the interaction between the various factors involved in the changing epidemiology of pertussis and the major obstacles faced by the current strategies in its prevention. Evidence Acquisition: In this narrative review, the most recently published sources of information on pertussis control measures, consisting of textbooks and articles, have been reviewed. We focused on the more recent data about the changing epidemiology or pertussis in Scopus through the use of the MeSH-term words [pertussis] or [whooping cough] and [epidemiology] or [outbreak] or [resurgence], but our search was not restricted to this particular strategy; we also tried to find all of the most recent available data in the general field through other means. Results: Primary and booster doses of the pertussis vaccine seem to partially control transmission of the disease, but despite the different preventive strategies available, pertussis continues to cause mortality and morbidity among high-risk groups. Conclusions: Adding booster doses of acellular pertussis vaccine to the current national immunization practices with whole-cell vaccines for young adults and pregnant women seems to be a good option for controlling mortality and morbidity among high-risk groups such as very young infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis B infection is a universal concern. This infection can lead to chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Neonates born to HBsAg-positive mothers are at high risk of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, especially for HBeAgpositive mothers or neonates who have not received hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) and HBV vaccines. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of post-exposure prophylaxis in these infants to prevent infection. Patients and Methods: Thirty-eight infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers between September 2006 and September 2013 were followed. The investigation evaluated whether the standard prevention protocol of neonatal HBV transmission including HBIg at birth and receiving three doses of vaccine at birth and 2 and 6 months of age was performed, followed by post-vaccination tests (evaluation of HBsAg and HBsAb titer at 9 to 18 months of age) to determine subsequent infection. HBsAb titer ≥ 10 was considered as criterion for effectiveness of the prophylaxis procedure. The acquired data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 18). The results are reported in descriptive tabulations. Results: Ninety seven percent (97%) of infants received HBIg at birth in the hospital. Generally, all of them received the first, second and third doses of vaccine at birth, 2 months, and 6 months after birth, respectively. Information for 35 mothers infected with HBV and 38 infants was available. The mean age of the mothers was 30.3 years. The results indicated that 20% of mothers were HBeAg positive. HBsAg was positive in one (2.6%) infant born to an HBeAg-positive mother. Around 94% of infants’ HBsAb titers were ≥ 10, and 5.8% were reported as non-responders. Conclusions: The vertical transmission prevention program used in the study population in Tehran, which had an appropriate sample size, is effective. Additional doses of the vaccine can be useful in raising the effectiveness of immunoprophylaxis for infants at high risk of HBV infection. Also, emphasis must be set on post-vaccination testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Obesity has now become a common health problem worldwide. To gain insight into the epidemiology of the problem in Iran, we systematically reviewed all available studies on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Iranian pediatric population. Evidence Acquisition: We systematically searched PubMed, ISI, SCOPUS, as well as Iranmedex, Irandoc, and Scientific Information Database (SID) databases.All studies on mean and standard deviation or percentile categories of BMI, WC, WHR, or WHtR or prevalence of obesity/overweight in Iranian child and adolescence, were performed from January 1990 to the end of December 2013. Refining processes were conducted by two independent reviewers. Quality assessment and data extraction followed based on validated form. As, these data were heterogeneous, meta-analysis was not performed. Results: From 3253 records, through three refining steps, 129 articles were found related to our study. In Iran, national studies are limited and nearly there is no comprehensive study for sub-national trends. Different age and sex groups had large variations in the prevalence of obesity and overweight (from 1% up to 16.1% and from 4.4% up to 42.3% respectively for obesity and overweight). Conclusions: Related data are very scattered or limited to some specific subgroups in some living areas. For comparing, aggregating, and imputing the information we need more modern practical statistical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prenatal hydronephrosis (PNH) is dilation in urinary collecting system and is the most frequent neonatal urinary tract abnormality with an incidence of 1% to 5% of all pregnancies. PNH is defined as anteroposterior diameter (APD) of renal pelvis ≥ 4 mm at gestational age (GA) of < 33 weeks and APD ≥ 7 mm at GA of ≥ 33 weeks to 2 months after birth. All patients need to be evaluated after birth by postnatal renal ultrasonography (US). In the vast majority of cases, watchful waiting is the only thing to do; others need medical or surgical therapy. Objectives: There is a direct relationship between APD of renal pelvis and outcome of PNH. Therefore we were to find the best cutoff point APD of renal pelvis which leads to surgical outcome. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study we followed 200 patients 1 to 60 days old with diagnosis of PNH based on before or after birth ultrasonography; as a prenatal or postnatal detected, respectively. These patients were referred to the nephrology clinic in Zahedan Iran during 2011 to 2013. The first step of investigation was a postnatal renal US, by the same expert radiologist and classifying the patients into 3 groups; normal, mild/moderate and severe. The second step was to perform voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) for mild/ moderate to severe cases at 4 - 6 weeks of life. Tc-diethylene triamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) was the last step and for those with normal VCUG who did not show improvement in follow-up examination, US to evaluate obstruction and renal function. Finally all patients with mild/moderate to severe PNH received conservative therapy and surgery was preserved only for progressive cases, obstruction or renal function ≤35%. All patients’ data and radiologic information was recorded in separate data forms, and then analyzed by SPSS (version 22). Results: 200 screened PNH patients with male to female ratio 3.5:1 underwent first postnatal control US, of whom 65% had normal, 18% mild/moderate and 17% severe hydronephrosis. 167 patients had VCUG of whom 20.82% with VUR. 112 patients performed DTPA with following results: 50 patients had obstruction and 62 patients showed no obstructive finding. Finally 54% of 200 patients recovered by conservative therapy, 12.5% by surgery and remaining improved without any surgical intervention. Conclusions: The best cutoff point of anteroposterior renal pelvis diameter that led to surgery was 15 mm, with sensitivity 88% and specificity 74%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ameloblastic fibro-odontoma (AFO) is defined as a benign odontogenic tumor with slow growing behavior. Its prevalence is rare. AFO is characterized by histologic features of ameloblastic fibroma (AF) with the formation of enamel and dentine. Case Presentation: This is a case report of AFO accompanied with a number of impacted deciduous teeth and its management in a 4-year old boy. Examination of oral cavity revealed an extensive swelling from midline to left deciduous maxillary first molar, covered with normal mucosa. Radiographic examination showed a well-defined mixed radiolucent-radiopaque lesion that extended horizontally from midline to mesial border of the left maxillary primary first molar and vertically from alveolar crest to the floor of nose. The differential diagnosis was odontoma (ameloblastic fibro-odontoma, complex odontoma). Surgical enucleation and curettage was performed under general anesthesia. Histopathologic sections show bone trabeculae in marrow spaces. There was myxoid matrix in some spaces which contained odontogenic epithelial cells. These findings led to diagnosis of AFO. No sign of recurrence has been observed during the 12-month followup period. Conclusion: Although AFO is a rare tumor, it is more prevalent in childrenʼs jaw. Conservative surgical treatment allowed the normal development of teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric coronary artery bypass surgery gained wide acceptance with the introduction of internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) for bypass operations for post Kawasaki disease (KD) lesions. The technique is now established as the standard surgical choice, and its safety even in infancy, graft patency, growth potential, graft longevity and clinical efficacy have been well documented. In this article the author reviews the development of pediatric coronary bypass as the main indication for the treatment of coronary lesions due to KD. I believe that coronary revascularization surgery in pediatric population utilizing uni- or bilateral ITAs is the current gold-standard as the most reliable treatment, although percutaneous coronary intervention with or without a stent has been tried with vague long-term results in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nephrolithiasis in children is associated with a high rate of complications and recurrence. Objectives:Since some evidences reported that zinc has an important place amongst inhibitors of crystallization and crystal growth, we decided to assess the effectiveness of oral zinc sulfate as adjuvant treatment in children with nephrolithiasis. Patients and Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. 102 children in the age range 1 month to 11 years with first nephrolithiasis were recruited. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups (intervention and control groups). Intervention group received conservative measures for stones and 1 mg/kg/day (maximum 20 mg/day) oral zinc sulfate syrup for 3 months. Control group received placebo in addition to conservative measures, also for 3 months. Patients were followed up by ultrasonography for 9 months, in 5 steps (at the end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 9th month after treatment) assessing size and number of stones in the kidneys. Results: Only at the end of the first month, the average number (intervention: 1.15 ± 3.78, control: 1.3 ± 2.84) (P = 0.001) and size (cm) (intervention: 0.51 ± 1.76, control: 0.62 ± 1.39) (P = 0.001) of stones was significantly lower in the intervention group, and in other points there was no significant therapeutic efficacy in oral zinc adjuvant treatment compared to conservative treatment alone. Also, during the 9-month follow-up, the number and size of stones in both groups decreased significantly (both: P < 0.0001) in a way that the decrease in the intervention group showed no difference with the control group. Conclusions: Adjuvant treatment with zinc is not more effective than consecutive treatment in children with nephrolithiasis. However, further studies are recommended due to the lack of clinical evidence in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rotavirus diarrhea is one of the most important causes of death among under-five children. Anti-rotavirus vaccination of these children may have a reducing effect on the disease. Objectives: this study is intended to contribute to health policy-makers of the country about the optimal decision and policy development in this area, by performing cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis on anti-rotavirus vaccination for under-5 children. Patients and Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using a decision tree model to analyze rotavirus vaccination, which was compared with no vaccination with Iran’s ministry of health perspective in a 5-year time horizon. Epidemiological data were collected from published and unpublished sources. Four different assumptions were considered to the extent of the disease episode. To analyze costs, the costs of implementing the vaccination program were calculated with 98% coverage and the cost of USD 7 per dose. Medical and social costs of the disease were evaluated by sampling patients with rotavirus diarrhea, and sensitivity analysis was also performed for different episode rates and vaccine price per dose. Results: For the most optimistic assumption for the episode of illness (10.2 per year), the cost per DALY averted is 12,760 and 7,404 for RotaTeq and Rotarix vaccines, respectively, while assuming the episode of illness is 300%, they will be equal to 2,395 and 354, respectively, which will be highly cost-effective. Number of life-years gained is equal to 3,533 years. Conclusions: Assuming that the illness episodes are 100% and 300% for Rotarix and 300% for Rota Teq, the ratio of cost per DALY averted is highly cost-effective, based on the threshold of the world health organization (< 1 GDP per capita = 4526 USD). The implementation of a national rotavirus vaccination program is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The latest national census reports the population of Iranian children (1 - 8 years old) about 11 millions. On the other hand, the latest population policies approved by supreme cultural revolution council (SCRC) will make this population increase faster. Childhood development is one of the social determinants of health, of which “child’s play” is a part. Objectives: This study is an effort to identify difficulties and challenges of the plays influential on Iranian children’s health nationwide, in order to present enhancive strategies by utilizing the views of stakeholders and national studies. Patients and Methods: Analyzing children’s play stakeholders, main organizations were identified and views of 13 informed people involved in the field were investigated through deep semi-structured interview. A denaturalized approach was employed in analyzing the data. In addition to descriptions of the state, interventions development, and designing the conceptual model, national reports and studies, and other countries’ experiences were also reviewed. Results: Society’s little knowledge of “children’s plays”, absence of administrators for children’s play, shortage of public facilities for children’s play and improper geographical and demographic availability, absence of policies for Iranian “toy”, and little attention of media to the issue are the five major problems as stated by interviewees. Conclusions: The proposed interventions are presented as “promoting the educational levels of parents and selected administrators for children’s play”, “approving the play and toy policy for Iran 2025”, and “increasing public facilities for children’s play with defined distribution and availability”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is important that the residual bowel adapts after massive resection. The necessary intestinal adaptation is a progressive recovery from intestinal failure through increase in absorptive surface area and functional capacity and includes both morphological and functional adaptations. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate intestinal morphological and functional adaptations of small bowel syndrome (SBS) model rats (SBS1W) 7 days after bowel resection. Materials and Methods: Male sprague–dawley rats (n = 20/group) underwent either a 75% proximal small bowel resection (SBS1W group) or a control operation (control group). Markers of morphological adaptation were revealed by TEM analysis of H&E-stained tissue samples. The intestinal barrier condition was assessed by BT, and sIgA concentration in intestinal mucus was measured by ELISA. Contractility and the slow wave rhythm of the entire intestinal remnant were measured and recorded. Results: The SBS1W group experienced more weight loss than control group and had a clearly different intestinal morphology as revealed in TEM images. Compared with control rats, the SBS1W group had a lower sIgA concentration in intestinal mucus and higher BT to lymph nodes (70% vs 40%; level I), portal blood (40% vs 10%; level II), and peripheral blood (60% vs 30%; level III). Disorder of spontaneous rhythmic contraction, irregular amplitude, and slow frequency were detected in the SBS1W group by a muscle strips test. Similarly, the slow wave of the entire intestinal remnant in the SBS1W group was irregular and uncoordinated. Conclusions: The finding of intestinal adaptation following massive SBR in SBS1W rats provides more understanding of the mechanisms of progressive recovery from the intestinal failure that underlies SBS. The mechanical, chemical, immunological, and biological barriers were all impaired at 7 days following bowel resection, indicating that the SBS model rats were still in the intestinal adaptation phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thalassemia is an inherited blood disease. It is a serious public health problem throughout the Mediterranean region, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, as well as in Southeast Asia. Objectives: Thalassemia is an inherited blood disease. It is a serious public health problem. In this study we assessed psychological aspects in Iranian children and adolescents with thalassemia major. Patients and Methods: In this case-control study sixty healthy subjects aged 7-18 years and Sixty Patients with confirmed diagnosis of major thalassemia were enrolled. After obtaining informed consent from parents of all participating thalassemia patients and healthycontrols, we assessed psychological aspects and quality of life by Pediatric Quality of LifeTM (PedsQL™), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ), State and Trait Anxiety, Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Results: The results of this study indicate that there are significant changes in depression, anxiety, QOL and behavioral screening between children with thalassemia major compared with healthy subjects by means of both parents and children reports. According to the results, children with thalassemia major have more psychological problems than healthy ones. Patients with thalassemia have a lower QOL than their peers (P = 0.001), the rate of depression is higher in this group (P = 0.015), Also behavioral problems in these children are more than healthy subjects (P = 0.009). Conclusions: We recommend appropriate treatment and counseling procedures in addition to specific treatment of thalassemia. According to the results we suggest to establish pediatric psychiatric clinics beside thalassemic clinics to cure psychological aspects of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing among Iranian youngsters like other developing countries. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess regional disparities in sedentary behaviors and meal frequency in Iranian adolescents. Patients and Methods: In this national survey, 5682 students aged 10 - 18 years from urban and rural districts of 27 provinces of Iran were selected via stratified multi-stage sampling method. The country was classified into four sub-national regions, based on criteria of the combination of geography and socioeconomic status (SES). Mean of meal frequency and physical activity levels as well as prevalence of omitting meals and sedentary behavior were compared across regions with different SES after stratifying with sex and age group. Results: Meal frequency in lower socio-economic regions was significantly higher than two other regions in 10 - 13 and 10 - 18 years old groups (P trend < 0.001). However, the mean of working hours with computer was linearly increased with increasing the SES in studied regions (P trend < 0.001), whereas the corresponding figure was not significant for the mean of watching TV (P trend > 0.05). Frequency of adolescents omitting their meals was higher in higher SES regions especially in West Iran (P < 0.001) in 10 - 13 years old age group. Having personal computer and working with it more than two hours per day mainly was observed in central Iran which ranked as the highest SES group. Conclusions: Efforts to ensure Iranian youth meet healthy food habits and screen time guidelines include limiting access to screen technologies and encouraging parents to monitor their own screen time is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is one of the most common causes of neonatal respiratory failure and mortality. The risk of developing RDS decreases with both increasing gestational age and birth weight. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in newborn infants. Materials and Methods: From March 2012 to May 2013, 100 newborn infants were divided into two groups: RDS group (50 cases) and control group (50 cases). According to the findings of chest x-ray, there were 10 cases of grade II RDS, 15 grade III cases, and 25 grade IV cases in RDS group. Lung ultrasound was performed at bedside by a single expert. The ultrasound indexes observed in this study included pleural line, A-line, B-line, lung consolidation, air bronchograms, bilateral white lung, interstitial syndrome, lung sliding, lung pulse etc. Results: In all of the infants with RDS, lung ultrasound consistently showed generalized consolidation with air bronchograms, bilateral white lung or alveolar-interstitial syndrome, pleural line abnormalities, A-line disappearance, pleural effusion, lung pulse, etc. The simultaneous demonstration of lung consolidation, pleural line abnormalities and bilateral white lung, or lung consolidation, pleural line abnormalities and A-line disappearance co-exists with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Besides, the sensitivity was 80% and specificity 100% of lung pulse for the diagnosis of neonatal RDS. Conclusions: This study indicates that using an ultrasound to diagnose neonatal RDS is accurate and reliable too. A lung ultrasound has many advantages over other techniques. Ultrasound is non-ionizing, low-cost, easy to operate, and can be performed at bedside, making this technique ideal for use in NICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) kinetics is a good prognosis marker in infectious diseases, but few studies of children sepsis have been performed. Objectives: The aim of our study was to examine kinetics of procalcitonin, to evaluate its relationship with severity and to analyze its usefulness in the prediction of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Patients and Methods: Prospective observational study in an 8-bed pediatric intensive care unit of a university hospital. Sixty-two children aged 0-19 years with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or septic states. The degree of severity was evaluated according pediatric logistic organ dysfunction (PELOD) score. Blood tests to determine levels of PCT were taken if the patients had the criteria of systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis. The serum to determine levels of PCT in control group has been taken from patients undergoing elective surgery. Results: Higher values of PCT were identified in patients with PELOD score 12 and more compared to those with PELOD < 12 (P = 0.016). Similarly, higher PCT values were found in patients who developed MODS in contrast to those without MODS (P = 0.011). According to ROC analysis cut-off value of 4.05 ng/mL was found to best discriminate patients with PELOD < 12 and PELOD ≥ 12 with AUC = 0.675 (P = 0.035). Effect of procalcitonin levels on mortality was not demonstrated. Conclusions: Levels of procalcitonin from day 1 to day 5 are related to the severity and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We studied usefulness of serum B-type natriuretic peptide level as a screening tool for detecting hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in the preterm neonates. Methods: Sixty admitted preterm neonates with gestational age ≤34 weeks, birth weight ≤2500 gr, and age of >3 days have been enrolled in this study. We measured serum B-type natriuretic peptide levels at the beginning and after completion of drug therapy for ductus occlusion. Findings: Mean±SD gestational age and weight was 31±1.9 weeks and 1680±350 gr, respectively. The peptide levels in the neonates with significant duct (n=13) were significantly higher than in those with insignificant duct (n=17) or no duct (n=30) (1667±821 pg/ml versus 667±666 and 309±171, respectively). The peptide level dropped significantly after ibuprofen administration in the neonates with significant PDA (n=13), (1667±1165 pg/ml to 429±386). Conclusion: At a cutoff point of 450 pg/ml, B-type natriuretic peptide level had a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 87%, the negative predictive value of 98.5%, the positive likelihood ratio of 6.92 and the negative likelihood ratio of 0.089 for detecting significant patent duct. Levels below this can eliminate the need for echocardiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Trust is proposed as the necessary foundation to achieve better performance in the nursing of children. In this regard, Pediatric nurses need to achieve a deeper understanding of parents' experiences, and find out how these experiences are being related to the nursing practice. So to increase nurses' understanding of this concept based on the experiences of the recipients of nursing, the present study aims to express the factors that affect the formation of trust in mothers of hospitalized children towards the nurses. Methods: In this study, a qualitative design, conventional content analysis, was used. Pediatric Ward of hospitals in Yazd, Iran were the research environment. 14 mothers whose children were hospitalized in pediatric wards were selected through purposive sampling. They were deeply interviewed and data was analyzed with conventional content analysis. Findings: Data analysis led to emerging a major category “nurses' attempt for professional nursing” which includes sub-categories of commitment and empathetic caring, skill in performing duties, mothers' participation in the process of caring, being interested in pediatric nursing and establishing effective communication. Conclusion: Findings from the study showed that mothers know different factors involved in establishing confidence in nurses. Managers and people in charge in the field of nursing - regarding these findings - can design and perform necessary training programs to increase knowledge and skills for pediatric nursing, to win the trust of mothers and children in hospital for an effective step towards providing a better nursing care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the risk of autoimmune liver disease is high. Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic and progressive entity and the risk of its being associated with other autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease is high also. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of celiac disease in patients with autoimmune hepatitis and vice versa. Methods: In a cross-sectional study children with autoimmune hepatitis underwent serological screening and endoscopy for celiac disease. In patients with celiac disease, serum aminotransferases were measured and, if abnormal, autoantibodies related to autoimmune hepatitis were checked and needle liver biopsy was performed. Findings: Of the 96 patients, 64 had autoimmune hepatitis and 32 celiac disease. Among patients with autoimmune hepatitis only three (4.7%) were compatible with celiac disease. In the group of patients with celiac disease, autoimmune hepatitis was confirmed in four (12.5%) cases. We consider important to state that 3.1% of this group had celiac hepatitis. Conclusion: Autoimmune liver disease is sometimes associated with latent celiac disease. Serological screening for celiac disease should be routinely done in patients with abnormal serum aminotransferases, particularly those with chronic liver disease. On the other hand, celiac disease is often accompanied by other autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune hepatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the validity of simple epidemiological and clinical methods for the assessment of body fatness in preschool children. Methods: In 89 children (42 boys, 47 girls; mean age 4.1 SD 1.3y) measures of body fatness were made using total body water (TBW), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), air displacement plethysmography (BODPOD) and skinfold thickness. Methods were compared by Bland-Altman analysis using TBW as the reference method, and by paired comparisons and rank order correlations. Findings: Bias for DXA was +1.8% body fat percentage units (limits of agreement +15.5% to -11.9%), bias for BODPOD was -3.5% (limits of agreement +18.9% to -5.9%) and bias for skinfolds using the Slaughter equations was -6.5% (limits of agreement +10.0% to -23.1%). Significant rank order correlations with TBW measures of fatness were obtained for DXA estimates of fatness (r=0.54, P=0.01), but not for estimates of fat by skinfold thickness (r=0.20, P=0.2) or BODPOD (r=0.25, P=0.1). Differences between both DXA and BODPOD and the reference TBW estimates of body fatness were not significant (P=0.06 and P=0.1 respectively); however, the difference in estimated body fatness between skinfold thickness and TBW was significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: Estimates of body fatness in preschool children were inaccurate at the level of the individual child using all the methods, but DXA might provide unbiased estimates and a means of making relative assessments of body fatness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is usually a relatively benign disease but can have an aggressive clinical course. The primary treatment for laryngeal papillomatosis is endoscopic resection. However, there is no effective treatment for pulmonary spread of laryngeal papillomatosis. Case Presentation: We describe a rare case of a 19-year-old man with pulmonary spread of laryngeal papillomatosis. The treatment regimen was surgical resection under general anesthesia using suspension laryngoscopy and endoscopy. The patient had been diagnosed with laryngeal papillomatosis and had undergone a tracheotomy when he was 18 months old. He underwent 17 endoscopic resections for laryngeal papillomatosis at intervals of 3 months to 1 year. At follow-up, the patient continued to have tracheal intubation and was not extubated. CT scans revealed multiple nodular and cavitary lesions in both lungs. Laryngoscopy performed when the patient was 18 years showed diffuse papillomata in the glottis and left ventricular fold. Conclusions: This article presents a rare case of juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis associated with the human papilloma virus (HPV) HPV-11 and pulmonary spread. Intravenous cidofovir has oncogenic potential, but it has been used successfully to treat five patients with pulmonary spread of RRP. Intravenous cidofovir should be considered as salvage therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine various perinatal factors leading to birth asphyxia among term newborns in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: In a cross sectional study, a total of 196 asphyxiated cases were selected through consecutive nonprobability sampling technique from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary care Military Hospital in Pakistan from 1st December 2012 to 1st December 2013. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate means, standard deviations and frequencies. Stratification with respect to maternal age, gestational age, newborns weight, parity and gravidity was done and post stratification chi-square test was applied to find statistical significance. Findings: Out of 196 cases, 125 (64%) were males and 71 females (36%). Mean maternal age was 27.04+4.97 years and gestational age of babies was 39.86+1.24 weeks. Majority (57.14 %) of 112 mothers were 1-3 para and ≥4 parity was recorded in 84 (42.86%) cases. Majority (64.80%) of the 127 mothers were 1-3 gravida while 69 (35.20%) had ≥4 gravidity, mean of 3.45+0.87. Mode of delivery as a factor leading to birth asphyxia was found in 32.14% (n=63) cesarean section, 44.39% (n=87) spontaneous vertex delivery, and instrumental delivery in 23.47% (n= 46). Prolonged second stage of labor reported in 72% (n=141), 29.08% (n=57) had prolonged rupture of membranes, 7.65% (n=15) had meconium staining, 5.61% (n=11) had multiple births, 21.94% (n=43) had maternal fever, and 58.84% (n=113) had anemia at delivery. Conclusion: Birth asphyxia is a preventable problem and long term neurological sequelae almost untreatable. Timely identification of the perinatal risk factors and their prompt solution can prevent and reduce the neonatal morbidity and mortality from birth asphyxia. Early identification of high-risk cases with improved antenatal and perinatal care can further decrease such high mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a determinant of inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the MPV levels in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis and to evaluate the possible relationship between MPV and severity of gastroenteritis. Methods: Children diagnosed with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis and healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Patients were classified into three disease severity groups based on their Vesikari score (<7 mild, 7-10 moderate and >11 severe). Rotavirus was determined in fresh stool samples using ELISA test. Leukocyte and platelet counts, MPV and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assessed for all children. Findings: A total of 151 patients with rotavirus gastroenteritis (mean age 2.41± 0.14 years) and 80 healthy controls (mean age 2.63±0.22 years, P=0.129) were enrolled. MPV levels of children with rotavirus gastroenteritis were significantly lower than those of healthy peers (7.48±0.04 vs 7.79±0.07 fl, P=0.000). MPV levels were not significantly different among three gastroenteritis groups. Gastroenteritis score was positively correlated with leukocyte (r=0.670, P<0.01) and platelet count (r=0.159, P<0.05) and CRP level (r=0.256, P<0.01) in patients group. MPV was inversely correlated with platelet count. There was no significant correlation between MPV and gastroenteritis score. Conclusion: MPV levels were significantly lower in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis compared to controls. MPV can be used as a negative acute phase reactant in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Bronchiolitis is a common lower respiratory tract infection in the first year of life. In this disease upper respiratory tract infection is associated with nasal congestion, respiratory distress and hypoxia. We studied the effect of phenylephrine drops as a decongestant in treatment of light and moderately severe cases of acute bronchiolitis. Methods: This is a double blind randomized trial involving 100 children aged 4 weeks to 12 months. The patients were divided into two groups, the first group received 0.1 ml phenylephrine 0.5% and the second group 0.1 ml sodium chloride (NaCl) 0.9% as placebo in both nostrils. Respiratory rate, heart rate, O2 saturation, dyspnea, retractions and wheezing were assessed before and 30 minutes after medication. Findings: After medication, O2 saturation and respiratory muscles retractions in the phenylephrine group were significantly better than those of the placebo group (P=0.004 and P=0.002, respectively). In the phenylephrine group, O2 saturation, retractions and wheezing were also significantly better before than those after medication (P=0.003 and P<0.0001 respectively). In the placebo group no significant difference before and after intervention was observed. Conclusion: Phenylephrine as a topical decongestant is an inexpensive, easily available and suitable means in the treatment of mild to moderately severe bronchiolitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is a nonhereditary idiopathic febrile syndrome belonging to the group of autoinflammatory diseases. No longtime sequel was reported in this disease. Early diagnosis can lead physicians to treatment of this disorder with a short course steroid application and provide satisfaction of the patient’s family. Methods: This study is a prospective review of patients diagnosed with PFAPA syndrome who were registered in Iranian Periodic Fever and Autoinflammatory Registry (IPFAIR) through periodic fever clinic in the Children's Medical Center, Pediatric Center of Excellence in Tehran, Iran from January 2013 to March 2014. Findings: One hundred thirty patients were registered in our databases. Twenty-one (16.1%) patients including 15 males and 6 females had PFAPA. Normal growth was seen in all patients. The median age at onset was 18 months. The mean duration of fever was 4 days and the mean duration of intervals between fever episodes 21 days. Along with fever, all patients had characteristic symptoms. All patients were asymptomatic between fever episodes. Steroid was used in all patients and causing immediate reduction by 84.61%. Two patients received both steroid and colchicine because of their clinical feature and positive laboratory tests for PFAPA and familial Mediterranean fever. No patient received biological therapy or a tonsillectomy. Conclusion: The long diagnostic delay of PFAPA gives cause to concern indicating a need for greater awareness of the disease so that the diagnosis may be made timely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in the patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Simultaneous presentation of these two diseases has been recently reported in some studies; however, few researches have been done on children. The sooner CD is diagnosed, the better the prognosis will be, especially in the patients with a chronic disease like DCM. Methods: In this study, 82 cases were screened for CD by measuring the level of anti-body against transglutaminase (anti tTG). These cases included 41 patients with DCM labeled according to clinical evaluation and echocardiography and 41 healthy children who had been referred for routine checkup. All the patients were between 1 and 18 years old. The expired patients and those with previous diagnosis of CD were excluded from the study. Besides, the patients with positive antibody results underwent intestinal biopsy to match the serology findings with histopathology of CD in the intestine. Finally, the data were analyzed by the SPSS statistical software (v. 16) and through t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Findings: According to the findings, 1/41 (2.5%) DCM cases had positive tTG antibody level and negative intestinal biopsy which is classified as potential CD in the children with DCM. In addition, 7/41 (17%) patients had borderline anti body level. A direct correlation was observed between age and anti tTG level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The incidence of Transient Tachypnea of Newborn (TTN) is higher in infants born by cesarean section than with vaginal delivery. Treatment of transient tachypnea of newborn is supportive. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of restricted fluid volume intake on the course of respiratory distress in patients with TTN. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental clinical trial of 83 neonates diagnosed with TTN admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit in south west Iran. In this study the effect of restriction of maintenance fluid volume in the course of respiratory distress in newborns with transient tachypnea was assessed. Findings: In the standard fluid volume intake group 18 (42.8%) cases needed nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and one (2.38%) case mechanical ventilation, and in restricted fluid volume intake group 13 (32.5%) cases needed NCPAP and two (5%) cases mechanical ventilation. 54.82% of cases were supported with oxyhood in the standard fluid volume and 62.5% in the restricted fluid volume intake group. Differences in duration of the needed NCPAP and oxygen hood between the two groups were significant. Fluid restriction had no adverse effect on the urine specific gravity or weight loss of the studied newborns. Conclusion: Limited fluid administered to newborns with transient tachypnea of newborn is safe and resulted in shorter duration of respiratory support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Obesity increases cardiac diseases by increasing tendency to atherosclerosis. Our aim was to define epicardial adipose tissue thickness, and its related factors in obese children. Methods: Total of 94 patients were divided into obesity with metabolic syndrome (MS) (n=30), obesity without MS (n=33), and control (n=31) groups. Auxological values with fasting glucose, fasting insulin, alanine transaminase, serum lipid levels, and high sensitive C-reactive protein levels were evaluated. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness, interventricular septum thickness and left ventricular mass were measured by echocardiography. Findings: Weight, body mass index, waist circumference, insulin, alanine transaminase, and high sensitive C-reactive protein values were markedly higher in obesity group when compared with controls (P<0.001). Epicardial adipose tissue thickness was 0.64±0.23 cm in obesity with MS; 0.60±0.20 cm in obesity without MS, and 0.27±0.12 cm in control group (P<0.001). Interventricular septum thickness and left ventricular mass values were markedly high in obesity without MS group (P<0.001 and P=0.002). Conclusion: Our study has indicated that obesity has unfavorable effects on heart starting in the adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate serum selenium levels and mean platelet volume in children who experience simple febrile convulsion. Methods: The study comprised 42 patients diagnosed with simple febrile convulsions and a control group of 30 healthy children. Blood samples were taken following a febrile convulsion. Selenium levels in the serum of both the patients and control subjects were measured with the hydride formation method on an atomic absorption spectrometry device and mean platelet volume was evaluated. Findings: When the mean values of the febrile convulsion patients were compared with those of the control group, the mean selenium levels and thrombocyte count were found to be statistically significantly low (P=0.002, P=0.01 respectively) and the mean platelet volume values were statistically significantly high (P=0.002). Conclusion: While low serum selenium levels cause the onset of a febrile seizure in patients with simple febrile convulsion, it is thought that the increased mean platelet volume shows infection activity causing febrile convulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hypospadias is a common birth defect of the penis. Besides the abnormal position of the urethral opening, there is usually a ventral preputial defect with preputial redundancy in dorsal shaft. There are many flap procedures for correcting this defect. Here, we present our experience of skin coverage procedure with better cosmetic results. Methods: It is a prospective study on patients with mid-shaft to glandular hypospadias operated from June 2008 to December 2012. The operations were performed by one surgeon in two hospitals and the cosmetic results were evaluated by the surgeon, parents, and another pediatric surgeon by a satisfaction questionnaire. In this procedure, inner prepuce was incised curvilinearly, remaining 5 mm in medial and 8 mm in lateral aspects of the inner prepuce. For skin repair, dorsal flaps were approximated in midline along median raphe. Findings: Sixty-three patients with mean age of 25.75±8.46 (7-93) months were followed up for 7.06±3.34 (2-15( months. There were 4 complications. The overall satisfaction with penile skin coverage was 93.7% for parents and 98.4% for surgeons. Patients' age and primary site of meatus had a significant correlation with cosmetic results (P<0.05), while urethroplasty techniques and post-operative complications were not significant. Conclusion: Reapproximation of dorsal flaps in midline is a simple method and can be used in most cases of uncomplicated primary hypospadias. By this technique a more normal appearance can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective: One of the primary factors in managing patients with retinoblastoma is early diagnosis. The main idea of this study was to recognize the consequences of delay in diagnosis on therapy of the disease. Methods: A retrospective review of all children with proven retinoblastoma, who had presented to MAHAK hospital in Tehran, from April 2007 to Dec 2011, was performed. Grouping of intraocular tumors was applied as A to E according to International Classification of Retinoblastoma. Findings: There were 157 (91 boys) children eligible for study. The mean age was 1.21±0.11 years with average delay in diagnosis of 3.4±0.53 months. Classification of D group in both unilateral (93 patients) and bilateral tumors was the largest category. A significant relation (P=0.05) between delayed diagnosis time and tumor grouping was evident. The most frequent symptoms were leukocoria and strabismus. Age was significantly lower in the subgroup of bilateral tumors than in unilateral retinoblastomas (0.6±0.12 year vs 1.6±0.15 years). The diagnosis was delayed in subgroup of extra ocular retinoblastoma more than in intraocular tumors (8.7±2.9 months vs 2.9±0.52 months). Conclusion: The authors recommend early referring of suspected cases to ophthalmologists and pediatric oncologists and to organize educational programs to publisize signs and symptoms of the disease such as leukocoria, strabismus and ocular inflammatory disorders through national media. In conclusion, early diagnosis of retinoblastoma can be the primary factor in managing the patients as the delay in diagnosis accounts for highly advanced disease and poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) is a common rheumatologic disorder that involves multi organ systems. Prognosis of lupus in children may be poorer than in adults. In this study, we determine d mortality and morbidity rates in the pediatric SLE in Iran. Methods: In a cross sectional study, we evaluated 120 children with SLE who had registered in our pediatric rheumatology database within 2004-2010. Data including sex, age, remission, age at the time of diagnosis, age at the time of study, various types of organ involvement, mortality and remission were extracted from this database. Findings: From 120 cases, 77% (92 cases) were female s and 23% (28 cases) male s (F:M=3.3). Mean follow up period was 56±32 months and mean age at the time of manifesting disease 10.34±2.9 years. Mortality rate was 10% (12 cases) in our investigation. Musculoskeletal involvement showed significant difference between various age groups (P <0.01), that was more frequent in group of 7 years and older. Frequency of oral ulcer and ophthalmic involvement in boys was significantly higher than in girls (P <0.05). Frequency of cardiovascular involvement (P <0.01) and renal involvement (P <0.01) was significantly higher in the patients who had no remission. There was a significant association between mortality rate and cardiac (P <0.02, OR=4.9), pulmonary (P <0.01, OR=10.167) and liver (P <0.05, OR=1.19) involvement. Conclusion: In our investigation 1-year survival rate was 97% and 5-year survival rate 89%. Liver, cardiac and pulmonary involvements have an association with higher mortality in JSLE patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of spasticity and physical disability in children and spasticity is one of the commonest problems in those with neurological disease. The management of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy requires a multidisciplinary effort and should be started as early as possible. There are a number of treatments available for the management of spasticity. This article reviews the variety of options available for the clinical management of spasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the effects of hyaluronidase and hirudoid treatment on drug extravasation in neonates. Methods: The medical records of 13 neonates with drug extravasation treated with hyaluronidase and hirudoid between August 1st, 2010 and May 1st, 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The treatment procedure for drug extravasation adhered to the protocol in neonatal department. The information including age, sex, weight, diagnosis, size of affected area, site of extravasation and treatment was collected. Findings : The extravasation injuries alleviated and the symptoms improved after treatment, no adverse drug effects were reported with use of hyaluronidase and hirudoid. Conclusion: The treatment appeared to be beneficial in the management of extravasations of various medications in neonates and may be useful in reducing the severity of cutaneous toxicosis. However, further studies with large samples are still needed to assess the effectiveness and safety of hyaluronidase and hirudoid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sydenham's chorea (SC) is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. MRI is generally used to exclude other causes of chorea. There are no typically defined MRI features of SC. In this study we aimed to determine clinical and neuroimaging findings of SC. Methods: In this study 17 patients with acute SC were retrospectively evaluated. Sydenham's chorea was diagnosed according to the 1992 revision of the Jones criteria. The other causes of chorea were excluded. Cranial MRI was performed in all patients during the acute phase of SC. Walking, speech and swallowing disorders, muscle weakness, behavioral disorders, treatment, symptom recovery time and recurrence were evaluated. Findings: The patients' mean age was 11.2 years. Behavioral changes, muscle weakness and dysphagia occurred in 70%, 64% and 23% of the patients, respectively. Nonspecific signal hyperintensities were observed in the white matter, brain stem and caudate nucleus in 47% of patients. Two patients who had chorea paralytica were treated successfully with a high dose of intravenous methylprednisolone. Conclusion: Nonspecific hyperintense white matter abnormalities may be due to the inflammatory process associated with a longer duration of clinical signs. To explain the MRI findings and the pathogenesis of SC, comprehensive studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Vasoconstriction during anxiety reduces fetal oxygenation and leads to hypoxia. Hypoxia in turn results in increase of the number of nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) in the cord blood. The present study aimed to assess the effect of decreasing maternal anxiety on fetal oxygenation and NRBCs count in the cord blood. Methods:. In this study, 150 women were randomly divided into two intervention groups [supportive care and acupressure in BL32 (bladder) acupoint] and a control group (hospital routine care). The infants' cord blood was investigated regarding the number of NRBCs and the intensity of hypoxia after birth. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (v. 16) and analyzed using ANOVA, Chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. Findings: The significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the number of NRBCs counted in the peripheral blood smear (P<0.001). Besides, a significant relationship was observed between the length of the first and second stages of labor and the number of NRBCs in the cord blood (P=0.01). Also, a significant association was observed between the type of delivery and the number of NRBCs in the cord blood in both intervention (P<0.001) and control groups (P=0.03). Conclusion: Doula supportive care and acupressure at BL32 point reduced the length of labor stages as well as the anxiety level. Also, nucleated red blood cells were less in the 2 groups of intervention than in control group. Regarding the fact that nucleated red blood cells cannot be the only factor for hypoxia predicting, for affirmation of this theory study with higher sample size and survey of mothers at high risk are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of protein energy malnutrition on protein glycosylation by investigating transferrin isoform pattern and its relationship to the degree of malnutrition and the biochemical markers of nutritional status in children. Methods: Forty one children with mild (n=23) and severely/moderately (n=18) acute malnutrition and 29 controls were enrolled in the study. Serum transferrin isoforms were determined by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis. Transferrin, prealbumin, zinc, iron and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured using automated analyzers. Findings: Asialotransferrin and disialotransferrin were significantly higher in severely/moderately malnourished patients compared to controls (P=0.04 and P=0.04, respectively). Other transferrin isoform patterns were not different among three groups. Serum IGF-1, transferrin and iron levels of severely/ moderately malnourished group were significantly lower than tose of controls (P=0.001, 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). Serum prealbumin and zinc levels were similar in all three groups. Serum IGF-1, transferrin and iron levels, and all transferrin isoform patterns were not significantly different in mildly malnutrition group from other two groups. Conclusion: The changes in transferrin isoform pattern observed in malnourished patients may indicate that malnutrition is a catabolic state which has effects on glycosylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Newborns who suffer from jaundice and/or receive phototherapy (PT) are at a higher risk of developing asthma. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between bilirubin and peripheral eosinophil counts in newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia needing PT. Methods: In this study, a retrospective analysis was performed on 306 newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia with gestational age ≥35 weeks (Group 1) and the control group consisted of 295 age and gender-matched newborns (Group 2). Total serum bilirubin, hemoglobin, albumin, leucocyte and eosinophil counts before and after PT were recorded from medical charts. Findings: All the patients in Group 1 received phototherapy and 77 (25.2%) of them needed exchange transfusion (ET). Before receiving PT, the patients in Group 1 had lower levels of Hb and higher levels of total serum bilirubin and lymphocytes than those in Group 2 although there was no statistically significant difference with regard to peripheral eosinophil counts. Eosinophils were detected to be numerically lower in Group 1. Higher bilirubin subgroups had also lower eosinophil counts. The patients in Group 1 had lower levels of Hb, leucocyte, albumin and higher levels of eosinophil following PT. Conclusion: Peripheral eosinophil count may be affected by bilirubin levels and/or phototherapy. There is a need for further clinical research based on different models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomy is usually considered as a main principle in making decisions about individuals' health. Children and particularly adolescents have the capacity to take part in medical decision-making to some extent. For the most part the parent-doctor-child/adolescent triangle sides are essentially in agreement, but this may not be true in some cases, causing physicians to face problems attempting to determine their professional duties. According to Islamic jurisprudent upon reaching the age of Taklif (15 full lunar years for boys and 9 full lunar years for girls) no one can be treated as incompetent based on mental immaturity unless his or her insanity or mental immaturity is provend Moreover the Islamic Sharia, decrees that parents should lose their authority to make medical decisions for their children, if their bad faith or imprudence is proven, in which case a fit and proper person or an institution will be appointed to make decisions in this respect based on the child's best interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Cox model is the dominant tool in clinical trials to compare treatment options. This model does not specify any specific form to the hazard function. On the other hand, parametric models allow the researcher to consider an appropriate shape of hazard function for the event of interest. The aim of this article is to compare performance of Cox and parametric models. Methods: We used data collected in a prospective clinical trial that aimed to compare performance of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) treatments in terms of survival of newborn infants who had respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Performance of Cox, exponential, Weibull, and log-logistic models were compared in terms of goodness of fit. Findings: Fitting the Cox model, we have seen that infants who received NCPAP were 4.23 (Hazard Ratio= 4.23, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.87-9.59) times more likely to fail than those received NIPPV (P=0.001). Adequacy of the exponential model was rejected. We have seen a decreasing hazard rate over time, in both treatment groups. This decrease was sharper in NCPAP group. Akiake information criterion corresponded to the log-logistic model and was lower than all other models followed by Weibull model. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the benefit of parametric survival models over traditional Cox regression model in terms of modeling of shape of hazard function. We saw a decreasing hazard that confirms the flexibility of parametric models in terms of the modeling of hazard rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Providing a safe and efficient dental treatment for a young patient is a challenge for the dentist and the child. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of buccal midazolam in dental pediatric patients and to compare it with oral Midazolam. Methods: Eighteen uncooperative healthy children aged 2.5-6 years were randomized to each of buccal midazolam (0.3mg/kg) or oral midazolam (0.5mg/kg) at the first visit, the alternative has been used at the second visit in a cross-over manner. The study took place at pediatric dentistry clinic of Shahed University, Tehran, from November 2011 to June 2012. The patients` vital signs and behavioral scores were recorded. The patient, the operator and the observer were blinded to the applied medication. Post operatively, patients` and parents` satisfaction were assessed by Visual Analogue Score and a questionnaire respectively. The P-value was set at 0.05 for significance level. Findings: There were no significant differences in physiologic factors in the medication groups at time 0, 10, 20, 30 minutes and discharge. There was also no significant difference between the two groups in behavioral parameters. The majority of parents rated both sedative agents as "effective" or "very effective" and their children mostly were without anxiety or with minor anxiety. Conclusion: Buccal midazolam may be safely and efficiently used in sedation of pediatric dental patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether some clinical parameters can be used to predict the hemorrhage and whether the relationship between these clinical variables and the grades of hemorrhage is linear. Methods: A total of 230 premature infants, born at a gestational age less than 34 weeks were retrospectively reviewed. Germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage (GM-IVH), the grade of the hemorrhage, and clinical data were assessed with a checklist. Variables were analyzed by using Mann Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests and then multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent risk factors. Findings: Resuscitation, gestational age, hypotension, multiple birth, and birth weight were found to be independent risk factors. We determined non-linear relationship between the grades of hemorrhage and the clinical parameters. But when we classified hemorrhages as grade 1, grade 2-3 and grade 4, the relationships were found linear. Conclusion: Premature infants who had resuscitation, low gestational age, hypotension, multiple birth, and low birth weight are more likely to have GM-IVH. The relationship between the clinical variables and the grades of GM-IVH does not seem to be linear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Postoperative apnea is a major concern in infants undergoing surgery. In this study, we evaluated incidence and related factors for postoperative apnea in infants less than 60 weeks postconceptual age after herniorrhaphy. Methods: One-hundred fifty infants with post conceptional age (PCA) less than 60 weeks who underwent elective herniorrhaphy were studied over eight months in 2012. General anesthesia was induced by sevoflurane and maintained by remifentanil, atracurium, and N2O 60%. Postoperatively, they were monitored for two hours in the recovery room and ten hours in the ward using pulse oximetry and nasal capnography. Findings: Totally, 31 (20.7%) cases of postoperative apnea were reported. By comparing the patients, factors associated with postoperative apnea included postconceptional age, birth weight, and history of apnea, oxygen therapy, metabolic diseases, icterus, or cardiac disease. Twenty-seven (18%) apnea cases occurred in recovery room in infants with gestational age (GA) of 35.64±2.73 weeks, while only four (2.6%) patients of GA 36.02±2.0 weeks developed delayed apnea). Conclusion: In our study, the incidence of postoperative apnea following inguinal herniorrhaphy under general anesthesia in infants younger than 60 weeks PCA was 20.7%, which is considerable. We recommend longer surveillance and monitoring in recovery room for these infants with high-risk of postoperative apnea. This should be followed by evaluation of risk factors to determine the indication for elective intensive care unit transfer for longer-term monitoring of higher-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Pathogenesis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is not clearly defined. The present study was conducted to investigate the alterations in erythrocyte deformability and oxidative stress in HSP and to examine the possible relationship between erythrocyte deformability and organ involvement in this disease. Methods: Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, total antioxidant status (TAS), erythrocyte deformability and aggregation were measured in 21 children with HSP at the disease onset and during the remission period in comparison with healthy subjects. Findings: HSP patients at the active stage had significantly higher MDA and lower TAS levels (P<0.05). Erythrocyte deformability was decreased at the active-stage and increased again at the remission period of HSP (P<0.05). Erythrocyte deformability was significantly decreased at four different shear stresses in patients with gastrointestinal system or renal involvement; and decreased at six different shear stresses in patients with gastrointestinal system, and renal involvement compared to the patients without organ involvement (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in aggregation parameters (P>0.05). Conclusion: The present findings emphasize the association between impaired erythrocyte deformability and organ involvement in HSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Appropriate treatment of patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is necessary to avoid further complications. This study was performed to compare the efficacy of insulin Glargine and Aspart with NPH insulin and regular insulin regimen in a group of children with T1DM. Methods: Forty patients with T1DM were enrolled in this study. During run-in, all subjects were treated with conventional therapy consisting of twice-daily NPH and thrice-daily regular. Following randomization, 20 subjects received Glargine and Aspart and 20 subjects received NPH and Regular insulin. Findings: Mean HbA1c was 8.8% and 8.6% at first and 8.4% and 8.2% at the end of study for subjects randomized initially to Glargine and Aspart and for those randomized to NPH and Regular, respectively (P>0.05). Mean fasting blood glucose (FBS) of the subjects randomized initially to Glargine and Aspart was 217±101 mg/dL, with no significant difference to 196±75 mg/dL for those randomized to NPH and Regular (P=0.48). This was also true at the end of the study. The difference in total cholesterol and triglyceride between the two groups in the beginning of study and at the end did not show any significance. Conclusion: The current study showed no significant difference in glycemic control [Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and FBS] and lipid profile (total cholesterol and triglyceride) between two regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in newborn infants. Methods: From March 2012 to May 2013, 100 newborn infants were divided into two groups: RDS group (50 cases) and control group (50 cases). According to the findings of chest x-ray, there were 10 cases of grade II RDS, 15 grade III cases, and 25 grade IV cases in RDS group. Lung ultrasound was performed at bedside by a single expert. The ultrasound indexes observed in this study included pleural line, A-line, B-line, lung consolidation, air bronchograms, bilateral white lung, interstitial syndrome, lung sliding, lung pulse etc. Findings: In all of the infants with RDS, lung ultrasound consistently showed generalized consolidation with air bronchograms, bilateral white lung or interstitial syndrome, pleural line abnormalities, A-line disappearance, pleural effusion, lung pulse, etc. The simultaneous demonstration of lung consolidation, pleural line abnormalities and bilateral white lung, or lung consolidation, pleural line abnormalities and A-line disappearance co-exists with a sensitivity and specificity of 100% for the diagnosis of neonatal RDS. Conclusion: This study indicates that using an ultrasound to diagnose neonatal RDS is accurate and reliable tool. A lung ultrasound has many advantages over other techniques. Ultrasound is non-ionizing, low-cost, easy to operate, and can be performed at bedside, making this technique ideal for use in NICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objectives of this study were: a) to examine the influence of an 18-week basic artistic gymnastics program on fundamental movement skills (FMS) development in seven-year-old children; b) to determine correlations between children's daily activities and successful performance of FMS and basic artistic gymnastics skills. Methods: Seventy five first grade primary school children took part in this study. A physical education teacher specialized in artistic gymnastics conducted a gymnastics program for 18 weeks, three times a week. The level of gymnastics skills and FMS were identified at the beginning and at the end of the program. The level of gymnastics skills was evaluated by performance of eight artistic gymnastics skills, while FMS were evaluated by the use of FMS-polygon. Physical activity and inactivity was evaluated by using a proxy-questionnaire "Netherlands Physical Activity Questionnaire? (NPAQ). Findings: According to the dependent samples t test, significant differences were found in the FMS-polygon and all gymnastics skills before and after the 18-week gymnastics program. Increasing correlations were established over time between gymnastics skills and the FMS-polygon. Unorganized daily activity of children significantly correlated with their mastering of gymnastics skills and FMS. The presented findings confirm: (1) the thesis that basic artistic gymnastics skills and FMS could be developed simultaneously, (2) the theory of positive transfer of similar skills between FMS and artistic gymnastic skills. Conclusion: Mastering basic artistic gymnastics skills will provoke improvement of FMS and finally become a prerequisite for successful introduction of learning more complex gymnastics skills. The obtained results imply that an increase of children's unorganized daily activities can improve the mastering of basic gymnastics skills and simultaneously the development of FMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine epidemiologic and metabolic characteristics of renal stone in the northern Iran. Methods: We prospectively analyzed demographic, clinical and metabolic findings in children less than 16 years old with renal stone revealed by ultrasonography from September 2003 to May 2012. Evaluations included serum and urine measurement of main elements predisposing patients to stone formation. Findings: 271 children (160 males) aged 2 months to 16-years (mean 30 months) were evaluated. 91 (33.6%) had a positive family history, abdominal discomfort (18.8%), UTI (11.8%) and hematuria (11.4%) were main presenting features. 45 children were diagnosed accidentally without any specific compliant. Nearly all (99%) stones lay in kidney., 35.1% had metabolic, 10% infective and 4.1% obstructive trends, 110 children had no definable etiology. Hypercalciuria (25.5%) hyperoxaluria (18.4%) and hypocitraturia (18.1%) were more frequent than uricosuria (8.5%) and cystinuria (3.1%) Conclusion: Metabolic derangement plays significant role in stone formation in our area. Patients should be carefully evaluated considering this point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Thalassemia along with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can lead to major oxidative stress. Vitamins A and E are antioxidants which protect membrane from lipid peroxidation. We sought to determine for the first time, whether vitamins A and E supplementation is efficacious in maintaining or increasing plasma level of these vitamins in thalassemic children undergoing HSCT. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 50 children with β-thalassemia major hospitalized for HSCT. Patients took a daily multivitamin. Plasma vitamins A and E levels were measured at four different times: on admission, HSCT day (day 0), day 7 and day 14 after HSCT. Findings: Plasma vitamin A and E were abnormal on admission in most patients (62.0% and 60.0% respectively). Ratio of patient with normal to abnormal plasma level of the vitamins improved from baseline to a peak on day 7 then deteriorated afterward until day 14. There was an increasingly positive correlation between daily oral intake and plasma vitamin A at different times, but plasma vitamin E showed inverse correlation at first which tended towards no correlation subsequently. In multivariate analysis, supplementation significantly changed plasma level of vitamin A at different measurement time (P=0.001) within study subjects. But, plasma level of vitamin E showed no significant difference (P=0.2). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that oral supplementation could have beneficial effects due to increasing plasma vitamin A level and preventing plasma vitamin E depletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is an extremely common occurrence in very premature infants. Untreated symptomatic PDA may be associated with chronic lung disease. PDA has a major role in neonatal mortality and morbidity. We compared the efficacy and safety of oral versus intravenous ibuprofen for the pharmacological closure of PDA in low birth weight (LBW) preterm infants. Methods: A randomized, single-blinded, controlled study was performed on premature neonates at the neonatal unit, University Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology “Koço Gliozheni”, Tirana, Albania from January 2010 to December 2012. The study enrolled 68 preterm infants with a confirmed and significant PDA. The preterm infants received either intravenous or oral ibuprofen randomly as an initial dose of 10 mg/kg, followed by 5 mg/kg at 24 and 48 h. Findings: 36 patients were treated with oral ibuprofen and 32 with intravenous ibuprofen during this period. After the first course of the treatment, the PDA closed in 30 (83.3%) of the patients assigned to the oral ibuprofen group versus 23 (71.8%) of those enrolled in the intravenous ibuprofen group (P=0.355). 15 patiens needed a second treatment course and they all (100%) had clinical signs of infection and positive blood culture. There was no reopening of the ductus after the closure. Conclusion: Our data indicate that, for LBW infants, the rate of early ductal closure was comparable and the adverse effects were fewer with oral ibuprofen in comparison to the intravenous route. Association of PDA with perinatal infection has a negative impact in pharmacological closure of the ductus, increasing the need for a second course of treatment or for surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]