International Journal of Pediatrics
Volume:4 Issue: 25, Jan 2016

The chronic genetic blood disorder, thalassemia, affects Quality of life (QOL) negatively. Regarding this, if adolescences with thalassemia are treated well, they will grow into an adult who will have a good potential for participating in society. to determine the strongest predictor of QOL, compare QOL between the adolescents with beta-type major and their peers in Abadan city. This was a cross-sectional study; the population consisted of 65 beta thalassemia major patients and 65 healthy peers with the same ages as the witness group. The data collection tools included SF-36 questionnaire and a questionnaire for demographic information. Data analysis was performed using independent t-test, correlation and linear regression by SPSS-16. The results of the study revealed that there is a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the average quality of life between the two groups of the study. On the other hand, the results showed that there was a meaningful relation between different aspects of life quality and family history of thalassemia (P< 0.05). Also, there was a negative correlation between quality of life and the frequency of blood transfusion per year (P< 0.05). Adolescences with beta thalassemia major do not have a desirable quality of life, therefore, this fact shows the necessity of serious reforming in various fields of health care, treatment, family, social and financial support, and rehabilitation that need more attention from health care policymakers.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), often called eczema or atopic eczema is a very common skin disease; AD looks different in infants, children, and adults. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the disease in Kurdistan province. Cross-sectional study using written questionnaires ISAAC where 4,000 students in two age groups 7-6 and 14 -13 years in the province were using multi-stage sampling was carried out so that the first two floors rural and urban communities in every city and in every school pupil samples were selected based on 8-digit code. The prevalence of itchy rashes in the past 6 months, itchy rashes in the past 12 months and rashes at flexural areas were 7.5%, 8.9%, and 10.3%, respectively; the prevalence was higher in 13-14 years old than 6-7 years old and was higher in boys than in girls(Odds Ratio (OR)=1.44, Confidence interval (CI)= 1.49-2, P <0.001). The prevalence of itchy rashes in the past 12 month was 8.9% and it was more prevalent in boys than the girls were and in age group 13-14 years old was higher than in 6-7 years old.

If skeletal system does not have a correct form in childhood, certainly person will face many problems in the later stages of life. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of skeletal disorders in primary school students in Abadan, 2015. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 383 primary school students in Abadan, Iran, which were selected by cluster sampling method. Data was collected by checkerboard and a demographic questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22 with descriptive methods and Chi-square test. The most common skeletal disorder in female and male students was drooping shoulders (81.7%) and scoliosis (85.4%). The overall prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was significantly related to gender and age (P<0.05). Due to high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in schoolchildren, screening programs in schools has been recommended for prevention. To reduce the rate of musculoskeletal disorders in students of primary school, identification and follow up of students at early stages of disorders seems a necessary solution.

Among all malignances, leukemia has the greatest effects on patients 'psychological aspects. Anxiety is common problem in leukemia patients (especially in children). Since no study has addressed the effect of Slow-stroke back massage (SSBM) on anxiety in the pediatrics with chronic leukemia, this investigation aimed to controlling anxiety through a non-drug method (such as SSBM) in children with chronic leukemia. In this Randomized double-blind trial, 35 children with chronic leukemia were placed in the intervention or control groups. The intervention group received 5-minute SSBM sessions, 3-time a week (every other day) for 4 weeks. The data were collected using the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS). Before the investigation, anxiety levels were measured in both groups, at the 2th, 4th weeks and also two weeks after the end of intervention (6th weeks). Chi-square, repeated measure, and t-test were used for analysis with using SPSS-16. Most of children were suffered from chronic myeloid leukemia (62.8%). The repeated measure ANOVA showed that, the SSBM significantly reduced progressive mean of anxiety over time (P<0.05). While in the control group, mean of anxiety did not change over time. Also, the mean of anxiety increased in the massage group two weeks after end of the intervention, however, it was still lower than the baseline (P<0.05). The findings of this study are suggesting that SSBM, as a non-drug, easy and safe method, is effective for controlling anxiety in chidren with chronic leukemia. Therefore, caregivers should pay attention to this method.

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) accounts for 10%-20% of all cases of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. These patients are at risk of developing end-stage renal disease. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic characteristics, renal biopsy findings, response to immunosuppressive treatment, and prognosis in pediatric patients with SRNS. This retrospective study included 31 patients diagnosed as primary SRNS. Age at first episode, gender, parental consanguinity, and familial history of nephrotic syndrome were recorded. Demographic characteristics, renal biopsy findings, response to immunosuppressive treatment, and prognosis were analyzed, as were the number of and treatment of relapses, extra-renal manifestations, and complications of disease and treatment. Mean age at first episode of nephrotic syndrome was 4,1±2,9 years. At the end of the first immunosuppressive treatment cycle, 14 (51.8%) patients achieved complete remission, 4 (14.8%) patients achieved partial remission, and 9 patients (33.3%) did not achieve remission. Analysis of the final status of the patients showed that 16 patients (51.6%) developed remission, 5 patients (16%) continued to have nephrotic range proteinuria and 10 patients (32%) developed chronic renal failure (CRF). The treatment of SRNS remains controversial. Early genetic testing can help the inevitable immunosuppressive treatments which may not be effective and have several side effects. Calcineurin inhibitors and mycophenolate mofetil are known to be effective immunosuppressive drugs for treating steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the second-most common cause of death from infectious disease (after those due to HIV/AIDS). Roughly one-third of the world's population has been infected with M. tuberculosis, with new infections occurring in about 1% of the population each year. People with active TB can infect 10-15 other people through close contact over the course of a year. The current study is a review survey which was conducted to evaluate of current status of TB prevalence by studying WHO website, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations (UN) websites. In 2014, 9.6 million people fell ill with TB and 1.5 million (1.1 million HIV-negative and 0.4 million HIV-positive) died from the disease. Over 95% of TB deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, and it is among the top 5 causes of death for women aged 15 to 44. One million children (0-14 years) fell ill with TB, and 140 000 children died from the disease in 2014; also, about 80% of reported TB cases occurred in 22 countries. The 6 countries that stand out as having the largest number of incident cases in 2014 were: India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, People’s Republic of China and South Africa. The TB death rate dropped 47% between 1990 and 2015. Despite the fact that nearly all patients can be cured, TB remains one of the world’s biggest threats. Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals.

The East Mediterranean region suffers from high levels of air pollution which has a negative impact on pregnancy outcomes. This work systematically reviews the epidemiological evidence on maternal exposure to air pollution and adverse pregnancy outcomes in the region. Relevant papers and reports published between 2000 and 2014 were searched. Combinations of search terms including countries, exposures, and pregnancy outcomes were used to search for the relevant literature. Twelve articles from 6 countries met the inclusion criteria. There was a pattern of an association between outdoor air pollution and preterm birth and spontaneous abortion; indoor wood fuel smoke and birth weight; and second-hand smoke and birth weight, preterm birth, and spontaneous abortion.The quality of evidence on the impact of air pollution on pregnancy outcomes in the EMR is inadequate to form a base for future adaptation strategies and action plans. Therefore, more quality research is needed to portrait the actual situation in the region

Vitamin D is important for the development, growth, and mineralization of the skeletal in neonates and children. Vitamin D is essential for intestinal absorption of calcium. Vitamin D is metabolized to 25-hydroxyvitamin D and then to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Pregnant women in developed countries often have insufficient serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and a supplementation of vitamin D is necessary, usually a daily dose of 400 IU of vitamin D is sufficient to increase the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to normal value of >75nmol/l. Supplementation of vitamin D increases birth weight and birth length compared to newborn infants born to unsupplemented pregnant women. Oral vitamin D3 (35,000 IU per week) increases total serum calcium in cord blood. This dose, during the third trimester of pregnancy, enhances early postnatal linear growth. Mean change in length from birth to 1 month was significantly greater in vitamin D supplemented pregnant women versus placebo (p=0.0004). At 1 year, mean in length was 1.1 cm longer in infants born to mothers supplemented with vitamin D compared to infants born to mothers unsupplemented with vitamin D. The head circumference is lower in vitamin D deficiency newborns. Vitamin D deficiency during childhood is associated with an increased risk of skeletal disorders and vascular abnormalities. Respiratory distress syndrome is more common in severely vitamin D deficient preterms and supplementation with vitamin D to the mothers reduces respiratory distress syndrome in neonates. The aim of this study is to review the effects of vitamin D in neonates.

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years or more is a desirable approach for infant’s nutrition. A mother's breastfeeding empowerment is considered an important factor in promoting breastfeeding and identifying its facilitating factors can contribute to the development of effective policies and intervention. This study with a qualitative approach carried out aiming to exploring the facilitators for women’s empowerment in breastfeeding. This study conducted by content analysis method. Thirty-four semi-structured individual interviews with 20 mothers having breastfeeding experience, 4 key family members, and 10 personnel involved in breastfeeding services were carried out. Data analysis was simultaneously performed with data collection. Three main categories of "Health system factors", "Family and personal factors" and "Social and cultural factors" were extracted from the participant's explanations, indicating the dimensions of facilitators for empowering women in breastfeeding. Participants regarded the acquisition of breastfeeding skills in hospitals and breastfeeding counseling in health centers as important factors in facilitating their empowerment to early initiation of breastfeeding and its continuity. Further analysis showed "a mother's decision to breastfeed" along with her understanding of "positive attitude and her husband and family's participation in breastfeeding" boosts the breastfeeding ability and the support of the community through "positive cultural belief in breastfeeding" and" public education and information" provides an appropriate ground for the continuity of breastfeeding. In order to improve breastfeeding, a comprehensive planning with regard to women's empowerment in breastfeeding should be considered.

Children are a precious gift from God, and the blessing of a child is a special time in a person's life. All cultures and religious traditions have certain ways of welcoming a newborn child into the community; also, each culture and religion has its own customs and traditions for the birth of a child. During and after the birth of a Muslim child, there are certain rituals the mother and father must perform. Some of these traditions are culturally inspired, and others are performed according to passages in the Nobel Quran that detail the appropriate actions after childbirth. We explain some of these customs which include: Birth customs (the Adhan, Male circumcision, Aqiqah, Shaving the hair, Congratulate and Walīmah); Muslim baby names and Breastfeeding. There are a number of birth customs common to Muslims, an appreciation of which provides unique insights into the lives of Muslims.