Knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine is received from relatives and neighbours more than physicians -- Iranian Journal of Pediatrics Vol.24 No.1

Today we are featuring Iranian Journal of Pediatrics vol.24 no.1. 

This issue includes "Risk Factors for Recurrent Respiratory Infections in Preschool Children in China" by Li et al., a study conducted to examine the factors related to recurrent respiratory infection in preschool children in Yiwu, China. 844 preschool children in Yiwu were examined between June 2009 and September 2010. 639 preschool children were part of the resident population while 205 were part of the floating population. The results indicated that asthma, food preference and rickets were among the factors affecting recurrent respiratory infections in preschool children who were part of the resident population. Infant feeding and snack were among the factors affecting recurrent respiratory infections in preschool children who were part of the floating population. The study concluded that the public should take health measures against these factors to prevent recurrent respiratory infection.

This issue also includes "Prevalence of Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Children and Its Related Factors in East Iran" by Fesharakinia et al. This study examines the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on children in east Iran and the factors for its use, its prevalence and where CAM providers obtain their information and knowledge regarding the practice. The study was conducted from April 2012 to June 2012, in which 300 mothers who had children admitted to the Vali-Asr Hospital in Birjand were interviewed. The results indicated that almost 36% of mothers used CAM as medication for their children in the previous year. Among the treatments used were medicinal herbs, oil rubs and prayer therapy. For information on CAM, 72% of mothers talked to relatives, 50% talked to neighbours and only 2% talked to physicians. The study concluded that physicians should learn more about CAM to provide knowledge about it, and the community as a whole should receive education about the different types and the possible side effects of CAM.

You can find these articles and other articles from this issue here.

Probiotic capsules could improve pulmonary function and quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis - Iranian Journal of Pediatrics Vol.23 No.6

This is our second consecutive post on the Iranian Journal of Pediatrics. We will continue our posts on the journal in the next few weeks. Vol.23 no.6 was updated in July. 

This issue includes "Clinical Profile of Snake Bite in Children in Rural India" by Kshirsagar et al. As a result of a high rate of snake bite cases being reported, Kshirsagar et al. conducted a study on the frequency of snake bites and how they are treated in Maharashtra, India. 162 patients that had a snake bite less than 15 years ago were used for this study, in which their case records were examined for age, sex, complications and outcomes among other factors. The results indicated that 98 of the patients with snake bites were male. The results also indicated that in more than 90% of cases, the snake bites were vasculotoxic, and that in more than 9% of cases, the snake bites were neuroparalytic. More than 51% of cases occurred from July to September.

This issue also includes "Effects of Probiotics on Quality of Life in Children with Cystic Fibrosis; A Randomized Controlled Trial" by Jafari et al. This study aimed to examine the effects of probiotics in young children with cystic fibrosis, since probiotics have indicated to improve ntestinal and pulmonary functions. 37 children ages 2-12 with cystic fibrosis were put into two groups. One group was given probiotic capsules for one month and the other was given placebo capsules. The results indicated that pulmonary exacerbation was significantly reduced in the group that took probiotic capsules. The study concluded that probiotic capsules could improve pulmonary function and improve the quality of life in patients, particularly children, with cystic fibrosis.

For the complete results of these studies and other articles from this issue, click here.

The leading cause of death for infants with extremely low birth weight is respiratory failure in this study -- Iranian Journal of Pediatrics Vol.23 No.5

Today we are featuring Iranian Journal of Pediatrics vol.23 no.5. This is the first in a series of posts featuring the journal that will be on the blog in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned! 

This issue includes "Outcome of Very Low Birth Weight Infants Over 3 Years Report From an Iranian Center" by Afjeh et al. This study looks at the frequency of disease, survival rate and risk factors causing poor health and mortality in infants with very low birth weight (VLBW). The study was conducted from April 2007 to March 2010 on all neonates at the Mahdieh Hospital in Tehran. 564 of the infants had VLBW. Data and information from when the infant was born and details during the duration of their stay was collected and analyzed. The results indicated that overall survival rate of the infants was 70.9%, but only 33.3% in infants with extremely low birth weight (ELBW). A leading cause of mortality in infants with ELBW was respiratory failure from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The results also indicated that mechanical ventilation was also a factor for mortality.

Another article included in this issue is "Effect of Oral Ondansetron on Decreasing the Vomiting Associated with Acute Gastroenteritis in Iranian Children" by Golshekan et al. This article examines the effects of oral ondansetron in children to reduce vomiting from acute gastroenteritis. The study was conducted on 176 children from ages 1 to 10 years old. The oral ondansetron and a placebo were compared. 30 minutes after administration, oral rehydration therapy (ORT) was performed. Patients in both groups still had persistent vomiting. The results indicated that oral ondansetron greatly decreased ORT failure, however, further studies need to be conducted in order to determine its effectiveness.

These articles and other articles from this issue can be found here.