Birth Rank Research Articles

Impact of oral hygiene and socio-demographic factors on dental caries in a suburban population in Nigeria.

This was to determine dental caries determinants in the study participants. This was a secondary data study extracted from primary data through a school-based study that recruited students from primary and secondary schools in a suburban population in Nigeria. The variables included age, gender, socio-economic status, oral hygiene status, type of parenting, birth rank, family size and presence of dental caries. The diagnosis of dental caries was based on the World Health Oral Health Survey recommendations while oral hygiene was determined using simplified-oral hygiene index (OHI-S). Data was analysed using STATA version 13, statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. The prevalence of dental caries for the study population was 12.2%, DMFT and dmft were 0.16 and 0.06 respectively. Children within age groups 11-13 and 14-16years had reduced chances of having dental caries (P = 0.01; P = 0.01); children with fair oral hygiene and poor oral hygiene had increased odds of having dental caries (P ≤ 0.001; P ≤ 0.001), last child of the family also had increased odds of having dental caries while children from large family size had reduced odds of having dental caries. This study also showed that first permanent molars and second primary molars were mostly affected by dental caries but there was no significant difference between distribution of the maxillary or mandibular jaw or between right and left quadrants. Age, oral hygiene, birth rank and family size were the significant determinants of dental caries in the study population and the teeth mostly affected were first permanent molars and second primary molars.

Complications and Risk Factors of Neonatal Macrosomia: A Case-Control Study

Background: Macrosomia is defined as the birth weight of greater than or equal to 4,000 grams, which is considered to be a public health issue threatening mothers and neonates. Studies indicate that the prevalence rate of macrosomia is on the rise in developing countries. The present study aimed to evaluate the influential factors in the occurrence of neonatal macrosomia. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Al-Zahra Hospital in Tabriz, located in the north-west of Iran, during March 2013-February 2014. Sample population included all the live-born neonates and their mothers. The case group consisted of the neonates with the birth weight of ≥4,000 grams (n=404), and the control group included 404 newborns weighing 2,500-3,999 grams. Data were collected using a maternal and neonatal information form (maternal age, neonatal gender, mode of delivery, maternal height, and maternal history of diabetes). Data were extracted from the medical files of the samples and recorded in the form. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20 using descriptive and inferential statistics (independent t-test and 2χ) at the significance level of α=0.05. Results: In total, 8,012 neonates were born during the study, 404 of whom has macrosomia (5.04%). Mean maternal age in the case and control groups was 29.6±6.1 and 27.9±8.3 years, respectively (P<0.001). Significant differences were observed in the gender (male) (odds ration [OR]=2.2 [95% CI: 1.33-3.04]; P<0.001), mode of delivery (OR=0.51 [95% CI: 0.37-0.69]; P<0.001), maternal history of diabetes (OR=4.5 [95% CI: 2.3-8.73]; P<0.001), and number of deliveries (birth rank) (OR=1.6 [95% CI: 1.19-2.39]; P<0.001) between the case and control groups. Conclusion: According to the results, there were significant associations between macrosomia at birth and maternal age, maternal history of diabetes, and birth rank. Therefore, proper planning and educational interventions are recommended for the control of the influential factors in the occurrence of macrosomia.

First and second trimester urinary metabolic profiles and fetal growth restriction: an exploratory nested case-control study within the infant development and environment study

BackgroundRoutine prenatal care fails to identify a large proportion of women at risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR). Metabolomics, the comprehensive analysis of low molecular weight molecules (metabolites) in biological samples, can provide new and earlier biomarkers of prenatal health. Recent research has suggested possible predictive first trimester urine metabolites correlating to fetal growth restriction in the third trimester. Our objective in this current study was to examine urinary metabolic profiles in the first and second trimester of pregnancy in relation to third trimester FGR in a US population from a large, multi-center cohort study of healthy pregnant women.MethodsWe conducted a nested case-control study within The Infant Development and the Environment Study (TIDES), a population-based multi-center pregnancy cohort study. We identified 53 cases of FGR based on the AUDIPOG [Neonatal growth - AUDIPOG [Internet]. [cited 29 Nov 2016]. Available from: http://www.audipog.net/courbes_morpho.php?langue=en] formula for birthweight percentile considering maternal height, age, and prenatal weight, as well as infant sex, gestational age, and birth rank. Cases were matched to 106 controls based on study site, maternal age (± 2 years), parity, and infant sex. NMR spectroscopy was used to assess concentrations of four urinary metabolites that have been previously associated with FGR (tyrosine, acetate, formate, and trimethylamine) in first and second trimester urine samples. We fit multivariate conditional logistic regression models to estimate the odds of FGR in relation to urinary concentrations of these individual metabolites in the first and second trimesters. Exploratory analyses of custom binned spectroscopy results were run to consider other potentially related metabolites.ResultsWe found no significant association between the relative concentrations of each of the four metabolites and odds of FGR. Exploratory analyses did not reveal any significant differences in urinary metabolic profiles. Compared with controls, cases delivered earlier (38.6 vs 39.8, p < 0.001), and had lower birthweights (2527 g vs 3471 g, p < 0.001). Maternal BMI was similar between cases and controls.ConclusionsFirst and second trimester concentrations of urinary metabolites (acetate, formate, trimethylamine and tyrosine) did not predict FGR. This inconsistency with previous studies highlights the need for more rigorous investigation and data collection in this area before metabolomics can be clinically applied to obstetrics.

The relationship between neonatal factors and involving with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) and patients' outcome in Fars Province

Introduction: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) or fauvism is the most common enzyme deficiency in human, so that 400 million people are living with this disease worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the role of some neonatal factors among newborns suffering from G6PD deficiency and neonatal outcomes associated with this disease. Materials and methods: In this study, two methods including case-control and retrospective cohort regarding some neonatal factors associated with G6PD deficiency were used. These methods were performed on 142 children with this kind of deficiency and 142 healthy infants in the city of Marvdasht during 2013- 2014. The analysis of data was based on chi-square tests, t-test, logistic regression, descriptive statistics and estimation of odds ratios or relative risks via SPSS16 software. Results: Totally 284 newborns including 132 (46.6%)/ 152 (53.4%) boys/girls and mean weight on birth of 3163 ± 471 (gr) were analyzed. Comparison of case and control samples did not show any significant differences between sex and involving with G6PD deficiency but the chance of having a baby with this defect in pregnancy intervals between 6 to 8 years was increased (95% CI: 1- 4.4, OR: 2). Relative risk of jaundice in infected and healthy infants was estimated as 3.73, which demonstrated a statistically significant association (95% CI: 1.33- 10.4). The frequency of low birth weight, birth order and type of delivery was associated with the disease, but their differences were insignificant compared to the healthy group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the number of hospitalization is increased due to jaundice in infants with G6PD. There is also an insignificant relation between low birth weight, rank of birth and type of delivery. Thus, it is recommended that other consequences of this deficiency need to be revealed by screening other populations with more samples.

You’ll Be a Migrant, My Son: Accounting for Migrant Selection within the Household

This paper presents a theoretical model to account for household-based migration decisions and derives its implications for migrant selection within the household. Unlike individual selection models, a household model allows us to account for the role played by future remittances, along with earnings differentials, in shaping intrahousehold selection patterns of migrants. We develop a structural estimation procedure based on an extension of the Roy-Dahl model and provide an empirical application using original matched data on Senegalese migrants in three host countries and their household of origin in Senegal. We exploit information on Koranic schooling and birth rank to predict migrants’ remittance potential. Our results show that, conditional on earnings, household members with the highest remittance potential have a higher propensity to be selected into migration, consistent with the predictions of our household model.

Immunization Completion in Infants Born at Low Birth Weight

Low birth weight (LBW) has been associated with underimmunization. We sought to understand the effect of LBW on immunization completion after controlling for previously hypothesized mediators, including prematurity, neonatal illness, well-child care, non-well-child visits, and provider consistency. We formed a retrospective cohort of infants born between 2008 and 2011 with ≥2 years of military healthcare follow-up. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes were used to identify LBW, preterm birth, neonatal illnesses, well-child visits, non-well-child visits, provider consistency, and parental rank in the inpatient and outpatient records. Immunization records were extracted from both records. Logistic regression determined the odds of immunization completion and well-child care completion (ie, having had ≥6 WCC visits by 15 months of age). Of 135964 included infants, 116521 (85.7%) were completely immunized at the age of 2 years. In adjusted analysis, the odds of immunization completion were significantly decreased in infants born at LBW (odds ratio [OR], 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.79-0.97]), very LBW (OR, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.48-0.77]), or extremely LBW (OR, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.33-0.63]) or at ≤32 weeks' gestation (OR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.63-0.92]), infants with chronic lung disease (OR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.45-0.88]), male infants (OR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.93-0.99]), and infants who experienced decreased provider consistency (OR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.91-0.92]). The rate of immunization completion increased with the overall number of healthcare visits (OR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.02-1.02]) and complete well-child care (OR, 1.80 [95% CI, 1.75-1.86]). However, children born LBW or preterm were significantly less likely to have complete well-child care. After adjustment for preterm birth, comorbid neonatal conditions, and early childhood patterns of healthcare use, LBW was significantly associated with immunization noncompletion in a universal healthcare system. Provider consistency and well-child care seem important for increasing immunization completion in LBW infants.

Family structure and oral habits among children age 1 to 12 years resident in ile-ife, Nigeria

Oral habits are repetitive actions that are done automatically. These behaviours are started and stopped spontaneously with or without deleterious effect on the developing occlusion. Aim: To explore the family related factors associated with oral habits in children resident in sub-urban Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study utilizing a household survey to recruit 992 1year to 12-year-olds. Information collected using a structured questionnaire included gender, family structure (parenting structure, birth rank, number of siblings, socioeconomic status) and types of non-nutritive habits. The association between family structures related variables and presence of non-nutritive oral habits was determined using Chi square. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of presence of oral habits. Results: There was no significant association between the prevalence of oral habits and parenting structure (p=0.52), birth rank (p=0.50) and socioeconomic status (p=0.14). However, the association between oral habits prevalence and number of siblings the child had was significant (p=0.03). The odds of having a non-nutritive oral habit reduced insignificantly for those from middle (AOR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.42-1.08) and low (AOR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.59-1.55) socioeconomic class when compared with those with high socioeconomic status; and for last born and only children (AOR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.56-1.60) and children with 2-4 siblings (AOR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.36-1.09) when compared with those that have more than 4 siblings. The odds were higher for children who were living with single parents or guardians (AOR: 1.41; 95% CI: 0.76-2.59; p=0.27) and for males (AOR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.82-1.78). Conclusion: The study was unable to identify a significant family related predictor of presence of non-nutritive oral habits in the study population though a number of these factors increased the odds of having the habits. There is need to explore if specific family factors are associated with the presence of specific non-nutritive habits in this group of children.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILD ABUSE AND FAMILY, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN

Introduction: Child abuse is a social problem that affects children’s life in the society. Although there is not a sophisticated statistic on this problem and its epidemic issue in Iran, itsshort and long-term effects have been shown in several studies. Thus, this research aimed at investing the epidemic effect of child abuse and its relationship with other factors including family, logical and social factors. Materials and Methodology: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive research that examines 592 children at the sixth grade of primary comes (i.e., 12 year-primary school students) who were selected based on clustering sampling at the girl and boy’s primary schools. The research tools for data collection were the questionnaire of multi-section including the profiles of the children and their parents and the questionnaire of child abuse. Data were coded and analyzed thought SPSS, version 19. Results: Findings showed that 41 percent of the students were abused. 99.3 percent of them were neglected or ignored. 83.6 percent of children were abused through affective (psychological) factors and 47.2 percent of children have experienced at least a case of physical (bold) abuse. 51.2 percent of the abused children were girls and the rest were boys. The highest rate of child abuse belonged to the parents (i.e., 23.9% from fathers and 18.2 % from mothers). Child abused showed a direct correlation with gender (p=0.02), divorce (p=0.05), father’s age (p=0.03), mother’s age (p=0.03), number of children (p=0.04), and the child rank of birth (p=0.05). Moreover, there was negative correlation between the fathers’ income (p=0.05) and the mother’s educational level (p=0.005). Conclusion: Results of the study showed that child abuse is seen in families, especially the parents frequently neglect and ignore the children. Thus, there is a need to protect the children through establishing strict rules and preventing programs. This requires training programs in the mass media to prevent the spread of child abuse in the society.

Risk factors for prelacteal feeding in sub-Saharan Africa: a multilevel analysis of population data from twenty-two countries.

To examine the risk factors of prelacteal feeding (PLF) among mothers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We pooled data from Demographic and Health Surveys in twenty-two SSA countries. The key outcome variable was PLF. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to explore factors associated with PLF. Demographic and Health Surveys in twenty-two SSA countries. Mother-baby pairs (n 95348). Prevalence of PLF in SSA was 32·2 %. Plain water (22·1 %), milk other than breast milk (5·0 %) and sugar or glucose water (4·1 %) were the predominant prelacteal feeds. In the multivariable analysis, mothers who had caesarean section delivery had 2·25 times the odds of giving prelacteal feeds compared with mothers who had spontaneous vaginal delivery (adjusted OR=2·25; 95 % CI 2·06, 2·46). Other factors that were significantly associated with increased likelihood of PLF were mother's lower educational status, first birth rank, fourth or above birth rank with preceding birth interval less than or equal to 24 months, lower number of antenatal care visits, home delivery, multiple birth, male infant, as well as having an average or small sized baby at birth. Mothers aged 20-34 years were less likely to give prelacteal feeds compared with mothers aged ≤19 years. Belonging to the second, middle or fourth wealth quintile was associated with lower likelihood of PLF compared with the highest quintile. To achieve optimal breast-feeding, there is a need to discourage breast-feeding practices such as PLF. Breast-feeding promotion programmes should target the at-risk sub-population groups discovered in our study.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHILDREN WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES AND CARIES FREE CHILDREN IN ORAL HEALTH HABITS: A CASE CONTROL STUDY

INTRODUCTION: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a multifactorial disease and has numerous biological, psychological and behavioral factors. It is a significant public health problem with consequences for the growth and development of affected children OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess differences between children with early childhood caries and caries free children in socioeconomic background, previous dental visits, oral hygiene practices and dietary habits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parents responded to a questionnaire about children’s background (age, sex, parental occupation and education and birth rank), in addition to previous dental visits, nursing history, tooth brushing frequency, use of fluoridated toothpaste, parental supervision of brushing and dietary habits (snack type, frequency and daily quantity). Clinical examination assessed caries using World Health Organization criteria and plaque using Loe and Silness Plaque index. The sample consisted of 84, 4-5-year-old children who visited the pediatric dentistry clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University in 2016. Equal number of cases (children with ECC) and controls (caries free children) were included. RESULTS: Children with ECC were significantly more likely to be first borne compared to caries free children (71.4% and 52.4%, P= 0.006). Previous dental visits were reported in 38.1% of children with ECC compared to 4.8% of caries free children (p < 0.0001). Exclusive breast feeding was reported in 83.3% of children with ECC compared to 59.5% of caries free children (p=0.02). Plaque index in children with ECC was significantly higher (0.70±0.53) than that of caries free children (0.39±0.50, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Being first borne, history of previous dental visits, exclusive breast feeding and high plaque index were factors that differed significantly between children with ECC and caries free children

Age at Menarche and its Related Factors among School Girls, in Zanjan, Iran

BackgroundThere are differences in the age at menarche in different countries and it seems that in recent decades gradually the age of puberty is declining. The aim of the present study was to determine the age at menarche and its related factors in school girls in Zanjan city, Iran.Materials and MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,500 healthy school girls between 6-17 years old who were selected on the basis of a multistage probability sampling. Age at menarche, birth weight, family size, Body Mass Index (BMI), fast food consumption, and physical activity, were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0.ResultsOut of 1,500 students, 273 girls (18.2%) had experienced menarche with a mean age of 12.6±1.6 (95% confidence interval [C]: 12.4-12.8), and a median age of 13 years. The prevalence of early menarche, was 10.3%, (95% CI: 6.6%-14.1%). A significant association between menarche and BMI, frequency of fast food consumption and birth rank was observed; however, we didn’t find a significant association between physical activity (P>0.05) and birth weight (P>0.05) with menarche. ConclusionThe mean age of menarche in our study was 12.6±1.6 years old, similar to other studies in Iran, and it was significantly associated with higher BMI.

Modeling birth weight neonates and associated factors.

Background:Neonate with abnormal weight is at risk of increased mortality and morbidity. Many factors affect pregnancy outcome. Because of the importance and vital role in birth weight, in this study, some of the factors associated with birth weight in a sample of Iranians neonates were investigated.Materials and Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 245 newborns in a sample of Iranians neonates in the year 2013 were selected, and characteristics of neonate and their mothers were derived. Birth weights were registered by the neonatal scale. To identify the direct and indirect factors affecting birth weight, we used path analysis (PA) and IBM AMOS and SPSS software.Results:The mean ± standard deviation of weight in girls (3200 ± 421) g less than boys (3310 ± 444) g significantly (P = 0.04). Gestational age (P < 0.001), birth rank (P = 0.012), distance from a previous pregnancy (P = 0.028), and mother weight (P = 0.04) had a statistical significant relationship with birth weight. In the final PA model, gestational age has a highest total effect, type of delivery with gestational age-mediated had the highest indirect effect and type of delivery, and gestational age had the greatest total impact on the birth weight.Conclusion:Gestational age, sex, distance from a previous pregnancy, maternal weight, type of delivery, number of abortion, and birth rank were related with birth weight. Due to the termination of pregnancy and avoid unnecessary deliveries through cesarean section and other related factors should be further consideration by childbirth experts. In addition, factors affecting these variables are carefully identified and prevented as much as possible.

Association between family structure and oral health of children with mixed dentition in suburban Nigeria.

Family structures can affect the oral health of the child. However, little is known about the impact of the family structure on oral health of children in Africa. To determine the association between family structure, twice daily toothbrushing, use of fluoridated toothpaste, caries, and oral hygiene status of 5-12-year-old children resident in semi-urban Nigeria. Secondary analysis of the data of 601 children recruited through a household survey conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The association between dependent variables (presence of caries, good oral hygiene, use of fluoridated toothpaste, and twice daily toothbrushing) and the family structure (parental structure, number of siblings, and birth rank) was determined. Simple and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association. The regression models were adjusted for age and gender. Children who were not primogenitor had significantly reduced odds of using fluoridated toothpaste (AOR: 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85-0.97; P = 0.01) when compared with children who were primogenitors or only children. Furthermore, having 0-2 siblings significantly reduced the odds of having caries (AOR: 0.46; CI: 0.28-0.78; P < 0.001) when compared with children who had three or more siblings. Children who used fluoridated toothpaste had significantly increased odds of having good oral hygiene (AOR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.18-2.28; P < 0.001). For this study population, the number of siblings and the birth rank increased the chances of having caries and use of fluoridated toothpaste, respectively.

Prevalence and family structures related factors associated with crown trauma in school children resident in suburban Nigeria.

BackgroundMultiple risk factors have been identified for traumatic dental injuries, including crown fractures, in various age groups and various populations. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors and family related factors for crown trauma among 8 to 16 year-old children in a suburban population, Nigeria.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a data of 2107 children collected through a school-based survey. Study participants were 8 to 16 year-old resident in suburban Nigeria. The independent variables for the study were age, sex, socioeconomic status, and birth rank, family size and parenting status (one parent, step parent, both parents, and guardians). Details were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Intraoral examination was conducted to identify presence of crown fracture. The independent variables associated with and predictors of crown trauma were determinedusing chi-square and logistic regression analysis respectively.ResultsOnly 167 (7.9 %) of the 2107 study participants had crown trauma. The teeth level prevalence of crown trauma was 0.33 %. Children with middle socioeconomic status had reduced odds of having crown trauma when compared with children with low socioeconomic status (AOR 0.50; CI 0.32–0.80). The odds of having crown traumawas more than doubled in males when compared with females (AOR 2.41; CI 1.72–3.39) and almost doubled in children living with single parents when compared with children living with both parents (AOR 1.94; CI 1.29–3.05).ConclusionsThe prevalence of crown traumawas low in this study population. Being a female and having lowsocioeconomic status significantly reduced the risk factors for crown traumawhile living with single parents increased risk for crown trauma.

What factors influence the choice of first healthcare provider for childhood fever or cough in Ghana?

Malaria and Pneumonia are major killers of children underfive. However, fever and cough are major signs of Malaria and Pneumonia respectively and hence making proper management of fever and cough indispensable in the fight against underfive mortality. This study therefore investigated the factors that influence the choice of first healthcare provider for children with fever or cough in Ghana. The study used the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) as the main source of data. By employing the multinomial probit model, the study found that urban children, children with higher birth rank, older children, children from the Ga/Dangme, Akan, Mole-Dagbani, Ewe, Mande and Gurma ethnicity and children of mothers with big problems with regards to permission and distance to seek self-medical care were more likely to be given self-medication or to be sent to a traditional practitioner initially for fever or cough. Contrary, mothers with health insurance, aging mothers and wealthy households were less likely to first resort to self-medication or a traditional practitioner in order to seek care for children with fever or cough. The study therefore concludes that ethnicity, residence, permission and distance to seek medical care by mother, mother’s health insurance, household wealth, child’s age, mother’s age and birth order are the factors that influence the choice of first healthcare provider for children with fever or cough in Ghana.

The investigation of the causes of failure to thrive among children referred to health centers based on the health belief model

IntroductionFailure to thrive (FTT) leads to more serious complications such as mortality-reduced learning and mental, emotional or physical disabilities. This study aimed to determine the causes of growth disorders among 3–6 years old children covered by health centers of Semnan. MethodsThis is a descriptive-analytical study which was conducted in Semnan in 2014. Two hundred children, 3–6 years of age, who referred to health centers, were selected and studied through stratified and random sampling in two groups: healthy group and group with failure to thrive. Mothers completed two questionnaires containing demographic and comprehensive information on the child feeding methods (CFPQ). By using CFPQ, child feeding method was evaluated from 12 aspects. SPSS 18 software was used for statistical analysis of data. ResultsTwo hundred children were studied. In which 51.2% were female and 48.8% were male. The majority of them were aged between 4–5 years old. Considering birth rank, all the children were of first birth. Majority of mothers (78.2%) were housewives, and majority of fathers were self-employed. There was a significant difference between the groups considering mothers’ level of education and failure to thrive (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference between household's income and failure to thrive between the groups (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between the groups considering model constructs such as perceived intensity (p=0.02%), perceived benefits (0.011%) and self-efficacy (0.01%). ConclusionThe results of this study showed that there is a significant association between social factors and failure to thrive. The findings also indicated that household size, income, mothers’ knowledge, perceived severity, and perceived benefits are associated with failure to thrive. Therefore, educational intervention for family planning is recommended for nutrition patterns in order to regulate household size and promote mothers’ knowledge and self-efficiency.

Growth rates of Romane ewe lambs and correlated effects of being mated as hoggets or two-tooth ewes on first offspring performance

Growth rates, from birth to first lambing, were characterized for a representative population of Romane ewe lambs belonging to a flock reared in rangelands (south of France). Data from 1359 females born during the decade 2002–2012 were extracted from the INRA genetic national database (GEEDOC), organized and processed using several procedures of SAS (9.3). The effects of year of birth of these females, birth rank (litter size at birth: singletons, SING vs. multiple, TWIN), dam parity (primiparous, PRIM vs. multiparous, MULT) and first order interactions were considered. The growth curves were built. Carry-over effects on their first offspring performance were evaluated with two contrasted first mating systems [as hoggets, Early (n=762), 7 months of age or as two-tooth ewe, Late (n=597), 19 months of age]. Significant interactions of dam parity×birth rank were found for most of body weight (BW) comparisons from birth to first lambing. The MULT×SING and PRIM×TWIN individuals showed the highest and lowest growths, respectively. Being mated as hogget was the consequence of having higher BW at birth, weaning and early mating. However, even if Late mating constituted a change on the reproductive management policy of the farm (since 2010), present results showed that two-tooth ewes mostly corresponded to lighter ewes, thus having a weaker growth performance from birth to the early mating age. Average litter size at first lambing (1.8±0.01 vs. 2.1±0.01 lambs/lambing), litter weight (6.2±0.03 vs. 7.4±0.02kg), multiple-born lambs (70.4 vs. 79.3%), number of lambs weaned (1.02±0.006 vs. 1.55±0.004) and total lamb weaned production (23.2±0.12 vs. 31.3±0.08kg of weaned lambs) were lower (P<0.0001) in hoggets when compared to two-tooth ewes (39.7±0.07 vs. 50.6±0.04kg BW at first mating, respectively). The gender ratio of the first offspring was not affected by the age at first mating (female to male ratio: 49:51).

Barriers and facilitators of dental service utilization by children aged 8 to 11years in Enugu State, Nigeria.

BackgroundMultiple factors influence a child’s ability to access oral health care. The aim of this study was to identify factors that facilitated and served as barriers to children’s utilization of oral health care services in Enugu, Nigeria.MethodsThe study recruited 1406 primary school pupils aged 8 to 11 years. All the children received oral health education, with the aid of an oral health education curriculum appropriate for their age. After this, referral letters were given to the children. Twelve months later, the study participants were revisited in their schools to obtain information on their reasons for utilizing, or not utilizing an oral health care service in the last 12 months. The association between socio-economic status; form of parenthood; number of siblings, birth rank and reasons for utilization and non-utilization of dental services were assessed. Influence on the child’s predisposition to oral health service utilization on dental visit was also assessed.ResultsOnly 116 (14.7 %) of the 791 children accessible during the 12 months follow-up visit had visited the dental clinic and the main reason for utilization was the desire to fulfill the dentist’s request for dental visit (41.9 %) while parents’ inability to make out time for a dental visit (43.3 %) was the main reason for non-utilization. The odds of utilizing oral health care services for study participants from the middle (AOR: 0.50; CI: 0.31–0.79; P = 0.003) and low (AOR: 0.24; CI: 0.13–0.45; p = <0.001) socioeconomic strata, and those living with guardians/relatives (AOR: 0.08; CI: 0.01–0.60; p = 0.01) were decreased when compared to those living with both parents, respectively. Respondents with positive perception about dental service utilization had increased odds of utilizing oral health care (AOR: 2.96; CI: 1.48–5.90; p = 0.002).ConclusionDentists can be strong motivators for children to utilize oral health care. Time is a significant barrier for the utilization of dental services. The programs designed to address barriers to oral health care utilization for children should be geared towards overcoming the possible threats that socio-economic status and type of parents they have may pose, to reduce inequity in dental service utilization.

Socio-demographic and Lifestyle Factors in Breastfeeding Mothers, Referring to Isfahan Health Centers

Background The feeding importance of child in first two years of life and mental damage caused by malnutrition during this period is obvious. However the mother's lifestyle and long-term effects on the health of the mother and infant during breastfeeding period should not be neglected. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between the demographic characteristics and lifestyle of breastfeeding mothers referring to health centers in Isfahan. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study, 190 breastfeeding mothers were selected by quota sampling from Isfahan-Iran. Demographic and lifestyle questionnaires were completed. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistical methods using of SPSS-16. Results The majority of mothers (88.9%) in breast feeding period have an appropriate lifestyle. The most favorable conditions among different aspects of lifestyle related to spiritual health and the most unfavorable is related to sports and fitness. There was a direct and significant relationship between mother's education and prevention of accidents (r=0.34, P<0.05); father’s education and social health (r=0.281, P<0.05) respectively. Results showed with increasing rank of birth, the avoiding of medications, drug and alcohol decreased; also with increasing duration of breastfeeding, prevention of accidents reduced (P<0.05). Conclusion According of these findings, it seems that the pregnancy and postpartum period offers a percpective of opportunity to healthcare professionals to train and correct lifestyle and its different aspects of mothers in order to improve the health of the mother and infant.

Evaluating the Diagnostic Value of Skin Bilirubin in Comparison with Plasma Bilirubin to Identify Hyperbilirubinemia in Healthy Babies

Background: An elevated level of bilirubin in the blood is the most common and benign problem among newborns; it is also the most important factor in the evaluation of neonatal jaundice in newborns. If severe indirect hyperbilirubinemia is left untreated, it can be neurotoxic; therefore, doctors cannot overstate the need for the early detection of hyperbilirubinemia. Objectives: We investigated the relationship between the skin and plasma methods of the quality of the BiliChek process as a means of diagnosing hyperbilirubinemia Patients and Methods: This study was performed at Amiralmomenin hospital in Semnan, Iran and examined 64 healthy infants who had gestational ages of 37 weeks and greater and jaundice as their sole cause for hospitalization. Infants hospitalized due to other diseases, such as sepsis, were excluded from the study. First, a blood sample was taken to determine the infants’ serum total bilirubin. Then, the amount of bilirubin was determined with BiliChek placed on three locations: the infants’ foreheads, chests, and left thighs. Results: SD ± mean values of the skin method on each forehead, chest, and thigh were respectively (3.5 ± 13.8, 12.8 ± 3.5 and 9.7 ± 2.6 mg per deciliter); using the plasma method, bilirubin SD ± mean was 14.4 ± 4.0, so that the skin method in all three areas was lower than the plasma method. Variables such as the type of delivery, birth rank, blood type, birth weight, and maternal age are independent of hyperbilirubinemia level, and there is no significant relationship between them. There is only a significant relationship between bilirubin levels and a baby’s age, as there is a significant relationship to birth (P = 0.000). Cut off point for the use of BiliChek in the forehead has been set at 3.13 milligrams per deciliter, and the sensitivity and specificity levels are 83.87% and 92.59%, respectively. As for the chest, it was 3.13 mg dL, with sensitivity and specificity levels of 83.87% and 96.30%, respectively. For the thigh, it was 9.7 mg per dL, with sensitivity and specificity levels of 83.87% and 96.30% respectively. There is no significant difference between the three areas mentioned in the skin method for predicting hyperbilirubinemia. Conclusions: In our study, we determined that BiliChek can be used in the diagnosis of hyperbilirubinemia, but this use is limited and applies only to the cutoff point and for values higher than the cutoff point. BiliChek is used as a means of screening for infants that need blood sampling.