Benghazi Children Research Articles

Oral Hygiene Practices and Dietary Behaviours in a Group of Children in Benghazi, Libya

Oral Hygiene Practices and Dietary Behaviours in a Group of Children in Benghazi, Libya

Prevalence and associated risk factors for Giardia lamblia infection among children hospitalized for diarrhea in The Pediatric Hospita

In pediatric hospitals, the epidemiology of Giardia lamblia infection presents distinctive challenges given children's heightened vulnerability to this protozoan parasite. The study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of G. lamblia and its associated risk factors at Benghazi Children's Hospital. Conducted from January to December 2019, the study involved the collection and microscopic examination of 1780 stool samples from hospitalized children. Personal data was also collected for statistical analysis during this period. Results revealed a prevalence rate of 7.40% (133 out of 1780) for G. lamblia. Factors such as gender and seasonal variations were identified as potential influencers of prevalence rates. The prevalence rate of giardiasis in male children (65.40%) was higher than in female children. Furthermore, differences in infection rates across different seasons and months of the year were observed, with the highest prevalence recorded in spring and by month in April (36.80%) and the lowest in May of the year.

Development of a Clothing Sizing System for Benghazian Children Based on Anthropometric Measurements

the current study is the second step towards the overall objective of development of a clothing sizing system for Libyan children based on anthropometric body measurements of Libyan school children. The aim of this paper is to examine anthropometric measurements for students in grades four, five and six in the basic education stage, to collect body measurements of school children in Benghazi and analyze them using simple statistical methods that would help determining the body ranges and variations present for students in the three grades and use them, in turn, to develop sizing system of these grades. The anthropometric data were analyzed using Minitab program. ANOVA and kruskal-Wallis tests were used to identify differences between age groups. The results showed that there are differences between the most body measurements except the arm length and waist to hip length. These differences were taken into account when developing the sizing system. Pearson correlation coefficients analysis was carried out to determine the interrelationships between the various body measurements. From these findings it can be concluded that the weight is very strongly correlated with some dimensions. Height and weight measurements were used as a guide to determine the size of clothes. The mean values and the standard deviation were used for creating size steps for the size chart. Three kinds of sizes were identified: L (large), M (medium) and S (small).

Foreign Body Aspiration in Children Clinical, Radiological, and Bronchoscopic Findings

Background: Inhalation of foreign bodies (FBs) is a frequent and adverse condition in the pediatric population. Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a serious health problem that is sometimes fatal. According to the 2019 data of the National Safety Council (NSC), deaths associated with FBA are the fourth most common preventable accident between the ages of 0–4 years. Aim: The study aimed to retrospectively inspect foreign body aspiration (FBA) among children by focusing on symptoms, physical and radiological examination and complications. Method: This was a retrospective study (case series) conducted at Benghazi Children‘s Hospital in a period from1st. October 2020 to1st. October 2022 that included all children under 15 years old who underwent rigid bronchoscopy for suspected foreign body aspiration. Results: A total of 131 patients who underwent bronchoscopy were included in this study. The mean age of the studied group was (3.5±3.4 years) ranged from 2 months to 15 years. The FBA was most common (50, 38.17%) in the age group (1-3 years), followed by children aged <1 year (38, 29.01%), and less common in patients aged >10 years (8, 6.11%). The FBA was slightly higher in females (73, 55.73 %) than males (58, 44.27%). The history of FBA and the presence of FB in bronchoscopy were witnessed in the majority of cases: (108, 82.44%) and (117, 89.31%) respectively. The majority of removed FB were organic in nature (83, 70.94 %) with the predominance of peanuts (33, 39.76%), and seeds (21, 25.30%). Most of FB is located in the right main bronchus (46, 51.69%) followed by the left main bronchus (16, 17). A large number of cases (83, 72.82%) took more than two days (48 hours) between aspiration and the removal of a foreign body. Cough was the most common symptom (100, 77.5%), followed by chocking (88, 68.2%), then breathlessness (61, 47.3%), and the other cases presented the following symptoms in decreasing order: wheezing, cyanosis, fever, grunting, seizure, dysphagia, ........

Contaminated Money Investigation into the Hygiene Status of some Hospitals as Obtained from Food Outlet

This study aims to determine the presence of bacterial contamination associated with currency as obtained from hospital’s food outlet. Samples were randomly collected from cafeteria’s of Benghazi Medical Center Hospital, Benghazi Children's Hospital, and Al Jalaa Hospital. Bacteria isolates belonged to gram negative and gram positive were used to perform antibiotic sensitivity testing. Total count of bacteria from currency found 10 type of bacteria, the highest type of bacteria, Lactobacillus 50%, followed by Acinetobacter 20.3%, Klebsiella 7.4%, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli 3.7%, while the lowest Staphylococcus epidermas, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Rhizobium radiobacter were 1.8% and no growth 22.8%, the sensitivity of the isolated bacteria showed the Acinetobacter baumanni highest resistant to Augmantine (78%) and lowest to both Ceftazidimde and Aztronam with (11%), the Klebsiella pneumonia shows (100%) resistant to Erythromycin and Oxcilin. While the two sample of Escherichia coli were resistant to Augmantine and Ceftazidime. In addition, the two samples of Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to Erythromycin and Oxcilin (100%), two samples of Staphylococcu epidermidis were resistant to Erythromycin and Oxcilin (100%), while the one sample Pseudomonas spp was resistant to Colastin (100%), the Pantoea spp sample was resistant to both Ceftriaxone and Colastin (100%), while the only sample of Staphylococcus Haemolyticus was resistant (100%) to Erythromycin. Confirming that the contaminated currency spread in the hospital cafeteria was contaminated with disease-causing bacteria.

Risk Factors for Asthma Among Preschool Children Attending Allergy Clinic at Benghazi Children’ Hospital, Libya

Introduction: Bronchial asthma is a common heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disorder of the lower respiratory airways in childhood. Aim: This study aimed to examine different recognized risk factors of asthma. Methods: A total of 420 children sample of case-control groups of matched age (1-5 years) and gender were randomly selected and recruited in this study. The number of children in each group was (210). The cross-sectional study was conducted at Benghazi children’s hospital for six months period from 1st of June 2021 to 31st of December 2021. The data were collected using a self-administrated. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (version 22). The chi-square test used to compare proportions. Whereas, the binary logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The result of cross-tabulation using chi-square of all different recognized factors showed a statistically significant different of p-value>0.05 were age, the family history of asthma and atopy, personal history of asthma, pet in the house, maternal medication intake, maternal treatment for the common cold, mode of delivery, preterm delivery, low birth weight, and recurrent respiratory tract infections. On other hand, the analysis of all substantial risk factors for asthma using a binary logistic regression showed age (being older (>3-5 Years)) had a protective effect against asthma (OR=0.800, (95% CI)=(0.492-1.302)), gender (being female had a protective effect against asthma (OR=0.886, (95% CI) = (0.544-1.443)), paternal (OR=0.698, (95% CI) = (0.400-1.217), not maternal educational levels had a protective against asthma, none of the personal and environmental factors affected the development of asthma in our studied children. While, the greatest contribution in this study was from natal and post natal factors including mode of delivery (OR= 0.621, (95% CI) = (0.383-1.006), and type of feeding (OR=0.854, (95% CI) = (0.515-1.416) that are a

Etiology and Outcome of Convulsive Status Epileptics in Children

Objective of study: To review the etiology, clinical profile, and outcome of status epileptics (SE) in pediatric age group. Methods: Data from 50 cases was obtained prospectively which admitted to intensive care unit Benghazi children hospital from between May, 2019 and May, 2020 Patients aged between 30 days and 15 years with the symptoms of SE were selected for this study exclusion criteria convulsion at neonatal age and patient with non-convulsive status epileptics. Results: The data show that Male sex of the cases was predominant as they represented 58% complemented by 42% females: Although male gender was greater than female among the cases, the deaths were 50% male and 50% female, so mortality was equal etiology of the status epileptics it was observed that, in 62% of the sample due to acute symptomatic condition, in 26% due to remote symptomatic illness, unclassified reason was reported in 6%, complex febrile convulsion in 4% and epilepsy related in 2%. Type of seizure was generalized tonic-clonic convulsion in 94% and focal in 6%. Of cases Number of drug used for the cases was one drug in 2%, two drugs in 20%, three drugs in 60% and four drugs in 18%. More than have of the cases (52%) were classified as refractory to anticonvulsant therapy, 8% were super-refractory. 40% of the sample responded to two anticonvulsant medications Outcome of death happened in 20% of the cases (10 cases) and transfer to the ward was done for 80%. Conclusion: Patients with younger age and male sex are slightly more vulnerable to develop SE. Longer duration of SE and acute symptomatic an etiology are independent predictors for poor outcome status epileptics.

Association between dental caries and obesity among Libyan schoolchildren during the armed conflict in Benghazi

BackgroundDental caries and Obesity in children are issues of public health concern. Even though researching the relationship between these two noncommunicable diseases has been conducted for many years, the results remain equivocal. This paper aimed to examine the association between dental caries and obesity among 12-year-old schoolchildren living in war-affected environment in Benghazi.MethodsA secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of caries among 12-year-old school children in Benghazi in 2017 during the armed conflict that affected the city. The data extracted for the analysis included sociodemographic of the participants (gender, maternal education and school type), caries experience (DMFT index), and anthropometric measures (height in cm, weight in kg, BMI and Z score for BMI). Comparisons of anthropometric measures were conducted according to caries experience. Linear regression models were developed to determine the association between Body Mass Index and Z score as outcome variables, caries as an explanatory variable, and covariates (gender, maternal education and school type). Beta coefficient (β) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. All statistical tests were conducted at p ≤ 0.05.ResultsThere were 782 children with a mean (SD) BMI of 20.7 SD5.09 and an average z (SD) score of 0.56 SD1.51. Also, 159 (20%) children had obesity. No significant association was observed between caries and anthropometric measures. However, higher BMI was observed in children from a private school (p ≤ 0.001***), females (p ≤ 0.001***) and self-reported regular sugary drinks consumers (p ≤ 0.001***).ConclusionThe present study shows no significant association between dental caries and anthropometric measures. However, the study findings support the notion of tackling sugar intake as a common risk factor for caries and obesity, which should be encouraged in the Libyan culture.

Acute Retropharyngeal Abscess in Libyan Children: Case Series and Literature Review

Abstract Background A retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is a deep neck infection that considers a medical emergency because of the possibility of serious complications including life-threatening upper airway obstruction, mediastinitis, and sepsis. Materials and Methods We present our experience in Benghazi Children's Hospital, describing the clinical presentations, diagnostic workup, management, and the outcome of four children presented during the time period between November 2017 and November 2021 as cases of RPA secondary to penetrating trauma to the posterior pharyngeal wall either due to ingestion of a foreign body or due to manipulation of tonsils by the traditional therapist. Results All cases presented with fever, poor feeding, and hyperextension of the neck. All were diagnosed by ultrasound and they needed surgical drainage of RPA, as they did not improve with medical treatment alone. Conclusion A high index of suspicion is necessary for the early diagnosis and treatment of RPA. Two of our cases were presented following the manipulation of tonsils by a traditional therapist, so we attempted to emphasize this life-threatening consequence after traditional therapy, as well as the unnecessary morbidity and mortality associated with this ongoing traditional treatment in our country.

Risk Factors and Outcome of Pneumothorax in Neonates at Benghazi Children Hospital during Three Years Review

Background: Pneumothorax occurs more frequently in the neonatal period than in any other period of life and it is associated with the increased mortality and morbidity. Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of pneumothorax and to assess risk factors, management as well as the outcome of newborn infants with pneumothorax. Subjects and Methods: A case series study of 112 newborns infants with pneumothorax (PTX) who were admitted and treated at NICU in Benghazi children hospital in Libya for three years period, from January 2018 to December 2020 are included in this descriptive study. Medical records were evaluated for baseline characteristics of neonates, predisposing factors of neonatal PTX, management and mortality. Results: During the observed three-year period, 5166 neonates were admitted to hospital and 112 of neonates were diagnosed with pneumothorax (CXR confirmed), so the frequency of pneumothorax was 2.2% from neonatal admission. Males outnumbered females by a ratio of 1.9:1. Full term delivery was recorded in 60.7% of patients and 39.3% were pre term. Mean birth weight was 2.5±0.67 kg, with medium weight 2.8kg and minimum weight was 1.08kg and maximum weight was 4.5kg. More than half (68.7%) of patients had birth weight ≥2.5kg. Administration of corticosteroid during pregnancy was recorded in 13.4% of mothers. Concerning mode of delivery, C/S constitute 75%, elective C/S was recorded in 64.3% and 35.7% was emergency, while normal delivery recorded 25%. Spontaneous pneumothorax was found in 32.1%, and secondary pneumothorax was recorded in 67.9% of patients. Age of baby when had PTX was ≤ 48 hours of age in 63.4% of them and >48 hours of age in 36.6%. Side of PTX was at right side in 54.5%, at left side in 22.3% and bilateral in 23.2%. Underlying lung pathology was recorded in 60.7% of patients, 41% had hyaline membrane disease, 8.9% had transient tachypnea of newborn, 6.3% had Congenital Pneumonia, 2.7% had Meconium aspiration ............

The prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the pediatric hospital of Benghazi city, Libya.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a frequent clinical problem and may have adverse clinicalconsequences especially for infants and young children. There have been no studies conducted todetermine the incidence rate of UTIs among children in Benghazi and the guidelines for the laboratorydiagnosis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing remained largely unmanaged. Accordingly, weinvestigated the prevalence of pediatric UTIs during the first six months of the year 2015 in the pediatrichospital of Benghazi city. About 2100 urine samples were collected from patients presented with clinicalsigns of UTIs. In both hospitalized patients admitted to different hospital units and from the outpatientdepartment (OPD), the overall bacterial UTIs rate was 15.43% (324 UTI-positive samples). In OPD, therate of UTIs in boys was 61.83% compared to 45.33% in girls. However, UTIs were more frequent in girlsthan boys as indicated from samples received from the other hospital internal units. The most commoncause of UTIs was Escherichia coli (64.32%). Other responsible agents have included Klebseilla, Proteus,Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas and Streptococcus. The rate of resistance to amoxicillin andnorfloxacin was about 40%. Similarly, the other antibacterial drugs routinely used for UTI susceptibilitytesting revealed less than 30% resistance. Therefore, important factors such as incidence rate of UTIs,standard laboratory diagnosis, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing require a special consideration inchildren for optimal UTIs treatment.

Dietary Mineral Imbalance among Primary School Children in Benghazi

Dietary Mineral Imbalance among Primary School Children in Benghazi

Prevalence and pattern of dental caries in primary molars among Libyan school children in Benghazi

Aims: To assess prevalence and severity of dental caries in primary teeth among Libyan school children in Benghazi. Study design: Cross sectional observational study. Material and Methods: A total of 236 school children, aged 8-9 years were selected for a dental examination. The oral health was measured using World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria for dental caries: decayed, missing and filled tooth, dmft index for primary dentition. Results: The overall caries prevalence was 83.5% (mean dmft 3.3) with the highest caries prevalence recorded among 8 year-old children (45.3%, mean dmft 3.53). Mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) was 2.91, 0.31, 0.09 respectively. Second primary molars had higher dmft than the first (mean dmft 1.72, 1.33 respectively) and the difference was statistically significant p=0.001. The mean dmft of mandibular primary molars was higher than that of maxillary ones (mean dmft 1.67, 1.38) and the differences was statistically significant p=0.01. Conclusion: While the prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth was found to be high, the treated and filled teeth are very low. The most commonly affected teeth were second primary molars, especially in the mandible. Dental caries occurred most often in the mandible. This study provided us with the baseline data for prevalence of dental caries. Providing oral health education and preventive programs would assist in improving the oral health condition of school children.

A Statistical Model for Analyzing Anthropometric Data and Developing Clothing Sizing Systems for Libyan School Children

A garment sizing system is essential for effective clothing design and production. A sizing system classifies a specific population into homogeneous subgroups based on some key dimensions. Persons of the same subgroup have the same body shape characteristics, and share the same garment size. Anthropometric data plays important role in creating clothing sizing system. The current work represents the sixth step towards the overall goal of developing the Libyan children’s clothing standards system based on physical measurements of the human body of Libyan schoolchildren. The objective of the current work is to study the physical measurements of students aged 6 to 17 years in the stages of primary, secondary. The body measurements of school children in Benghazi were collected and analyzed using simple statistics methods to understand the body ranges and current of student in all stages to develop the system sizing. The measurements were collected from previous projects. Some measurements were collected to complement a work of 90 (male and female) students between 6, 7 and 8 years old from a school in Benghazi. ANOVA test was used to determine differences between age groups.

Effects of water consumption frequency on prevalence of dental caries and Erosion

Aims: There is no data neither on consumption frequency of drinking water (exposure to fluoride) nor its effects on the prevalence of dental caries and erosion in Libyan schoolchildren. Therefore, the aims were to estimate the frequency of daily consumption of drinking water and test their relationship with the prevalence of dental caries and erosion in a group of Libyan children in Benghazi. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study. Data on daily water consumption from a randomly selected sample using a questionnaire survey was obtained. This questionnaire was based on the one previously used in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2000). Dental caries was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Dental erosion was assessed using UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2000) criteria. Associations between caries, erosion and variables understudy were investigated through processes of bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Seven hundred and eighty eight schoolchildren completed questionnaire survey and underwent dental examination. The mean age was 11.7 years (SD±0.31). Of the sample; 441 (56%) of the subjects consumed both tap and bottled water. Two hundred and thirty four (30%) consumed just tap water with frequency ranged between 0.5 and 8 times a day. One hundred and thirteen children (14%) consumed just bottled water (low fluoride) with frequency ranged between 0.6 and 9 times a day. Four hundred and sixty children (58%) had experience of dental caries and 316 children (40%) exhibited dental erosion. Girls had more experience of dental caries and erosion than boys. There were no statistically significant associations between exposure to fluoride from drinking water (tap/bottled) in terms of frequency and experience of dental erosion and caries. Conclusion: In this study, the benefit of fluoride in drinking water was overwhelmed by exposure to other variables. Dental erosion and caries have multifactorial aetiology which suggests other factors had influence on their progression. However, drinking water should be encouraged and maintained within Libyan schoolchildren as part of a healthy diet and for its fluoride protection effect against dental caries and erosion and to displace sugared-acidic drinks consumption.

Evaluation of using urine strip in diagnosis of children's meningitis in Benghazi-Libya

Background: Bacterial meningitis is still considered as one of the most dangerous infectious diseases, which numerous complications and high mortality if not diagnosed and treated timely. Objective: to evaluate the usefulness of urine reagent strip tests in the diagnosis of meningitis Patients and methods: ninety of children aged less than 11 years were included. They clinically suspected to have meningitis from Benghazi children's hospital in the period from February 2017 to April 2018. CSF samples were tested using both Combur-10 urinary reagent strip and CSF microscopy examination as reference standards. Combur-10 was used to estimate ten parameters including protein, glucose, and leukocytes. Results: The diagnostic accuracy of protein estimation by reagent atrin show 91.7% sensitivity. 100% speciicity for detection of CSF proteins, Glucose reagent strip positivity had 97.5% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity for detection of CSF glucose. Leukocyte esterase positivity by test strip had sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98.8% for the detection of CSF granulocytes of more than 10 granulocytea/mm. The majority of meningitis were found in children aged less than2 years 191.1%), and incidence of meningitis was found the same percentage in both males and females (41%) for each Conclusions: our results suggest that reagent strips may be a useful additional resource in the diagnosis of bac terial meningitis, especially when it is difficult to collect a sufficient amount of cerebrospinal fluid or to indicate the initial treatment.

A comparative study on dental caries incidence of the first permanent molars between two age groups children in Benghazi, Libya

A comparative study on dental caries incidence of the first permanent molars between two age groups children in Benghazi, Libya

Characteristics and Causes of Neonatal Mortality in Hospitalized Cases at Benghazi Children's Hospital (2013-2014)

Background: Neonatal morbidity and mortality are major global public health challenges with approximately 3.1 million babies worldwide dying each year in the first month of life. The vast majority of neonatal death occurs in developing countries. 
 Aims: This study was undertaken to assess the magnitude of neonatal mortality and identify the main causes and associated factors of neonatal mortality. 
 Methodology: A retrospective study of 5791 neonates was conducted in Benghazi children hospital from 1st January 2013 up to December 2014. 
 Results: During the two years of the study there were 5791 neonates admitted to neonatal unit of Benghazi hospital, out of them 389 died (6.7% of total neonatal admissions) accounting for 59.6% of the total Paediatric deaths within the same period, moreover approximately one neonate died every 48 hours throughout the study period. There was a slight predominance of male deaths 225 (57.5%) over females 164 (42.5%). The majority of neonates were Libyan 365 (94%), 212 of them were born in Benghazi, while the remaining 177 from other cities. Preterm neonate accounted for 35% (138) of deceased neonates. The most common causes were lung diseases of prematurity (29%), sepsis (25%), Congenital Heart Diseases (12.5%), post-operative intestinal obstruction (7%), multiple congenital anomalies (7%), intractable convulsions (6.5%).
 Conclusion: This study indicated that neonatal mortality represented the highest portion of all deaths reported at Benghazi children hospital during the study period. Lung diseases of prematurity was found to be the top leading cause followed by sepsis then congenital heart diseases. Male showed marginal predominance over female in this study. More than one third of deceased neonates were preterm.

Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) for Libyan Children in Benghazi: An ep- idemiological survey on school children in Benghazi city

Background: malocclusion is a common oral health problem that can affect the psychosocial well-being in thelong term. Many indices were developed to prioritize patients so that those who have the greatest need receivetreatment. Objectives: this study was aimed to assess the orthodontic treatment need of Libyan children using
 index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN). Methods: Total of 511 students (260 females, 251 males) consti-tuted the sample, which was randomly selected from age group of 12-14 years in Benghazi public schools. The
 dental health component (DHC) of IOTN was applied to assess orthodontic need, whereas the aesthetic com-ponents (AC) of IOTN along with a questionnaire were used to evaluate participants’ perception towards their
 own orthodontic status. Results: the majority of participants (79. 5%) displayed smile satisfaction, with gen-der difference (p<0. 05). Satisfaction with teeth appearance was showed by 39. 7% of the respondents while
 60. 3% of the participants were dissatisfied, owing dissatisfaction to various reasons such as color of their teeth(9%) and teeth arrangement (34. 8%). More than half of respondents (55%) considered well arrangement ofteeth is crucial for overall facial appearance. According to ac there was a strong agreement between researcherand respondents in treatment need. The researcher found 10% were definitely needed treatment against 6. 2%found by self-perceived need; the researcher categorized 71.4% of the respondents as no treatment needagainst 71. 4% found by self-perceived need.Conclusions: most of the children in Benghazi`s public schools are satisfied with teeth appearance. Most of thepublic schools children in Benghazi need no/slight orthodontic treatment need. Age, gender and socioeconomicwere not influencing factors affecting orthodontic treatment need among Libyan children in Benghazi.

Assessment of patient safety culture in benghazi children's hospital from the viewpoint of nursing staff

Assessment of patient safety culture in benghazi children's hospital from the viewpoint of nursing staff