Children In Western Region Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior of Parents Regarding Early Childhood Caries Prevention of Preschool Children in Western Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The knowledge and beliefs of parents have an impact on their children's general and oral health. The objective of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude, and behavior of parents and identify possible associated factors of early childhood caries (ECC) in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Parents aged 18 and older were invited to complete a self-administered, validated questionnaire. Questions covered demographics, knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding ECC etiology and prevention. Of the 644 parents who completed the questionnaire, 51.4% were not aware of the early signs of tooth decay, such as white lines. Pain and trauma were reported as the major reasons for a child to visit a dentist (42.4%). Only 37% of parents were aware of the importance of fissure sealant, and only 23% knew how it is applied. Compared with mothers, fathers were significantly less aware of hidden sugar and the relation between the frequency of consuming breast milk or bottled milk and caries development (p = 0.001). Similarly, fathers were more likely to believe that children could achieve effective teeth cleaning without parental assistance (p = 0.001). Preventive guidance should be provided by oral healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia to improve parents' knowledge of ECC prevention.

Parents’ awareness on iron deficiency anemia in children in western region, Saudi Arabia

Parents’ awareness on iron deficiency anemia in children in western region, Saudi Arabia

Causes of hospitalization in sickle cell diseased children in western region of Saudi Arabia. A single center study.

Objectives:To highlight the causes of hospitalization among sickle cell diseased (SCD) children in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia.Methods:A retrospective study conducted at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. A data of 739 SCD children admitted to the hematology/oncology unit between October 2010 and September 2015 were collected. The collected data were analyzed using an independent t test and a Chi square test as appropriate.Results:Approximately 49% of the studied children were presented by acute painful crisis. Acute chest syndrome was reported in 20.9%. Infection was the cause of admission in 17.5%, and acute anemia was reported in 8.1% of the studied patients. No significant difference of the reported clinical manifestations by patients’ gender. Children aged <12 years showed significantly high frequency of acute chest syndrome (ACS) (26.5%), while acute painful crisis (66.4%) was significantly more frequent among children aged ≥12 years.Conclusion:This study revealed high rate of hospitalization of SCD children because of acute painful crisis, ACS, infection, and anemia. These admissions causes could potentially be continuously assessed to minimize the rate of hospitalization.

Diverse etiology of hyperlipidemia among hospitalized children in Western region of Saudi Arabia

[No Abstract Available].

Diverse etiology of hyperlipidemia among hospitalized children in Western region of Saudi Arabia.

Objectives:To determine the various etiologies of primary and secondary hyperlipidemia among children visiting the pediatric endocrine clinic.Methods:This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, cohort study conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 2010 to 2015 that included 253 children aged from birth to 12 years old. Data were obtained by reviewing medical reports of patients who presented with hyperlipidemia to the clinic, and their laboratory investigation results using KAUH electronic “Phoenix” system.Results:Of the 253 children who were reviewed, those who have shown to have abnormal lipid metabolism with nephrotic syndrome were 35.6%, diabetes mellitus 17.8%, primary/idiopathic hyperlipidemia 19.4%, hypothyroidism 7.1%, obesity 4.3%, metabolic syndrome 2.8%, chronic liver disease 2% and chronic renal failure 1.2%. The body mass index relative to gender and age in this group of children showed that 23.2% were underweight, 38.4% were normal weight, 8.9% were overweight, and 29.5% were obese.Conclusion:The highest prevalence of hyperlipidemia was in nephrotic syndrome, followed by primary/idiopathic hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus.

Clinical Features, Management and Outcome of Snake Bite in Children in Manipal Teaching Hospital

Background: Snake bite is a widely distributed and neglected condition with a significant mortality. Medically significant snakes are: Elapidae, which are mainly neurotoxic and Viperidae, which are hemotoxic. Most studies on snake bites are done in Terai belt of Nepal and this is a first study of its kind in children in western region of Nepal. Methods: This was a 7 year retrospective study in Pediatric unit of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. Relevant data from all cases of snake bite in children up to 18 years of age was collected in a structured proforma and analyzed. Results: Among the 39 cases of Snake bites; it was more in boys (M: F=1.16:1), from rural areas (62%) and was more common during monsoon (64%). The commonest site of bite was foot (64%). Snakes were identifiable in only 23% of the cases. Local swelling (77%) and pain (74%) were common clinical features. Coagulation profile was deranged in 80% of the patients, hematuria was observed in 13% patients and 15% patients had thrombocytopenia. Most of the snakes were hemotoxic (77%) and only 1 case (2.5%) was neurotoxic. Only 44% of the patients received polyvalent anti-snake venom and blood products were required in 51% of the patients. Most patients improved (75%) and the case fatality rate was 2.5%. Conclusion: Most snakes found in mountainous region of Nepal are hemotoxic and lead to deranged coagulation profile. Mortality is low in hemotoxic as compared to neurotoxic envenomations. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 02 | Number 02 | July-December 2013 | Page 119-124 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i2.8954