Prevalence of iron deficiency in Saudi children from birth to 15 months of age

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency among healthy Saudi children from birth to 15 months of age. The groups studied were: newborns, 3-4 months, 5-6 months, 7-8 months, 9-10 months and 12-15 months of age. The age groups were dictated by the vaccination schedule. Serum ferritin was measured and transferrin saturation calculated in each subject. The lower limits of normal were taken as a transferrin saturation of less than 10% and a serum ferritin of less than 12 micrograms/l. A total of 333 serum samples was adequate for analysis. None of the newborns or the 3-4-month-old infants had evidence of iron deficiency. At 5-6 months only 3.3% of subjects had iron deficiency. In the subsequent older age groups the prevalence of iron deficiency increased significantly with age from 9.3% to 12.7% and reached 14.5% in the oldest age group. Screening for iron deficiency in children attending well-baby clinics and hospitals at ages of 12-15 months is recommended.     

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in preschool children aged 3 months to 5 years.

The authors describe a prospective study of 420 patients aged 3 months to 5 years who presented to a primary pediatric clinic owing to fever > or = 38 degrees C and signs of pharyngitis and were not treated with antibiotics in the preceding week. Throat cultures and blood antistreptolysin O (ASO) titers were examined. In group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS)-positive patients, a second ASO sample was obtained 2-3 weeks later. Positive throat cultures to GABHS were found in 61 of 415 patients (14.7%) (five patients were lost to follow-up). Thirty-three of these (54.1% of the culture-positive group and 8% of the total study group) had the streptococcal infection with elevated ASO titers. The incidence of both true infection and carrier state gradually increased with age. Nevertheless, true streptococcal pharyngitis was found even in patients younger than 1 year and its percentage related to carriers did not increase with age and was > or = 50% in all age groups up to 4 years. The authors conclude that true GABHS pharyngitis may present in the first year of life.     

Antibody response to pneumococcal vaccine in children aged 5 to 15 years

The type-specific antibody response of 99 healthy children, aged 5 to 15 years, to a 14-valent pneumococcal vaccine was determined and analyzed according to age at the time of vaccination. The response to the majority of the serotypes, including the important "pediatric" types 6A, 18C, and 19F, appeared to plateau in the 8- to 10-year-old age group, whereas for types 14 and 23F, which are also important in children, the response continued to improve with age to ages 13 to 15 years. The antibody response of a group of 23 children, aged 5 to 15 years, with various hematologic disorders (12 of whom had undergone splenectomy) was also determined and compared with that of the healthy children. For all serotypes the antibody response was similar in the two groups.     

中国7个月～7岁儿童铁缺乏症流行病学的调查研究

目的　调查我国儿童铁减少 (ID)、缺铁性贫血 (IDA)及铁缺乏症患病率。方法　采用分层抽样的方法 ,以全国 15个省 ,2 6个市县为调查点 ,随机抽取 9118名 7个月～ 7岁儿童为调查对象 ,检测末梢血血红蛋白 (Hb)、锌原卟啉 (ZPP)、血清铁蛋白 (SF)等指标。结果　 7个月～ 7岁儿童ID32 5 %、IDA 7 8% ;7～ 12个月ID 4 4 7%、IDA 2 0 8% ;13～ 36个月ID 35 9%、IDA 7 8% ;37个月～ 7岁ID 2 6 5 %、IDA 3 5 %。不同年龄组儿童ID、IDA、铁缺乏症患病率由高到低依次为 7～ 12个月 (婴儿组 ) ,13～ 36个月 (幼儿组 ) ,37个月～ 7岁 (学前组 ) ,各年龄组差异有显著意义 (P <0 0 1)。农村婴儿组ID 35 8%、IDA 30 1%、Hb ( 98 8± 9 1)g/L ;城市婴儿组ID 4 8 1%、IDA 16 8%、Hb ( 10 1 0± 6 8)g/L。农村幼儿组ID 31 0 %、IDA 15 5 %、Hb ( 98 2± 10 5 )g/L ;城市幼儿组ID 38 0 %、IDA 4 4 %、Hb( 10 2 8± 6 9)g/L。农村学前儿童组ID 2 7 6 %、IDA 6 3%、Hb( 10 1 2± 8 6 )g/L ;城市学前儿童组ID2 6 0 %、IDA 1 9%、Hb( 10 4 2± 4 4 )g/L。农村 7个月～ 7岁儿童铁缺乏症患病率 4 2 0 % ,城市 7个月～ 7岁儿童铁缺乏症患病率 39 5 % (P <0 0 1)。城市婴儿和幼儿ID患病率显著高于农村 (P <0     

长沙市3～12岁儿童打鼾家庭相关因素调查

目的 调查长沙市3～12岁儿童打鼾发生情况并分析相关影响因素.方法 对长沙市5个行政辖区2 706名3～12岁儿童采用分层随机抽样方法 发放问卷调查.结果 长沙市3～12岁儿童打鼾发生率为7.1%,其中男童8.6%,女童5.6%,男女性别差异有统计学意义(X2=9.582,P<0.05);年龄3～5岁组打鼾发生率为9.5%,6～8岁组为7.7%,9～12岁组为3.7%,不同年龄组间差异有统计学意义(X2=20.487.P<0.01);睡眠姿势侧卧位组、仰卧位组、俯卧位组打鼾发生率分别为5.9%、6.7%、9.9%,差异有统计学意义(X2=11.905,P<0.05);在15 min内入睡儿童打鼾发生率为5.7%,>15 min组打鼾发生率为8.7%,两组差异有统计学意义(X2=9.582,P<0.05);睡眠中常醒和无常醒儿童打鼾发生率分别为11.5%、6.1%,两组间比较差异有统计学意义(X2=20.487,P<0.01);父亲打鼾组儿童打鼾发生率为9.2%,父亲无打鼾组为4.5%;母亲打鼾组儿童打鼾发生率为13.8%,母亲无打鼾组为5.9%,父亲、母亲打鼾和不打鼾组间儿童打鼾发生率差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01).结论 长沙市3～12岁儿童打鼾发生率为7.1%,男童打鼾发生率比女童高.父母亲打鼾遗传因素、睡姿对儿童打鼾发生率有一定影响.     

Comparison of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in children between 3 months and 2 years versus 2–5 years

It has been reported that infantile idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has different clinical features than ITP seen in older ages and classification of bleeding sites and grading of bleeding severity can be used in determining the risk of bleeding. In this study, patients with ITP were divided into two groups according to age (<2 years and 2–5 years). The clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment modalities, rate of response and chronicity, bleeding sites, grades of bleeding were compared between each group. No significant differences were established. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:656–658. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Longitudinal study of anthropometric measurements in Parisian children aged ten months to 18 years]

AIM: To describe growth parameters in children followed longitudinally from 10 months of age to 18 years and to compare these data with reference values obtain in children born 30 years earlier. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A follow study started in 1985 in Paris Health Centres at the ages of I 0 months, 2 and 4 years and subsequently at home every 2 years. Anthropometric data were compared with reference values derived from the French sample of the International Longitudinal Growth study which started in 1953-59. RESULTS: As compared to the reference values, children were taller. At the age of 18 years, in boys, height increase was 5.6 cm. This difference appeared as early as at the age of 12 years. Height increase in girls was 1.6 cm, but this difference was greater at 12. Thereafter, height gain was smaller than 30 years before. The Skélique index was greater due to longer leg length. Fat mass was higher and displayed a more android pattern. A higher prevalence of overweight appeared from the age of 8 years. CONCLUSION: Nowadays, growth processes seem unfavourable as compared to 30 years earlier. Fast growth, long leg length, android body fat distribution and overweight are associated with risk factors of various pathologies(cardiovascular diseases and cancer). Factors promoting these changes over time deserve to be explored more fully.     

Mastitis in children from birth to 17 years

Twenty-two cases of mastitis were evaluated between 1995 and 2003. Nine of the children were younger than 2 months of age, and 12 were older than 8 years of age. Girls accounted for 82% of the cases. Seven of the infections were true abscesses. Pathogens included Staphylococcus aureus in 5, Gram-negative bacilli in 3, group A Streptococcus in 1 and enterococcus in 1. These data suggest that mastitis in children occurs in 2 distinct age groups, neonates and pubescent/postpubescent; however, the clinical disease is similar in both populations.     

Peak flow rate in normal Indonesian children aged 8 to 15 years.

Although normal values for peak flow rates have been available for Caucasian children and Indonesian adults for several years, similar reliable standard values are not available for Indonesian children. It is the objective of this study to assess the measurements of peak flow rate obtained from a sample of healthy Indonesian school children in Denpasar aged 8 to 15 years. The relationship between peak flow rate (PFR), age, weight and height was studied in 304 male and 254 female children ranging from 8-15 years of age at 2 primary and junior high schools in Denpasar. Strict criteria of "normality" were employed in the selection of the subjects. Measurements were taken with the subject standing and the highest value of three peak expiratory rate manouvers was recorded. Regression analysis was used to calculate the predicted normal value of PFR and also to assess the relationship of PFR to age and weight. The results are recorded in a normogram. Possible cause of the differences between our findings and those of other authors are discussed. In conclusion the author is of the opinion that the normogram (Godfrey) supplied with the Mini Wright apparatus can be used in predicting normal values of PFR for Indonesian children.     

Iron status in presumably healthy children 10 months, 2 years and 4 years of age

Iron status was assessed using a combination of several biochemical indicators (serum ferritin, erythrocyte protoporphyrin, serum iron, MCV, hemoglobin) in 3,676 apparently healthy children. Children who were 10 months, 2 years and 4 years of age were selected from the population undergoing a free medical check up in a Paris Child Health Center. The prevalence of iron deficiency in children of parents from continental France was 29% in the 10 month olds, 13% in the 2 year olds and 7% in those who were 4 years of age. Corresponding figures in children born of immigrant parents were 50%, 44% and 15% respectively. Iron deficiency anemia was found in 8% of 10 month olds from continental France versus 23% in the other group. Children born of parents from the South Sahara were found to be at high risk for iron deficiency.