Awareness of quantity of ORS and Zinc among mothers of under five children with diarrhoea at a tertiary care Centre Lahore.

OBJECTIVE: To assess mothers' knowledge about the quantity of oral rehydration salt and zinc in the management of diarrhoea. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2019 at The Children's Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised mothers accompanying children aged <5 years admitted with diarrhoea complaints. Data was collected regarding demographics and mothers' awareness of signs of dehydration in diarrhoea, familiarity with the term oral rehydration salt, its correct preparation and administration and zinc supplementation. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 334 mothers interviewed, 154(46%) were able to identify the signs of dehydration. Maternal awareness regarding use of oral rehydration salt and zinc in diarrhoea were significantly associated with maternal education and socioeconomic status (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to generate awareness among mothers about the use of oral rehydration salt and zinc in diarrhoea.

Complementary feeding practices among mothers of children aged six months to two years at Children's hospital Lahore.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse complimentary feeding practices among mothers of infants. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December, 2015, at The Children's Hospital, Lahore, Pkistan, and comprised children aged 6-24 months. Data was collected regarding demographic profile, breast-feeding, initiation and adequacy of complementary feeding, maternal education and father's monthly income. Children's growth measurements were plotted using the World Health Organisation growth charts. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 202 children, 103(51%) were boys. The overall mean age was 14± 5 months. Among the mothers, 133(66%) were literate and 121 (60%) belonged to poor social class. Of the children, 145(72%) were exclusively breast-fed till 6 months of age. Breast-feed was not given in 51(25%) cases. Weaning age was appropriate in 88(44%) children. Overall, 53(26%) children were under-nourished. Lower social class, delayed initiation and inadequate amount of complementary feeding was significantly associated with poor nutritional status (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Weaning practices were incorrect in terms of amount and frequency. Children aged 13-18 months belonging to lower social class and having delayed and inadequate complimentary feeding were more malnourished.

Frequency of risk factors, vaccination status and outcome of tetanus in children at the Children's Hospital Lahore.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of risk factors, vaccination status and outcome of tetanus in children beyond neonatal age at a tertiary care centre. METHODS: The prospective observational study was conducted at The Children's Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from January 2012 to December 2014, and comprised children aged between 1 month and 15 years of either gender admitted with diagnosis of tetanus. Variables recorded included age, gender, vaccination status in terms of number of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine doses received per routine infant immunisation and booster doses of tetanus toxoid, risk factors as trauma, ear discharge, ear prick and duration of hospitalisation and outcome. Data was analysed using SPSS 16. RESULTS: Of the 74 patients, there were 47(63.5%) males and 27(36.5%) females. Overall, the mean age was 6.56+3.15 years 50(67%) were unvaccinated, none (0%) had received booster dose and posttrauma immune prophylaxis. Besides, trauma was the most common risk factor in 33(44.6%) cases followed by ear discharge 15 (20.3%) and ear/nose prick 2(2.7%), while the risk factor was unknown in 24(32.4%) cases. Mean duration of hospitalisation was 14.35±11.65. Mortality rate 16(21.6%) was significantly associated with shorter duration of stay (p<0.001). Mortality was high among unvaccinated children compared to vaccinated children (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination coverage was found to be inadequate and post-trauma immune prophylaxis had been ignored..