The burdens attributable to primary headache disorders in children and adolescents in Iran: estimates from a schools-based study.

BACKGROUND: We recently found headache disorders to be highly prevalent among children (aged 6-11 years) and adolescents (aged 12-17) in Iran (gender- and age-adjusted 1-year prevalences: migraine 25.2%, tension-type headache 12.7%, undifferentiated headache [UdH] 22.1%, probable medication-overuse headache [pMOH] 1.1%, other headache on ≥ 15 days/month [H15+] 3.0%). Here we report on the headache-attributed burden, taking evidence from the same study. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, following the generic protocol for the global schools-based study led by the Global Campaign against Headache, we administered the child and adolescent versions of the Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) structured questionnaire in 121 schools, purposively selected to reflect the country's diversities. Pupils self-completed these in class, under supervision. Headache diagnostic questions were based on ICHD-3 criteria but for the inclusion of UdH (defined as mild headache with usual duration < 1 h). Burden enquiry was across multiple domains. RESULTS: The analysed sample (N = 3,244) included 1,308 (40.3%) children and 1,936 (59.7%) adolescents (1,531 [47.2%] male, 1,713 [52.8%] female). The non-participating proportion was 3.4%. Mean headache frequency was 3.9 days/4 weeks, and mean duration 1.8 h. Estimated mean proportion of time in ictal state was 1.1% (1.4% for migraine, 16.5% for pMOH). Symptomatic medication was consumed on a mean of 1.6 days/4 weeks. Lost school time averaged 0.4 days/4 weeks overall (2%, assuming a 5-day week), but was eleven-fold higher (4.3 days; 22%) for pMOH. For most headache types, days of reported limited activity were several-fold more than days lost from school (45% for pMOH, 25% for other H15+). Almost one in 12 parents (7.9%) missed work at least once in 4 weeks because of their son's or daughter's headache. Emotional impact and quality-of-life scores reflected these measures of burden. CONCLUSIONS: Headache, common in children and adolescents in Iran, is associated with symptom burdens that may be onerous for some but not for most. However, there are substantial consequential burdens, particularly for the 1.1% with pMOH and the 3.0% with other H15+, who suffer educational disturbances and potentially major life impairments. These findings are of importance to educational and health policies in Iran.

Assessment of the Relationship between Body Mass Index and Gross Motor Development in Children.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a growing epidemic and public health problem in children. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the gross motor development. MATERIALS & METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2012-13 in Gorgan, northern Iran, the gross motor development of 90 children 3-5 yr old in three groups of lean, normal and obese/overweight were evaluated by the ages and stages questionnaires (ASQ) and Denver 2 scale. RESULTS: Totally, 90 children were enrolled and their developmental level was assessed with two ASQ and Denver II indices. The mean and standard deviation of the ASQ scores of the children was 53.11± 11.06 and based on Denver index, 9 children (10%) were at developmental delay status, 15 (16.7%) in the caution conditions, and 53 (58.9%) at normal developmental status. The developmental level was lower in obese/overweight group comparing with other groups according to both Denver and ASQ and there was a significant difference between obese/overweight group and normal group based in Denver and ASQ, respectively. There was no significant difference between underweight and normal and obese and underweight groups. CONCLUSION: Overweight and obesity could affect on the gross motor development.

Trace elements in febrile seizure compared to febrile children admitted to an academic hospital in iran, 2011.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pathogenesis of Febrile Convulsion (FC) is unknown but some elements and genetic predispositions have been considered in the top list. This case-control study was designed to compare some trace elements in paediatrics who were admitted with FC and those in febrile ones without seizure attacks at an academic hospital in northeast of Iran. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This case-control study was done from June 2010 to July 2011 on 160 paediatrics (6-months to 5-years old) who were diagnosed with FC and on 160 age-matched febrile children as control group. Data on the age, gender, past history of fever and convulsion, age at the first episode of seizure and family history of FC were gathered by using a designed checklist. Complete Blood Count (CBC), serum iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), zinc, magnesium and calcium were tested after taking informed consents from the parents. Serum levels of trace elements were measured by a photometric method. Independent t-test or non-parametric Mann-Whitney test were used to compare means between two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the cases and controls with regards to the gender or age. TIBC and magnesium were lower in FC, but calcium, iron and zinc were higher in FC as compared to those in the other group (not significant). CONCLUSIONS: So, it could be said that deficiency of trace elements was not significantly related to febrile convulsion in our study and it seemed that these tests were not necessary in FC cases. But further investigations on other trace elements are needed.