Individual- and community-level predictors of healthcare-seeking behaviour for acute respiratory tract infections among children under five in 29 low-and middle-income countries: a multilevel analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the individual- and community-level determinants of mothers' healthcare-seeking behaviour for children under the age of 5 years with acute respiratory infection (ARI) symptoms in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). STUDY DESIGN: Nationally representative Demographic and Health Survey datasets from 29 LMICs were used. METHODS: The study included 16,893 children aged under 5 years with ARI symptoms in the 2 weeks prior to the survey. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to examine associations between individual- and community-level factors with health-seeking behaviour for ARIs. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported as a measure of association. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of healthcare-seeking behaviour for ARIs among children under 5 years in LMICs was 58.83% (95% CI: 58.08, 59.57). Findings showed that mothers with primary or higher education (AOR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.33), and those residing in rich households (AOR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.48), attending antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.31, 1.79) and delivering at a healthcare facility (AOR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.16, 1.41) were more likely to seek healthcare for ARIs. A higher level of community maternal education (AOR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.24, 1.68) was positively associated with seeking healthcare for ARIs, while a higher level of community poverty (AOR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.96) was negatively associated with healthcare seeking for ARIs. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that mothers' healthcare-seeking behaviour for ARIs was closely linked to modifiable risk factors, including maternal education, household wealth, use of maternal health services (e.g., ANC), as well as community poverty and literacy levels. Future interventions should consider these modifiable risk factors when developing strategies to improve child health outcomes in LMICs.

The response to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and to dihydrotachysterol in adult-onset hypophosphataemic osteomalacia.

The biochemical changes observed in a patient with adult-onset hypophosphataemic osteomalacia after three weeks treatment with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2D3) followed by dihydrotachysterol (DHT) are reported. The treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3 resulted in restoration of intestinal phosphate absorption to normal with a small rise in plasma phosphate concentration; there was no significant change in tubular reabsorption of phosphate. The tubular reabsorption of bicarbonate, which was initially low, returned almost into the normal range with normalisation of plasma bicarbonate concentration. Aminoaciduria decreased. There were no changes in plasma or urinary calcium but immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (i-PTH) which was initially elevated fell but still remained above the normal range. These changes were maintained after replacing the 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment with dihydrotachysterol (DHT).

Long-term effects of small doses of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in renal osteodystrophy.

An oral dose of 0.5 microgram of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-[OH]2D3) and 4 g of calcium carbonate was given daily to two dialysed patients and three undialysed patients in chronic renal failure with renal osteodystrophy. Treatment was given for 4-16 months. Intestinal calcium absorption became normal in all five patients. Plasma alkaline phosphatase, hydroxyproline, and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone were considerably reduced in all of the patients and in four of them these values were restored to normal. Bone histology was improved in all patients after treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3. As well as a dramatic improvement in bone mineralisation, there was remodeling of trabecular architecture and a decrease in fibrosis in patients with initial parathyroid overactivity.

Dissociation of absorptions of calcium and phosphate after successful cadaveric renal transplantation.

Calcium and phosphate absorptions were studied by radiotracer techniques in 30 patients after successful cadaveric renal transplantation, and results were compared with those in a group of normal subjects and in groups of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Both calcium and phosphate absorptions were impared in patients with CRF, including those receiving haemodialysis. Abnormalities of calcium absorption, however, seemed to occur earlier in the course of advanced renal failure than abnormalities in phosphate absorption. Calcium absorption improved dramatically after successful renal transplantation, while phosphate absorption remained the same. A dissociation between calcium and phosphate absorptions is not often seen clinically, and the mechanisms for it are unknown. Phosphate malabsorption may be a further contributing factor in the development of persistent hypophosphataemia after transplantation.

Persistent hypophosphataemia and osteomalacia in dialysis patients not on oral phosphate-binders: Response to dihydrotachysterol therapy.

Four patients who had been on regular haemodialysis for periods of 3 1/2 to 7 years became hypophosphataemic with plasma-phosphate concentrations of 2.5 mg/dl or less before dialysis. None of them had been taking oral phosphate-binders for 2 years or more. Histologically all the patients had an excess of osteoid on bone biopsy. Intestinal absorption of phosphate and calcium was impaired, despite normal or high serum-25-hydroxycholecaliferol concentrations. Treatment with oral dihydrotachysterol resulted in corrections of the phosphate malabsorption and increases in plasma-phosphate concentration. The initial low plasma-phosphate values in these patients before dialysis probably reflected a state of phosphate depletion caused by the combination of malabsorption, loss during dialysis, and a low dietary intake.