ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate vitamin D deficiency in children with iron-deficiency anaemia, and to identify the risk factors for such deficiency. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Children's Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, from October 2021 to March 2022, and comprised children aged 1-5 years who had been diagnosed with iron-deficiency anaemia. Quantitative variables, like age, height, weight, gender, socioeconomic status and sibling status, were controlled by stratification. Data was compared to assess the risk factors of vitamin D deficiency among the subjects. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: Of the 236 children with iron-deficiency anaemia, 159(67.5%) also had vitamin D deficiency; 95(59%) girls and 65(41%) boys. Overall, 104(65.4%) subjects were aged 4-5 years and 55(34.6%) were aged 1-3 years. Vitamin D deficiency had significant association with female gender, older age, height and weight <5th centiles, educated parents, low to middle socioeconomic status, urban residence and higher number of siblings (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children with iron-deficiency anaemia was found to be high.
Subject(s)
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency , Vitamin D Deficiency , Humans , Vitamin D Deficiency/epidemiology , Vitamin D Deficiency/complications , Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/epidemiology , Female , Male , Child, Preschool , Pakistan/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Infant , Risk Factors , Prevalence , Sex Factors , Body Height , Age Factors , Body Weight , Educational Status , Social Class , SiblingsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of patient reminder calls on improvement of routine vaccination coverage. METHODS: This prospective, interventional study was conducted at Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, from December 2014 to August 2016, and comprised babies enrolled at the time of 1st vaccination. Babies who were given bacillus Calmette-Guérin, oral polio vaccine were included. Mobile phone numbers of parents were noted. The 1st reminder call was given after 7 days if a baby did not report on the scheduled date. Similarly, 2nd and 3rd reminder calls were made after waiting for 7 days each time in case of non-reporting. Record of reporting and reminder calls was reviewed daily till all the enrolled babies crossed 15 months of age (scheduled time for 2nd dose of measles) plus 4 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 150 babies were enrolled at the time of 1st vaccination. Reporting without call within 01 week of scheduled date ranged from 52(34.66%) to 99(66%) for different vaccines. The 1st reminder call showed maximum improvement in reporting rate. The range of vaccination rate reached from 91(60.66%) to 132(88%). The 2nd call improved coverage rate range from 108(71.99%) to 140(93.33%). The 3rd call improved coverage rate from 113(75.32%) to 144(96%). Overall coverage rate achieved ranged from 112.5(75%) to 144(96%). CONCLUSIONS: Patient reminder calls showed significant effect in improvement of vaccination coverage rate of all antigens.
Subject(s)
Immunization Programs/methods , Reminder Systems/statistics & numerical data , Vaccination Coverage/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Infant , Pakistan , Parents , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of acute bacterial meningitis in children with first episode of febrile seizures. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Polyclinic, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan, from December 2012 to August 2013, and comprised patients with first episode of fever and seizure. SPSS 10 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the157 patients, 12(7.6%) were diagnosed to have acute bacterial meningitis with 5(41.6%) in the age group of 6-12 months, 4(33.3%) in 13-18 months and 3(25%) in the age group of 19-60 months. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians evaluating children after a febrile seizure should direct their attention toward identifying the cause of the child's fever.
