Is undernutrition a problem among Turkish school children?: Which factors have an influence on it?

Undernutrition is a frequent manifestation and an important health problem. The aim of this study was to analyse the variables of nutritional status among primary school children and to determine the risk factors associated with it. The study group was composed of 1576 students between 6 and 16 years of age. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting were calculated according to WHO recommended cut-off points to define undernutrition. Chi-square tests, logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of undernutrition and the sociodemographic factors. The overall prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting were found as 5.7, 4.6 and 1.0%, respectively. There were significant relationships between underweight and age, sex, number of family members, monthly family income. But, a significant correlation was found only between stunting and age. No correlation was found between wasting and sociodemographic factors. Undernutrition is still a common problem among primary school children in Istanbul. Identification of risk factors is essential for prevention of undernutrition.

Prevalence of anemia and the risk factors among schoolchildren in Istanbul.

Anemia is a frequent manifestation and an important health problem. The aim of this study was to found the prevalence of anemia among primary schoolchildren and determine the risk factors associated with anemia. The study group was composed of 1531 students between 6 and 16 years old from 14 primary schools located in seven different regions of Istanbul. Data were collected via a questionnaire filled out by parents. For all students, a complete blood cell count detected by an automated cell counter and anemia prevalence was determined according to Dallman criteria. The overall prevalence of anemia was found to be 27.6 per cent. There was no significant relationship between the prevalence of anemia and the students' age, gender, parents' educational level and employment, and monthly family income by logistic regression analysis. Only the number of family members and malnutrition were risk factors for anemia. Today, anemia is a common problem among primary schoolchildren in Istanbul. Identification of the risk factors is essential for the prevention of anemia.

Enuresis: prevalence, risk factors and urinary pathology among school children in Istanbul, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Enuresis is a common problem among children and adolescents, and can lead to important social and psychological disturbances. The aim of the present study was to establish the prevalence of enuresis among school children and determine the risk factors associated with this disorder. METHODS: A cross sectional population-based study was conducted in 1576 children. The pupils enrolled in the study were chosen randomly from 14 primary schools located in seven different regions of Istanbul. Data were collected via a questionnaire completed by parents. Enuretic children were invited to the pediatric nephrology outpatient clinic of Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey. A detailed history was taken, physical and ultrasonographic examinations, urinalysis and urine culture were performed. The relationship between the prevalence of enuresis and the patients' age, gender, region, the parental educational level and employment status, number of family members, and the family's monthly income were tested by means of chi(2 ) and logistic regression analysis. The comparison between the two enuretic groups (monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis group vs diurnal enuresis only and diurnal-nocturnal enuresis group) regarding the sociodemographic factors were tested with the chi(2) test and P < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The study group was composed of 1576 school children aged between 6 and 16 years. The overall prevalence of enuresis was 12.4%. When the chi(2) test was used, a significant relationship was found between the prevalence of enuresis and age, educational level of the father, the family's monthly income, and number of family members. However, when logistic regression analysis was applied, there was a statistically significant relationship only between enuresis, and age and number of family members. In the whole group, monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna was found to be more common in boys. When the two enuretic children groups (monosymptomatic nocturnal, diurnal only and nocturnal-diurnal enuretics) were compared with each other regarding gender, parental educational and employment status, and number of family members, statistically significant differences were found. Both maternal and the paternal low educational status were found to be associated with monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna. Likewise, monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna was found to be more common in the children of the unemployed mothers, while diurnal enuresis was more common in the children of unemployed fathers. Nocturnal enuresis was found to be associated with large families. No statistically significant difference was demonstrated between the two groups of enuretics regarding age and family income levels. The rate of urinary abnormalities in the whole group was 7.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Enuresis is a common problem among school children and associated urinary abnormalities are not uncommon. Identification of children at risk is an essential first step before choosing the individualized management for each enuretic child.

Prevalence and risk factors of iodine deficiency among schoolchildren.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the prevalence of iodine deficiency among schoolchildren and the risk factors influencing it. One thousand five hundred and seventy-three schoolchildren were chosen from 14 schools in seven different regions in Istanbul. After all data relating to sociodemographic factors and the use of iodized salt were recorded, iodine contents of urine samples were determined by the Sandell Kolthoff reaction. Chi-squared and multiple regression analysis were used for the investigation of the correlation between iodine deficiency and risk factors. The prevalence of goitre (> or = 2 grade) was 1.9 per cent. The median urine iodine level was in the normal range (10.5 microg/dl). In 46.2 per cent of the students the urine iodine levels were below 10 microg/dl and 13.9 per cent of the students had urine iodine levels below 5 microg/dl. The prevalence of iodine deficiency was significantly higher in younger (< or = 10 years) children, in children with less educated mothers and fathers, and with poorer and more crowded families (p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). The rate of iodine deficiency was significantly higher in females than in males and also higher in children who lived on the European side of Istanbul than on the Anatolian side of Istanbul (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively). The rate of use of iodized salt was 44.4 per cent and the iodine deficiency rate was not affected by the use of iodized salt (p > 0.05). Although the median urine iodine level was in the normal range, in 46.2 per cent of the students urine iodine levels were low (< 10 microg/dl). As there seems to be no effect from the use of iodized salt in iodine deficiency, the use of a more stable potassium iodate for the fortification of salt may be required.

Tubular functions in familial Mediterranean fever.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate renal tubular function in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D glucosaminidase (U-NAG, beta2-microglobulin (U-beta2M) and microalbumin (Ua) levels were measured in children with different clinical stages of FMF (58 patients with FMF, 9 patients with amyloidosis secondary to (FMF). Control groups were healthy children (n=21), children with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (n=21) and with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) (n=18). U-NAG was significantly increased in patients with a recent diagnosis of FMF compared to patients with FMF on colchicine and to healthy controls. In patients with recently diagnosed FMF, a marked decrease in U-NAG, U-beta2M and Ua were determined after three months on colchicine therapy. On the other hand, U-NAG and Ubeta2M levels were increased in patients with FMF during attacks and then decreased in the post-attack period. U-beta2M in patients with FMF during attacks was significantly different from patients with URTI. Finally, U-NAG and U-beta2M were increased significantly in patients with FMF-amyloidosis and SSNS when compared with other FMF groups and healthy controls, respectively. In conclusion, the high U-NAG value in newly diagnosed patients compared to that of patients taking colchicine and the decline of U-NAG and U-beta2M levels after attack to the levels observed in colchicine users (without a significant change in Ua value) suggest that the renal injury early in the course of FMF might be dominantly at the level of the tubuli.