Effect of maternal anemia on the status of iron stores in infants: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women may affect the iron reserves of their infants and lead to anemia later. The objective of the study was to compare hemoglobin and iron store status of infants born to anemic and non-anemic mothers and to determine any correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics of a Teaching hospital after obtaining ethical approval and written informed consent from all participants. Total 180 mother-infant pairs were enrolled in the study were divided into two groups; Group I: 90 term infants born to anemic mothers (Hb <11 g/dl), Group II: 90 term infants born to non-anemic mothers (Hb >11 g/dl). Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were assessed in cord blood at birth and at 14 weeks after birth in the infants of both groups. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0; Chi-square test and t-test were applied to test for statistical significance. RESULTS: The final sample size was 85 for Group I and 78 for Group II. For Group I, mean hemoglobin and ferritin levels in the cord blood of infants at birth were 16.33 ± 1.19 and 135.40 ± 25.94, respectively. For Group II, Mean hemoglobin and ferritin levels in the cord blood of infants at birth were 17.62 ± 1.35 and 160.45 ± 28.50, respectively; differences were statistically significant. At 14 weeks, the mean Hb and ferritin was 11.24 ± 1.03 and 55.92 ± 10.44 in Group I and 13.18 ± 0.82 and 63.56 ± 10.15 in Group II; the differences were statistically significant. A significant correlation between maternal and infant hemoglobin and ferritin levels was observed at birth and 14 weeks after birth. CONCLUSION: Maternal iron deficiency may have an effect on the iron status of their infants. Thus, timely appropriate interventions are necessary.

Effect of simultaneous administration of oral polio vaccine on local reaction of BCG vaccine in term infants.

OBJECTIVE: To study local reaction and to ascertain timing of scar formation in infants after BCG vaccination at birth, with and without simultaneous administration of trivalent OPV. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Teaching hospital in Lucknow, India. PARTICIPANTS: 152 term neonates born in the hospital and given BCG and OPV 0-dose simultaneously before discharge, within 7 days of birth (Group I) , and 122 infants born at home or in private health facility, not given OPV-0 dose, coming for vaccination within 7 days of age (Group 2). INTERVENTION/OBSERVATION: Follow up done at 6 week, 10 week, 14 week and 9 months. Local reaction was recorded at the site of BCG vaccination. RESULTS: Scar formed in ≤14 wks in 51.3% and 89.3% babies in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively following BCG vaccination (P<0.001). At 9 months, scar developed in 93.9% infants in Group I and 94.3% babies in Group II. Abortive reaction and non-reactors were similar in both groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous administration of BCG vaccine with trivalent OPV to term infants in early neonatal period prolongs the time of scar formation but sequence of local reaction is not affected.

Prevalence of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and its correlates in school going children of Lucknow.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) and its correlates in school going children of Lucknow. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional school based study conducted in a random sample of 1212 school going children of Lucknow belonging to the middle socioeconomic strata. Data was collected via questionnaire designed for parents. Detailed urological history was obtained and physical examination done in the children whose parents answered the questionnaire. The chi-square test was used to compare the categorical/dichotomous indicators and backward logistic regression was used to find out the significant risk factors for monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. RESULTS: Study reports the prevalence of PMNE to be 12.6 % (95 % CI = 10.9-14.3 %) and significant association of enuresis with the presence of home conflicts(adjusted OR = 38.37, 95 % CI = 20.04-73.47), stress in children due to enuresis(adjusted OR = 10.86, 95%CI = 5.73-20.57), scolding(adjusted OR = 6.78,95%CI = 3.69-12.44), parental history of enuresis(adjusted OR = 3.57, 95%CI = 1.96-6.50), poor scholastic performance(adjusted OR = 2.88,95 % = 1.49-5.56), age 6-8 y (adjusted OR = 13.80,95%CI = 4.38-43.45) and living with single parent (adjusted OR = 0.34, 95%CI = 0.17-0.68). Prevalence of monosymptmatic nocturnal enuresis MNE was 17.9 % (p = 0.001) among children who were not exclusively breastfed till 6 mo of age in the index study. CONCLUSIONS: Enuresis is a pediatric health problem with high prevalence. Parental awareness needs to be created about this condition.