Acute Gastroenteritis and Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Children coming first time to Pakistan
ShahidMahmood, AbidNazirCh, Mumtaz A Bharo, TasleemBano, UbedullahBahalkani, AhsanMehmood,UmberRauf
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ABSTRACT
Aim: To detect episodes of acute gastroenteritis and acute respiratory
tract infections in children coming first time to Pakistan from abroad during
first four months of stay in Pakistan.
Study design: cross sectional study.
Place and duration of study: Study was
conducted for a period of four years at Doctors Hospital Gujrat and Shifa
Hospital Gujrat.
Methods: Total 236
children were included in the study. Children presenting in OPD having acute gastroenteritis or acute respiratory
tract infections were included in the study. Children 2 to 12 years of age were
included in the study. Only those children were included in the study who came
from abroad not more than 7 days back, moreover they have come first time in
Pakistan after staying in any developed country. Children with known
immune-compromised problem and congenital heart disease were excluded from the
study. Acute gastroenteritis and
acute respiratory tract infections were diagnosed on history,
examination and investigations.
Results: Total
236 children were followed. Children 02 to 12 years of age were included in the
study. 162(68.64%) children were from 2-7 years of age group and 74(31.35%)
children were from 8-12 years of age group. Parents of all children were
working in developed countries that’s why all children were belonging to rich
families. Out of 236 children 152(64.40%) children were males and 82(35.59%)
children were females. Regarding acute respiratory tract infections; total 795
episodes (3.37 episodes per child) were observed in children. Total 610
episodes (2.58 episodes per child) were observed in children in first two
months of stay in Pakistan.
Conclusions: First two
months after landing in Pakistan (developing countries) are crucial regarding
acute gastroenteritis and respiratory tract infections for any child from
abroad especially from developed countries. During first two months of stay in
Pakistan strict prevention of infections and immediate treatment of acute gastroenteritis
and respiratory tract infections may decrease the chances of complications in
children.
Keywords: Acute gastroenteritis,
respiratory tract infection, children
ABSTRACT
Aim: To detect episodes of acute gastroenteritis and acute respiratory
tract infections in children coming first time to Pakistan from abroad during
first four months of stay in Pakistan.
Study design: cross sectional study.
Place and duration of study: Study was
conducted for a period of four years at Doctors Hospital Gujrat and Shifa
Hospital Gujrat.
Methods: Total 236
children were included in the study. Children presenting in OPD having acute gastroenteritis or acute respiratory
tract infections were included in the study. Children 2 to 12 years of age were
included in the study. Only those children were included in the study who came
from abroad not more than 7 days back, moreover they have come first time in
Pakistan after staying in any developed country. Children with known
immune-compromised problem and congenital heart disease were excluded from the
study. Acute gastroenteritis and
acute respiratory tract infections were diagnosed on history,
examination and investigations.
Results: Total
236 children were followed. Children 02 to 12 years of age were included in the
study. 162(68.64%) children were from 2-7 years of age group and 74(31.35%)
children were from 8-12 years of age group. Parents of all children were
working in developed countries that’s why all children were belonging to rich
families. Out of 236 children 152(64.40%) children were males and 82(35.59%)
children were females. Regarding acute respiratory tract infections; total 795
episodes (3.37 episodes per child) were observed in children. Total 610
episodes (2.58 episodes per child) were observed in children in first two
months of stay in Pakistan.
Conclusions: First two
months after landing in Pakistan (developing countries) are crucial regarding
acute gastroenteritis and respiratory tract infections for any child from
abroad especially from developed countries. During first two months of stay in
Pakistan strict prevention of infections and immediate treatment of acute gastroenteritis
and respiratory tract infections may decrease the chances of complications in
children.
Keywords: Acute gastroenteritis,
respiratory tract infection, children