Zinc deficiency is a major public health problem in some resource-limited countries. This study assesses the zinc status of 90 pre-school-age children, aged 12 to 59 months, resident in the National Capital District (NCD), Papua New Guinea. Children attending the Children's Outpatient Clinic at Port Moresby General Hospital participated in this cross-sectional study. Informed consent was obtained from parents before using blood samples from their children. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure the serum zinc concentration. C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum was measured by enzyme immunoassay and used to interpret the serum zinc data. The median serum zinc concentration for all the children was 83.6 μg/dl and the interquartile range was 64.6-103.7 μg/dl. The prevalence of serum zinc deficiency (Zn <65.0 μg/dl) among all the children was 26%; and 42% had elevated serum CRP level. Serum zinc deficiency was present among 31% and 20% of the children in the 12 to 24 months and over 24 months age groups respectively. The prevalence of serum zinc deficiency among the male and female children was 28% and 25% respectively. The high prevalence of zinc deficiency among the children may be caused by the high rate of subclinical infection and low bioavailability of absorbable zinc in the popular foodstuffs that they are consuming. The prevalence of zinc deficiency among the children with and without elevated serum CRP strongly suggests the need for continuous monitoring of the zinc status of pre-school-age children in the NCD
Child ;

Background: Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis comprises 1.1% of all tuberculosis (TB) cases notified in the Philippines.34 Its diagnosis poses a challenge for clinicians due to the protean ways in which the disease presents. Monitoring its treatment outcome is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Objective: This study aims to determine the clinical profile and treatment outcomes of children with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in a children’s medical center. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in a children’s medical center. The medical records of children less than 15 years with extrapulmonary tuberculosis from 2010 to 2014 were reviewed. Demographic, clinical data and treatment outcome were noted. Results: A total of 140 charts were reviewed. Male to female ratio is 2.3:1. The most common age group was 0-4 years and central nervous system (CNS) was the most predominant site. New cases were 96.4% and 97.1% were clinically diagnosed. History of TB contact was elicited in 36.4% and tuberculin skin test was positive only in 39.3%. The most common presenting symptoms were in association with the site of infection. Results of the different diagnostic modalities used have contributed significantly in establishing the diagnosis. Treatment outcome was favorable at 79.3% while deaths were seen in 11.4% of cases. Conclusion The study has shown that proportion of patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis was 3%. Treatment outcome was satisfactory at 79.3% but was not significantly associated with the site of infection.
Child

Objective: This study described the demographics of pediatric patients who sustained open globe injuries, determined the visual outcome of open globe injuries in pediatric patients and the factors associated with final visual acuity. Methodology: The medical charts of 195 patients aged 0-18 years seen for open globe injury in a Philippine tertiary hospital for three years were reviewed. Results: The average age of patients was 7.9 years with 41% belonging to the 5-9 years old group. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the patients were males. Ninety-five percent (95%) of the open globe injuries were accidental, mostly from play (67%). The most common agents of injury were metallic objects (42%) followed by wooden objects (24%). The cornea was injured in 80% of the cases, cornea and sclera in 10%, sclera in 7%, and globe rupture in 3%. Eighty-six percent (86%) of the patients underwent surgery. Initial visual acuity was associated with the presence of complication and the site of injury. Final visual acuity was associated with the initial visual acuity, the interval from injury to consultation, the site of injury, and the presence of complications. Conclusions The majority of the injuries were accidental and thus avoidable. The education of parents and caregivers on proper storage of potentially harmful objects at home and proper supervision of children at play are important in addition to early consultation after the injury as well as a timely intervention.
Child

No abstract available.
Child ; Child Abuse* ; Child* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Child ; Child Health* ; Child* ; Humans

PURPOSE: This study aims to understand baby care helpers' degree of emotional labor, job stress, and burnout and analyze the effects of emotional labor and job stress on their burnout. METHODS: Data were collected from August 16 to September 6, 2016 for three weeks with child care helpers working in C city, D city, and S city as subjects. Multiple regression analysis was used in order to examine the factors influencing the subjects' burnout. RESULTS: Burnout in general characteristics differed significantly according to age (F=4.81, p=.011). As the most influential factors for burnout, emotional labor (β=.43) had statistically significant correlation with it, along with job stress (β=.16) and age (β=.14). These variables explained burnout (Adj.R²=0.29, p<.001) at a rate of 29%. CONCLUSION: It is judged that strategies and continuous management aimed at reducing child care helpers' emotional labor and job stress are necessary. As an approach from different aspects, it is required that variables related to emotional labor, job stress, and burnout are identified and there would be more researches in order to establish some national policies for child care helpers.
Child ; Child Care* ; Child* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Child ; Child, Orphaned* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Child* ; Child, Preschool* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Child ; Child, Orphaned* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Child ; Child, Orphaned* ; Humans