The World Health Organization recommends early initiation of breastfeeding (within 1 hour of giving birth). This study assessed the prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding by mothers of neonates in Al-Hassa province, Saudi Arabia. Mothers attending for birth registration at primary health care centres were interviewed and various sociodemographic, obstetric and health service related variables as well as breast problems were assessed for any influence on timely breastfeeding rates. While 91.9% of the 906 neonates studied were breastfed (8.1% were never breastfed), only 11.4% were given timely breastfeeding (within 1 hour after birth). Logistic regression revealed that the independent predictors of timely breastfeeding were: not giving prelacteal feed (OR 13.7), rural/hegar residence (OR 4.2), absence of breast problems (OR 3.4), parity 2 or 3 (OR 2.9) and parity 4+ (OR 2.4). Mothers at risk of delayed breastfeeding initiation should be the target of breastfeeding promotion during prenatal care. Mansoura, Mansoura, Egypt (Correspondence to A.-H. El-Gilany: ahgilany@gmail.com). RÉSUMÉ L'Organisation mondiale de la Santé recommande l'initiation précoce de l'allaitement au sein (dans l'heure suivant la naissance). L'étude a évalué la prévalence de l'initiation de l'allaitement au sein en temps opportun chez des mères de nouveau-nés dans la province de Al-Hassa (Arabie saoudite). Les mères qui se sont rendues dans des centres de soins de santé primaires pour l'enregistrement de la naissance de leur enfant ont été interrogées. Diverses variables sociodémographiques, obstétricales et sanitaires ainsi que les problèmes mammaires ont été évalués en tant que facteurs influant sur les taux de réussite de l'allaitement au sein. Alors que 91,9 % des 906 nouveau-nés étudiés ont été allaités au sein (8,1 % n'en ont jamais eu ce mode d'allaitement), seuls 11,4 % ont bénéficié d'une initiation précoce (dans l'heure suivant la naissance). L'analyse de régression logistique a révélé que les facteurs prédictifs indépendants d'une initiation de l'allaitement au sein en temps opportun étaient les suivants : l'absence d'administration d'un biberon avant la lactogénèse (O.R. 13,7), un lieu de résidence rural ou désertique (O.R. 4,2), l'absence de problèmes mammaires (O.R. 3,4), une parité de deux ou trois enfants (O.R. 2,9) ainsi qu'une parité de plus de quatre (O.R. 2,4). Les mères risquant de retarder la mise en route de l'allaitement au sein doivent être ciblées par les campagnes de promotion de ce mode d'alimentation pendant les soins prénatals.

This study was carried out in the northern region of Saudi Arabia during 1419 AH [1998 AD]. A random sample of 1200 prescriptions was analysed to determine the magnitude of factors associated with acute respiratory infections [ARI]and their treatment. ARI were diagnosed in more than one-third of the prescriptions analysed, of which upper respiratory infections accounted for 65.8%, and pneumonia less than 1%. The prevalence of ARI was significantly higher in urban areas, among children, among males and during the colder seasons of the year. Antibiotics were prescribed for 87.8% of patients. This study reinforces the need to implement forthwith the Saudi national programme for diagnosis and treatment of ARI.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of preterm infants experience developmental delay despite receiving a post discharge early interventional care. Cerebrolysin is a peptide mixture which acts similar to endogenous neurotrophic factors through promoting neurogenesis and enhancing neuronal plasticity. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of Cerebrolysin plus routine intervention program versus routine intervention program alone on the outcome of preterm infants at high risk for neurodevelopmental delay. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, high-risk preterm infants <  32 weeks’ gestation who have abnormal neurological assessment at two months corrected post-natal age were randomized at 6 months corrected post natal age to receive either early intervention program or early intervention program plus Cerebrolysin injection of 0.1 mL/kg body weight every week for 3 months as an adjuvant therapy. The primary outcome was the rate of failure of the gross motor assessment at 12 months of corrected age and secondary outcomes included fine motor, language, and personal social development at 12 months corrected post-natal age as assessed by Denver Developmental Screening Test II. RESULTS: Cerebrolysin group had a significant lower number of infants diagnosed with failed gross motor development compared to infants in the routine intervention group [10 (33%) versus 21 (70%), p = 0.009]. Cerebrolysin group had a significant lower number of infants diagnosed with failed fine motor, language and personal social development compared to infants in the routine intervention group. CONCLUSION: Cerebrolysin, as an adjuvant therapy to routine early interventional care, may improve gross motor development of high-risk preterm infants at 12 months corrected post-natal age.

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