Introduction: Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) is a gram negative bacteria that causes gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (PUD). It is widely accepted that the infection may occur early in life and may persist for decades before causing diseases. The aim of this paper was to determine the prevalence of H. pyloriseropositivity in pediatric age group and to examine the associated risk factors. Patients and methods: Blood samples were collected from 100 subjects attending Hevi Pediatric Teaching Hospital over a period of 6 months and IgG positivity was determined. A questionnaire sheet was prepared and used for each study subject. Data were collected by a face-to-face interview.Results: It was found that 28/100 (28%) of the recruited sample was positive for H. pyloriseropositivity. A significant association was found between the number of siblings and H. pyloripositivity (P=0.01, OR=1.3). No significant relationships were found between other factors and H. pyloripositivity. Conclusions: The prevalence of H. pyloriinfection was less than that reported in the city previously and less than that reported in neighboring countries. A significant positive association was found between number siblings and H. pyloriinfection rate. Further studies are needed recruiting larger sample size to explore H. pyloriprevalence and its associated risk factors.

Music is frequently used in different clinical settings, and it is implemented as a complementary, low-cost and useful intervention to reduce pain, anxiety and to improve relaxation. This pilot pre–post study aimed to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a specific musical intervention in patients ≤16 years admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of an Iraqi hospital. The COMFORT Behavior Scale (CBS) was used by nurses to assess the level of sedation. Fifty-nine children were enrolled during the study period (March 2020–August 2021). CBS was lowered by 2.2 (95% CI: 1.9 to 2.6) points after 30 min, and by 3.3 (95% CI: 2.9 to 3.6) points after 60 min from music initiation. Thirty minutes after music initiation, heart rate decreased by 6.3 (95% CI: 4.5 to 8.1) beats per minute, whereas at 60 min, heart rate decreased by 9.1 (95% CI: 7.2 to 10.9) beats per minute. No clinically significant variations were detected in the other vital signs (blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation). These findings support the feasibility of musical intervention in a developing country. CBS and heart rate variation may be worth following up in larger and conclusive studies.

Background: Recurrent urinary tract Infection (UTI) is a common problem in pediatric age group. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a common cause for recurrent UTI. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of VUR in children who presented with recurrent UTIs and to assess the effect of endoscopic treatment in patients with grade III-V VUR. Methods: This was a prospective study recruiting 1232 patients who presented with recurrent UTI during April 2008 and January 2012. We used voiding cystourethrogram to diagnose VUR, and treated grades III-V VUR by bulking agent. One to 2 sessions were performed and the participants were followed-up postoperatively at first, second, third, and 12th months postoperatively. Results: VUR was found in 437 (35.5%) of the patients. Amongst those, 197 (16%) patients were diagnosed with VUR grade I and II. Additionally, 240 (19.5%) cases were diagnosed with VUR III-V. Two sessions were required to correct the reflux in all patients with grade III. The success rate of correction of grade IV was 79% after the second session. The success rate was 71% in grade V. New contralateral reflux with low grade (I and II) de novo VUR was found in 28/240 (11.7%) cases. After successful correction of VUR, UTI occurred in 12/203 (5.9%) of the patients. Conclusions: VUR was common in children with recurrent UTI with a good prognosis after endoscopic correction. Further study is needed to follow-up the participants who did not respond to treatment.

No abstract

Objectives: Helicobacter pylori infection is predominantly acquired in early childhood and persists for decades before causing disease. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of H. pylori infection and identify potential factors associated with infection in Duhok province, Iraq. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Over a four-year period from 2016 to 2020, a total of 381 children aged four to 18 years who attended the hospitals and were evaluated for specific IgG antibodies against H. pylori using serological tests were included. A questionnaire was completed at the start of the study. H. pylori serology data were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: The seroprevalence of H. pylori IgG-specific antibodies among the study participants was 31%. The infection rate significantly increased with increasing age of the participants (p<0.001), from 19.8% among four to five-year-olds to 42.9% among 16 and 18-year-olds. The infection rate was significantly higher in girls (35.9%) than that in boys (26.5%) (p<0.047). Infections were also higher among university students (41%; p<0.001), children from the country-side population (41%; p<0.001), children from crowded households (67.3%; p<0.001), and children with a history of gastrointestinal pain (44.4%; p>0.001). Conclusion. The prevalence rate of H. pylori infection among children in Duhok province is quite similar to that reported in previous studies in the Kurdistan region, Iraq, and increases with age. University attendance, history of gastrointestinal pain, countryside population, and overcrowding were risk factors associated with H. pylori infection. Valuable approaches to improve sanitary purposes and educational and socioeconomic status should be emphasized and promoted to reduce the risk of H. pylori infection among children.