Introduction: A father's knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding are very important for the success of breastfeeding practices. There is no uniform practice of including them in the education sessions in our country. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding among fathers of infants aged 6 months to 2 years attending well baby clinic. Material and Method: A cross sectional study with convenient sampling was conducted on 93 fathers. A self-administered, pretested and pre-validated questionnaire with regards to breastfeeding practices was then distributed among the fathers. Results: 93 respondents completed this study. 70 fathers (75.3%) had babies exclusively breast fed between 4-6 months of age. 54 fathers (58.1%) had knowledge about breastfeeding before baby's birth and 68 (73.1%) were keen to get more information after baby's birth. 90 fathers (96.8%) felt that they got required information , but only 34 (36.6.%) had received education from health care providers. Knowledge regarding exclusive breastfeeding (n=84), breast milk superiority, (n=86), emotional bonding created by breastfeeding (n=70) was adequate in most. Father's age, education status, occupation, family type had no influence on knowledge or attitude. Father's whose child was born by caesarean section or had co morbidities in neonatal period had better knowledge and positive attitude. Fathers with better knowledge had positive attitude towards breastfeeding, but this had no influence on duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: Father's knowledge was positively affected by health care exposure and education. Fathers with good knowledge had positive attitude towards breast feeding. Hence they should be included in discussions regarding breastfeeding in antenatal counselling.
Introduction: Catch-up growth (CUG) in small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants is essential for their overall development. Knowledge about the factors influencing CUG might be critical in their effective management. Hence this study was performed with the aim of identifying factors that may influence CUG in SGA infants. Methods: Asymmetrical SGA infants born at term were included in the study as per defined criteria, and their demographic details were recorded. Anthropometric data, feeding practice details, and intercurrent illnesses data were collected on follow-up at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12–15 months of age. Catch-up growth weight was defined as improvement of weight to the normal range of -2 to +2 weight-for-age Z score (WAZ). Analysis was carried out using SPSS Expand 17 software. Chi-square test was used to find association between variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to measure effect. A P value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Out of 324 SGA infants born at term, 119 completed 12–15-month follow-up, of which 69.7% had achieved CUG weight. Exclusive breastfeeding >4 months, continued breastfeeding until 12–15 months, and absence of diarrheal episodes were positively associated with CUG. Pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, and maternal overweight/obesity were negatively associated with CUG. Maternal education status, conception age, gravida status, mode of delivery, vitamin D and iron supplementation, and intercurrent respiratory infections were not associated with CUG. On multivariate analysis, continued breastfeeding and absence of diarrheal episodes were independent factors associated with CUG. Conclusion: Breastfeeding practice, especially continued breastfeeding, and the absence of diarrheal illness are the key determinants for achieving CUG weight in term SGA infants, particularly in settings where resources are limited.
Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMA) is an unusual cause for recurrent vomiting. The possibility should be considered in children with severe cachexia. The illness can be managed conservatively in acute settings and in children who cannot tolerate the stress of anesthesia.
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