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Objective: To compare the effectiveness of zinc supplementation in tablet form with that of the suspension form in the treatment of acute diarrhoea., Methods: A comparative study was carried out at the Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan from October 2008 to April 2009, and comprised children aged6-24 months suffering from acute diarrhoea. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of even and odd numbers. Group A (even numbers) received dispersible zinc tablets, and group B (odd numbers) received zinc suspension. The patients were admitted for 3 days and improvement was checked at the end of 3rd day in terms of decrease in the frequency of stools/day. SPSS 15 was used for data analysis., Results: The 88 patients were divided into two groups of 44(50%) each. Overall, 49(55.7%) patients were male and 39(44.3%) were female. At the end of the 3rd day 51(58%) patients improved, while 37(42%) did not. In the zinc tablet group, improvement was in 32(72%) patients compared to 19(43%) in the zinc suspension group (p<0.05).diarrhoea., Conclusions: The results of tablets preparation were clinically significant in reducing the duration and severity of diarrhoea.

The objective of this study was to find any association of extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) with a possible infectious etiology. Infants diagnosed to have EHBA were tested by blood PCR for cytomegalovirus (CMV), Ebstein-Barr virus, HBsAg, anti-HCV and IgM antibodies for CMV, toxoplasma, rubella, and herpes infections. Thirty-three infants of EHBA were included in the study, male 22, median age when diagnosed 2.5 months (range 1.0-5.0 months). On examination pallor, oedema and hepatosplenomegaly were seen in all and ascites and microcephaly in 19 (57.6%). Centile height and weight were 50th in 23 and 25th in 10. Persistent CMV infection documented by PCR was present in 14 (42%) patients. Eleven of these also had positive CMV IgM antibodies. No other above mentioned infections could be detected in our patients of EHBA. Our data suggests that CMV infection may play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of EHBA.

Objective: To assess the practice and knowledge of mothers regarding breast feeding, complimentary feeding, and to find out socio-economic correlates of feeding practices., Methods: A cross sectional survey conducted at paediatric department of Liaquat University Hospital (LUH) from Jan-Dec 2008. During that period 500 mothers with children less than 24 months were included. Infant feeding patterns were assessed in relation to recommendations and household socio-economic factors by an Interview Technique., Results: Out of 500 mothers, 8.4% started exclusive breast feeding (EBF) while Pre-lacteal use was seen in 31.6%. Regarding the duration 52.2% mothers continued breast feeding for 2 years. Median duration of EBF was 3.5 months. It was seen that 60% of the 0-5 month-old infants breastfed 8 or more times per day. However, exclusiveness of breast feeding decreased from 60% at (0-2 months) to 40% (3-5 months). Majority 64.2% were poor and 61.5% had no education. There is a statistically significant difference in feeding practices of educated and uneducated (P < 0.0001) and also in poor and middle class mothers (P < 0.0003). Regarding, age of their last born babies, 180 babies were under 6 months, and 320 were 6 to 23 months of age. The knowledge about complimentary feeding (CF) was inadequate. Around 21% of 2-3 months old babies received complementary food and 19% of 6-8 month-olds were only breastfed. In 78% mothers CF was advised by family members while in 23% mothers by doctors., Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding was not maintained upto recommended age of 6 months. Knowledge about CF was lacking in the mothers. Regarding, mothers' education and socioeconomic conditions, a positive correlation was noted with feeding practices.