ئەز   Bashar Ibrahim Mohammed

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and long COVID-19 in children in Duhok province and Zakho city in the Kurdistan region. Methodology: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study and included children aged 5–12 years in Duhok and Zakho, two major neighboring cities in the Bahdenan region of northern Iraq. A total of 330 participants were included and the study was conducted between October 2022 and April 2023. The children were tested for the presence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic and personal data, and symptoms of each participant to determine the prevalence of long COVID-19. Results: Out of 330 participants, 302 (91.5%) were positive for IgG, and 156 (51.7%) of them were male. Only 4 participants (1.3%) had pneumonia, and 282 (93.4%) were asymptomatic. Fourteen out of 302 (4.6%) participants had long COVID-19. There were significant associations between long COVID-19 and history of previous COVID-19 episodes (p= 0.001), presence of pneumonia (p= 0.001), and family history of COVID-19 (p= 0.005). Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of COVID-19 among children in Duhok province and Zakho city, and 4.6% of them experienced long COVID-19. Factors such as prior COVID-19, pneumonia, and family history of COVID-19 were associated with long COVID-19. Continued monitoring, education, vaccination, preventive measures, and supportive care are recommended to effectively address …

Pompe disease which is glycogen storage disease type II, is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder where GAA gene mutations cause deficiency of acid alpha-glucosidase leading to deposition of glycogen in various tissues. Chromosome 17q25.2–25.3 is the location of GAA gene. This study aims to collect information on the Pompe disease symptoms’ severity and genotypes of 18 children who represented all infant patients with Pompe disease until March 1st, 2024. For diagnosis tandem mass spectrometry and genetic study were used. Muscle strength was assessed by hand-held dynamometry. Cardiac assessment was by echocardiography and electrocardiography. The feeding and swallowing difficulties in the patients were addressed. Statistical analysis was used P<0.05 was considered significant. Fifty percent had normal mental development, 27.8% had delayed mile stones 55.6% had weakness of extremities, 50% had heart problems in the first month,38.8% had respiratory problems in the first month and 12(66.6%) had feeding difficulties. The level of the enzyme alpha-1,4 Glucosidase level was Zero in two patients 66.7% and was 0.1µmol/L/h in 33.3% of the alive patients while it was 0.1 µmol/L/h in 73.3% and 0.2 µmol/L/h in 13.3% of the dead with a significant correlation. The genetic mutations were c. [258dupC]; [258dup] in 6 (33.3%) of the patients, c.258dup in 3(16.6%) and c.2237G>A in 11.1% of all the patients. Childhood Pompe disease course varies widely. It is important to consider Pompe disease in the differential diagnosis of patients with unexplained fatigue and weakness and cardiorespiratory involvement.

Background. Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most frequent disease-causing physical disability in childhood. This study aimed to analyze prenatal and perinatal risk factors contributing to CP in Kurdish children. studied. Material and methods. A case-control study was conducted in Duhok, north of Iraq. The cases of CP children 0-10 years old, born between 2011 and 2021, were collected from primary health care centers and the rehabilitation center. The controls were age- and sex-matched with normal neurologic development. Maternal characteristics and prenatal and postnatal factors were Results. The study included 100 cases and 100 controls. Postnatal respiratory distress, infection acquired during labor, neonatal asphyxia, and maternal education were significantly different. The logistic regression showed the following variables as significant risk factors for CP: the use of drugs by mother, infections acquired during pregnancy and labor, intra uterine growth retardation, postnatal respiratory distress, asphyxia, consanguinity, a sibling with CP, maternal employment, maternal education, premature and prolonged rupture of membranes, parity, multiple pregnancies, smoking by the mother, meconium aspiration, delivery by emergency Cesarean section, delayed first cry, hemorrhage during late pregnancy, neonatal seizures, birth defects, need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation during labor, hypocalcemia and use of antibiotics during neonatal period. Conclusions. Various prenatal and perinatal factors were found to significantly predispose to CP.

Background. Breast milk is the best food satisfying a baby’s needs. Sociodemographic factors, breastfeeding. antenatal care practices, and professional assistance at birth may be barriers against this. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of exclusivity and to identify the barriers to Material and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2022-2023 involving 336 mothers of infants (6-24 months) who visited primary healthcare centers. Information on socioeconomic background, pregnancy and delivery details, and awareness of breastfeeding benefits was collected using a pretested questionnaire. Data analysis was performed and a p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results. The whole number of infants breastfed was 146 (43.45%), and for six months, this was 25 (7.4%). The significant factors were: living in Duhok City, not having sufficient knowledge about the breastfeeding, decision to breastfeed during pregnancy, starting breastfeeding soon after delivery, vaginal delivery, order of birth, not giving sugar after delivery, being supported by the husband, holding the baby after delivery, knowledge of benefits of breastfeeding. The most significant factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding were maternal age < 25 years, diseases during pregnancy, birth order (2nd or 3rd ), explanation of the benefits of breastfeeding by health professionals, decision to exclusively breastfeed during pregnancy, delivery in a governmental hospital, and holding the baby after birth (OR=1.09, 1.037, 1.048, 1.677, 5.869, 1.097, and 2.45, respectively). Conclusions. This study identified multifaceted barriers to early exclusive breastfeeding in the Duhok Governorate.

Background: The modernization of technology today has raised concerns among parents and health professionals about its probable impact on children's sleep, vision, behavior, and school performance. Aim: This study explores the effects of digital screen use on children's health and behavior, focusing on screen time duration, parental screen use, device types, and supervision. It examines key risk factors and correlations. Methods: A descriptive study design was used to explore the impacts of digital screen usage on children's health and behavior. Parents of 580 children aged 1-12 years from Duhok City, Iraq, were included. The data were collected through online questionnaires to parents addressing demographic data, screen time, and physical and behavioral issues. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0 (2020; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) was used to analyze the variables, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 580 children were involved in this study. The majority (41.6%) were aged 1-3 years, with 59.7% were male. The phone was the most commonly used (39.0%) device and 38.8% of children owned a digital device; 59.5% of parents reported moderate control over screen time, and most of them (46.4%) had secondary or institute education. Post-device use, 51% of parents reported no change in cognition, but 27.6% reported worse cognition and 41.2% noted increased nervousness. Approximately 45.9% of parents supervised screen time. Supervision did not appear to significantly influence sleep disturbances as compared to unsupervised (39.1% vs.33.1%, p=0.135). However, eye problems showed a significant correlation (66.9% vs. 76.4%, p=0.009). Younger parents (25-35 years) were more likely to monitor screen time (58.6%) compared to older parents (>36 years, 23.3%). Regression analysis confirms parents' own screen time notably predicted children's screen time (B=0.155, p<0.001). These findings highlight the importance of parental behavior in influencing children's screen habits and health outcomes. Conclusion: This study reveals the significant impact of parental screen time on children's digital habits and health outcomes. The findings suggest that children with supervised screen time have fewer sleep and eye problems. Younger parents are more likely to control their children's screen time, highlighting the role of parental involvement. The results highlight the need for evidence-based guidelines and increased awareness to manage screen time effectively, promoting healthier growth in children.

Anemia is a very important nutritional issue all over the world. It is most commonly present in preschool children with a prevalence of47. 4%. Factors like low socio-economic status, large family size, ignorance and illiteracy are associated with anemia among children less than five years. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of anemia and identify the factors associated with it in children aged 2–5 years. Patients and Methods: A cross sectional study included 798 pre-school children (2–5 years of age) selected from those children who visited health care centres and Heevi Pediatric Teaching Hospital. Dietary, biochemical and anthropometrical, and information were collected through a questionnaire. Children with hemoglobin (Hb) values of< 11.0 g/dl were considered anemic. Heights, weights and Body Mass Index [BMI] were measured. Children with [BMI] above 85th centile was considered as overweight and above 95th centile as obese. Data such as past breastfeeding practices, birth weights, time of starting weaning food, duration of breastfeeding, type of weaning food, time of starting infant formula, child’s chronic illness, child’s eating habits, mother’s age, occupation and education were collected. Results: The overall incidence of anemia is 29.8%(238/798). The male: female ratio 1.03: 1 in the anemic children. The body weight of the anemic patients was most commonly between 5th and 85th centiles, 155 (65.12%). The most frequent birth weight of the anemic patients was between 2.5 and 4 Kg, 191 (80.25%). Most of anemic patients had history of breast feeding for equal to or more than six months, 113 (47.47%). The weaning foods of most of the …

Aims of the Study This study aimed to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in children under 12 years of age and to investigate factors influencing the production of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, between July 2022 and February 2023. IgG levels against SARS-CoV-2 were measured using an ELISA assay. Results Out of 330 participants, 26 (7.88%) had a documented history of COVID-19 confirmed by PCR, while 302 (91.15%) showed positive IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The characteristics of the 302 individuals with positive IgG results were compared to 28 individuals with negative results. The analysis revealed that age group and family history of documented COVID-19 were significantly associated with the presence of IgG antibodies. The 5-8 age group exhibited the highest percentage of positive IgG antibodies. Furthermore, individuals with a family history of documented COVID-19 had a significantly higher rate of positive IgG antibodies compared to those without such a history (P=0.04). No significant differences were found between males and females, socioeconomic status, feeding methods, chronic diseases, birth weight, or family size (P>0.05). In examining factors that might affect IgG levels, no significant differences in mean IgG levels were observed based on age, birth weight, socioeconomic status, maternal occupation, premature labor, feeding practices, previous COVID-19 history, pneumonia, immunization status, family history of documented COVID-19, or family size (P>0.05). However, females had significantly higher mean IgG levels than males (P=0.049). Conclusions This study highlights key risk factors associated with COVID-19 infection in children. Age group and family history of documented COVID-19 were identified as significant factors influencing the presence of IgG antibodies. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of targeted prevention and treatment strategies for COVID-19 in children.