International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition

10-16

Authors: Lawrence Kotlow

Physicians are often asked to diagnose and treat infants with clinical signs of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms and in extreme cases gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some infants are left to work out their pain, regurgitation and vomiting until they outgrow the symptoms while others may undergo expensive, invasive endoscopic procedures in the operating room under general anesthesia. Initial treatment is often for infants to be placed on prescription adult acid reflux medications, which have limited benefits [1]. Drugs prescribed include: H-2 blockers such as ranitidine (Zantac), a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole (Prilosec) or lansoprazole (Prevacid). TOTS may cause aerophagia, a condition where the infant’s latch onto the mother’s breast or bottle allows the infant to swallow excessive amounts of air into the stomach during feeding. This aerophagia may be responsible for symptoms mimicking GER or GERD [2]. When these infants are examined for symptoms of GER the differential diagnosis of tethered oral tissues (TOTS) may not be addressed [3]. Tethered oral tissues may involve ankyloglossia (tongue-tied), maxillary and /or mandibular frenum lip-ties and in some instances buccal frenum ties. These tethered oral tissues (TOTS) prevent the infant from achieving a good seal onto the breast and or bottle with the resulting ingestion of excessive amounts of air. Background: When assessing infants presenting with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, aerophagia secondary to tethered oral tissues (tongue-ties ,Lip-ties) should be considered in the differential diagnosis since the release of these tissues may eliminate the need for invasive gastrointestinal investigations and pharmacologic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux. Patient Pool: 340 infants ranging from 1 week to 3 months were referred for the evaluation and release of lingual and maxillary lips which were interfering with infant’s ability to achieve a good seal and latch onto the mother’s breast of infant bottle .The survey the parents completed indicated that 208 or 61% of the infants had signs of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) such as; vomiting, regurgitation, inability to sleep lying supine, fussiness, crying after nursing and morning congestion. Of the 208 infants 40% (83 infants) were or had been treated for GER with pharmacologic medications such as proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers without any resolution of the symptoms. Findings: All of the infants presenting with these signs and symptoms underwent laser revisions of the tethered attachments. Upon completion of the procedure and at a 48 hour post-surgical follow-up discussion with the parents 93% (194 infants) of the infants showed immediate improvements and were able to breastfeed successfully without signs or symptoms of GER. Survey returned at the end of two weeks post-surgery had similar results Conclusion: Infants presenting with signs of GER should also be evaluated for restrictive tethered oral tissues (TOTS) such as ankyloglossia, lip and buccal ties. If they are present, strong consideration should be given to the release of these tissues as an initial approach. This may eliminate the need for pharmacologic treatment of GER.

25-30

Authors: Divya Shakti, Veena Singh, Gertrude Nakigozi, Sarah Kiguli, Deepak Kamat

Delayed umbilical cord clamping and care practices have important implications for infant iron stores and neonatal survival. This is especially important in countries like Uganda, where there is a high prevalence of anemia in women and children coupled with a high newborn mortality rate. This study assesses cord clamping and care practices in home births in a coverage area of 12 health centers in 4 districts near Kampala, Uganda. We interviewed 147 women, most of who had at least primary school education and delivered their babies in the homes of traditional birth attendants. Only 65% of the persons conducting delivery washed hands, and most wore gloves. Most frequent cord ties were threads (86.7%), and glove rims (8.3%). Cords were cut with clean instruments in most (93.1%) deliveries. During cord clamping, newborn was positioned at a higher level than mother in 59%, delayed clamping (
3mins) was reported in 52%. Combination of delayed clamping and positioning of newborn at mother’s level or lower was reported in only 19%. Substances used for cord care included surgical spirit (42.4%), local herbs (24.5%), powder (22.6%), ash (21.6%), saline water (10.3%), and tea (2.8%). Cord care instructions given most commonly were: cleaning with warm saline water (27%), spirit or antiseptics (25%), and herb application (7%). Awareness regarding cord infections was poor (20%). Mother’s education level, and age were not associated with cord clamping or care practices. Our study indicates scope for interventions to help improve hemoglobin levels in infancy. Education regarding cord care practices may reduce infections