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[Prevention in pediatrics in the Nord-Cotentin. Prospective study of 255 cases]
Insights
This study highlights gaps in childhood immunizations and nutrition. Promoting routine vaccinations and ensuring proper infant nutrition with adapted formulas and iron supplementation are crucial for child health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Child Nutrition
Background:
- Assessing the vaccination status and nutritional health of young children is essential for identifying public health priorities.
- Many children may not achieve full immunity despite vaccination due to various factors.
- Nutritional deficiencies like iron deficiency anemia are common in early childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immunization coverage and nutritional status of children admitted to a pediatric department.
- To identify areas for improvement in public health interventions for young children.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing child health strategies.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of medical records of 255 children aged 6 months to 3 years over a 4-month period.
- Data collection included vaccination history, vitamin D supplementation, milk feeding practices, and hematological signs of iron deficiency.
- Analysis focused on vaccination compliance and prevalence of nutritional markers.
Main Results:
- While BCG vaccination was nearly universal (99%), only 71% showed a positive skin test.
- Coverage for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and poliomyelitis was high (92%), but measles vaccination was lower (61%).
- Iron deficiency signs were present in at least 35% of children, with 70% receiving cow's milk in the latter half of their first year.
Conclusions:
- Routine immunizations and measles-containing vaccines need increased promotion.
- Adapted milk formulas are recommended up to one year of age.
- Systematic iron supplementation for pregnant women and at-risk infants is necessary.
Abstract:
Over a 4 month period, the medical records of 255 children with an age range of 6 months to 3 years and who had been admitted to the Cherbourg Hospital Department of Pediatrics were prospectively studied. Ninety-nine % had received BCG vaccination but only 71% had a positive skin test. Ninety-two % were vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and poliomyelitis and 61% against measles. Seventy-eight % of parents said that they had correctly administered vitamin D, at least up to 18 months of age. Seventy % of children were fed cow's milk during the second half of the first year and at least 35% had at least one hematological sign of iron deficiency. The promotion of routine immunizations as well as vaccination against rubella-mumps-measles seems to be desirable goals. There is a need for the widespread use of adapted milk formulas up to 1 year of age and for systematic iron supplementation of pregnant women and of infants presenting with evidence of iron deficiency or on cow's milk.