Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
Ma Criselda P Sarmiento and Shirley Josefina P Ong
Makati Medical Center, Philippines
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Pediatr Ther
It is a prospective descriptive study involving 156 participants practicing formula-feeding from Cembo Health Center, Makati City, Philippines. Information on maternal, infant demographic data, feeding history and current feeding history were obtained through an investigator-conducted interview. Of the 156 respondents, 44% were from the 20-30 years old age group, in which there was signifi cantly higher percentage of mothers practicing exclusively formula feeding than mixed feeding. Th ere were 141 mothers with previous breastfeeding experience and only 30% of them continued breastfeeding and mixedfed their infants. 57 mothers had infants given breast milk substitutes or supplements at birth. Th e most frequent reported reasons for stopping breastfeeding were insuffi cient milk production (58.3%) and the need to return to work or school (25.0%). Top two maternal infl uences for milk formula choice were recommendations from their doctor (36.5%) and from a relative or friend (30.8%). Only 21.1% of the respondents had infants who encountered problems, wherein the most common was constipation (45.5%). 93 mothers reported changing their infant�������¢����������������s milk formula and 77% of them did not consult a doctor prior to change. Formula changes usually occur two or three times, commonly before 12 months of age. In summary, the most common maternal reason for breastfeeding cessation is insuffi cient milk production. Constipation is the most prominent feeding problem among formula-fed infants and is also the most frequent reason for formula switch. Milk formula changes commonly occurred before the fi rst year of life and oft en without physician guidance. Neurocysticercosis: A case report of a neglected cause of seizure in a child Hannah Grace B Segocio Davao Medical School Foundation Hospital, Philippines Neurocysticercosis is a signifi cant but neglected cause of preventable seizure worldwide. Th is study aimed to report the case of a 9 year-old, Filipino, female who developed new-onset, right-sided seizures and hemiparalysis. Cranial CT scan revealed a non-calcifi ed cystic mass with rim enhancement and surrounding edema at the left frontal lobe. Th is was confi rmed by brain MRI with an additional fi nding of a scolex, which is pathognomonic for neurocysticercosis. Th e patient received Albendazole for 7 days with Dexamethasone and was discharged with an anticonvulsant, Levetiracetam, maintained for 5 months. Repeat MRI was normal aft er 2 months. Th e patient has been seizure-free for almost two years now. Neurocysticercosis is caused by the encysted larva of Taenia solium in the central nervous system. Despite being recognized as the most common cause of acquired epilepsy in literatures, there have only been few well-documented cases of neurocysticercosis in children. Clinical manifestations vary and depend on the cyst�������¢����������������s location, number, stage and the host immune response. Criteria for diagnosis include a combination of clinical, radiologic, serologic, histologic and epidemiologic parameters. Neuroimaging suggestive of a single, small, cystic lesion with ring enhancement should raise suspicion of neurocysticercosis. Th is case highlights the need to consider neurocysticercosis in endemic areas wherein a child presented with new onset, non-febrile seizure with focal characteristic. Management includes symptomatic therapy with the use of anticonvulsants and defi nitive therapy with the use of cysticidal drugs, in combination with corticosteroids or surgery, if indicated. Prevention should place emphasis on the improvement of hygiene and sanitation.