Shahid Mahmood, Abid Nazir Choudhry, Mumtaz Ali Bharo, Tasleem Bano, Ubedullah Bahalkani, Ahsan Mehmood, Umber Rauf.
Acute Gastroenteritis and Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Children coming first time to Pakistan from abroad.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;14(2):355-8.

Aim: To detect episodes of acute gastroenteritis and acute respiratory tract infections in children coming first time to Pakistan from abroad during first four months of stay in Pakistan. Study design: cross sectional study. Place and duration of study: Study was conducted for a period of four years at Doctors Hospital Gujrat and Shifa Hospital Gujrat. Methods: Total 236 children were included in the study. Children presenting in OPD having acute gastroenteritis or acute respiratory tract infections were included in the study. Children 2 to 12 years of age were included in the study. Only those children were included in the study who came from abroad not more than 7 days back, moreover they have come first time in Pakistan after staying in any developed country. Children with known immune-compromised problem and congenital heart disease were excluded from the study. Acute gastroenteritis and acute respiratory tract infections were diagnosed on history, examination and investigations. Results: Total 236 children were followed. Children 02 to 12 years of age were included in the study. 162(68.64%) children were from 2-7 years of age group and 74(31.35%) children were from 8-12 years of age group. Parents of all children were working in developed countries thats why all children were belonging to rich families. Out of 236 children 152(64.40%) children were males and 82(35.59%) children were females. Regarding acute respiratory tract infections; total 795 episodes (3.37 episodes per child) were observed in children. Total 610 episodes (2.58 episodes per child) were observed in children in first two months of stay in Pakistan. Conclusions: First two months after landing in Pakistan (developing countries) are crucial regarding acute gastroenteritis and respiratory tract infections for any child from abroad especially from developed countries. During first two months of stay in Pakistan strict prevention of infections and immediate treatment of acute gastroenteritis and respiratory tract infections may decrease the chances of complications in children.

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