A cross-sectional study was conducted to ascertain the relationship between parental oral health perception on the importance of the deciduous dentition and the dental caries status of their preschool children. Clinical oral examination of the preschool children was performed and self-administered questionnaires were given to the parents to be completed. Four hundred and eight preschool children were examined and 390 of their parents responded to the self-administered questionnaire. Those parents who brought their children for regular dental check-up at least once a year; favoured restorative treatment and practised tooth brushing habit before bedtime were more likely to have children with significantly lower mean 'dft' as well as higher proportions of caries free mouth (> 50 %). Those children who started early in practising tooth brushing also had better dental caries status but the differences were not significant. However, there were no significant and appreciable differences in their mean 'dft' with respect to the frequencies of tooth brushing per day. It was concluded that parents with better oral health perception as reflected by those parents who (a) practiced regular dental check-up for their children; (b) favoured restorative treatment for their children's decayed deciduous teeth; (c) ensured their children brushed their teeth before bedtime are associated with better dental caries status of their preschool children.
Children with heavy Trichuris infestation were compared with paediatric amoebic dysentery patients and normal children. Heavy Trichuris infestation was diagnosed by visualization of worms on anoscopy. Patients with heavy Trichuris infection had a longer duration of disease, more frequent hospitalization and a higher rate of rectal prolapse than did patients with amoebiasis. Five Trichuris children also had clubbing. Trichuris patients had lower mean haematrocrits (27%) and serum albumin (3-3 gm%) than did patients with amoebiasis (32% and 3-7 gm% respectively). Coinfection with Shigella and Salmonella was significantly increased in patients with heavy Trichuris infection compared to both amoebic and control group children. Trichuris patients were infected with Entamoeba histolytica more frequently (46%) than normal children. Heavy Trichuris infection is the probable cause of symptoms and signs seen in these patients.
Learning disability occurs in 10-15% of children. It is manifested by an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, calculate or interact. It may be specific as in dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia or nonspecific learning disability. In the latter group, there may be under-achievement despite average or above-average-intelligence, slow learners and mental retardation. Factors that may cause learning disability include genetic abnormalities, antenatal and perinatal insults, abnormal growth and malnutrition in early childhood, parental mode of upbringing, poor opportunity for learning, physical illness and emotional and social problems. Meticulous history taking and physical examination is important to arrive at a proper diagnosis so that the most appropriate management is given, often involving professionals working as a team.