Background: There are some evidences suggesting functional constipation-related growth retardation in children, especially in early childhood. Considering high prevalence of constipation, early diagnosis and treatment of constipated patients may improve the quality of life in these children. In this study, weight and height of Iranian children aged 2 to 12 years with functional constipation was evaluated compared to healthy children. Methods: A total of 130 Iranian children aged 2-12 years, 65 with functional constipation and 65 as healthy children referred to pediatric gastroenterology clinic during Jan to Dec of 2016, were enrolled in this case-control study. Functional constipation was defined as Rome III criteria. The growth status was evaluated using the growth charts, and Z scores of weight and height for age were recorded, with the consent of parents and child willingness. Results: 65 constipated patients (44 boys, 21 girls) with the mean age of 8.28 ± 3.24 years and 65 healthy children (25 boys, 40 girls) with the mean age of 8.32 ± 3.42 years were evaluated. The mean weight of case group was 23.69 ± 4.14 kg and mean height 126.49 ± 10.34 cm. The mean weight of control group with 31.62 ± 4.85 kg and mean height 153.47 ± 13.88 cm, demonstrated significant difference with the case group. The observed mean weight and height were significantly lower in constipated group and the differences of height-forage and weight-forage Z scores were statistically meaningful in constipated and healthy children. Conclusions: Functional constipation in children aged 2 to 12 years may retard their weight and height growth, so early diagnosis and treatment of children with constipation is beneficial in their adequate growth status.

Background and Objectives: Clitoromegaly is an important parameter in the evaluation of ambiguous genitalia in neonates, but the normative data for clitoral size in newborns have racial/ethnic differences. The present study aimed to determine clitoral length (CL) and clitoral width (CW) values and establish cutoff measurement to define clitoromegaly in both term and preterm Iranian neonates for the first time. Conclusion: This study suggests normative values (mean + 1, 2, and 3 SD) of CL and CW according to GA, which can be used as a reference for Middle East's newborns, especially Iranian newborn babies.

Background: Neonatal jaundice is a common major problem; on the other hand, it is suggested that there is a correlation between plasma magnesium concentrations and hyperbilirubinemia during the neonatal period.Objectives: The study aims to validate a previously reported risk index for predicting the magnesium level of plasma for moderate to severe hyperbilirubinemia in infant neonates. Methods: A cross-sectional correlation study was performed on 93 term newborns with indirect hyperbilirubinemia admitted in neonatology unit of a children hospital and plasma magnesium level of moderate to severe Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were determined, and statistical analysis was performed. Results: Authors did not find any statistically meaningful positive or negative correlation between plasma Mg level and bilirubin in patients studied; however, comparison of Mg level in two groups of severe and moderate hyperbilirubinemia showed decreased dispersion of medium Mg level in the severe group. Conclusions: Serum magnesium concentration is not useful in anticipation of which newborn infant will develop hyperbilirubinemia.

Background: Functional constipation is a common disorder in pediatrics and affects about 30 percent of children, causing several physical and emotional complications and having a considerable impact on health expenses and quality of life. Biofeedback is a behavioral therapy that gives the patient information about the activity of pelvic floor muscles and teaches the patients how to properly contract and relax the sphincter. Biofeedback therapy is the most effective in those with constipation due to pelvic floor dyssynergia, which is the abnormal function of sphincter muscles and affects 40% of children with constipation. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of biofeedback therapy in children with chronic functional constipation unresponsive to medical and conventional treatments. Methods: Forty-four children with functional constipation (according to ROME 4 criteria) unresponsive to at least six months of taking medical treatment and pelvic floor dyssynergia according to anorectal manometry were selected for biofeedback therapy. After six months, symptoms of patients and the need for laxative consumption were compared to those before therapy. Results: Considering ROME 4 criteria, clinical improvement was achieved in 59.1% of patients. Comparison of symptoms shows improvement in 52 - 89 % of cases. Conclusions: In pediatric patients with functional constipation and pelvic floor dyssynergia who do not respond to conventional treatments, biofeedback therapy could be an alternative therapy, and its effects last for at least six months.

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common congenital malformations at birth. Substance abuse has increased dramatically over the past two decades. It also can affect neonates of drug-abusing mothers. Objectives: This study strove to elucidate the possible association of maternal drug abuse with CHDs in their newborn infants. Patients and Methods: In this study, 72 neonates who were born during 6 years in three teaching hospitals are studied. Echocardiography was performed by a single pediatric cardiologist using two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography. Results: 1) Of 72 included cases, 38 (52.78%) had abnormal echocardiographic findings; 2) from 38 abnormal echocardiography, 35 (48.61% of total and 92.11% of abnormal echoes) had mild congenital heart defect (CHD), and 3 had complex CHD; 3) There was no significant difference in the prevalence of neonatal congenital heart defect with the type of misused drugs (opiates or methamphetamines). Conclusions: In our study, the prevalence of CHD in newborns of drug abuser mothers was significantly higher than the normal population of infants. Hence, echocardiographic screening of these newborns seems to be logical.