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Background: Autism is a complex disorder resulting from the combination of genetic and environmental factors. Though various genetic factors are involved in expression of autism, exogenous factor can modify and control gene expression. Objectives: To find out the socio-environmental factors which may contribute to early development and expressions of autism in children of Bangladesh. Materials &Methods: Autism cases (n=652) were diagnosed clinically and by applying ICD10 criterions in Child Development Centers (CDCs) of 15 tertiary medical college hospitals of Bangladesh. A retrospective analysis was done on collected data of detailed history and clinical notes of those children. Results: Among total 652 children with autism, 71.9% were from 2-5 years’ age group at diagnosis, with a male predominance (79%). Seventy-two percent were from middle to higher income family groups, 68% from urban areas and maximum children from nuclear families (77.5%). ‘Less interactive family’ was found in 67.50%. Play opportunity was absent in 60.60%. All the children watched TV and 85.6% watched TV for more than 2 hours/day. Conclusion: Children from urban area, higher income and nuclear family, lack of interactive play opportunity may play important role to develop autism in Bangladeshi children. Bangladesh J Child Health 2020; VOL 44 (2) :78-81

Introduction: Anaemia is a common problem in childhood. In Bangladesh, overall 68% of children aged 6-59 months are anaemic. Anaemia impairs normal growth and development, decreases physical exercise tolerance and intellectual performance in children. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence and risk factors for iron deficiency anaemia in hospitalized children aged 6 to 36 months. Materials and Methods: Eligible children admitted in Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital due to any acute illness, were enrolled from 1 st June 2010 to 30 th August 2010. Anaemia (Hb <11gm/dl) was classified as microcytic, normocytic or macrocytic. Peripheral blood film, serum ferritin, haemoglobin electrophoresis, serum C-reactive protein and stool microscopy were done. Risk factors were looked for in cases of iron deficiency anaemia. Results: Among 331 enrolled children, 201 (61%) had anaemia, among them 63 (31%) had iron deficiency anaemia. Lower the socioeconomic status, higher was the rate of anaemia. Prematurity and low birth weight was significantly associated with anaemia. Poor feeding practices including colostrum rejection, non-exclusive breastfeeding, early/late weaning and inappropriate weaning diet were important risk factors. Gender was not found as a risk factor. Conclusion: A large proportion of hospitalized children under three years of age were found anaemic, among them iron deficiency anaemia was most common. The study result emphasizes the importance of identifying the risk factors of anaemia in this age group. Raising awareness of the problem and providing health and nutrition education will be the key interventions to prevent and control this huge public health problem in Bangladesh.

Background:The overall prevalence of intellectual disability is approximately 2-3% in the general population and can be caused by genetic and environmental factors. Genetic factors include chromosomal anomalies, single-gene disorder, deregulation of imprinted genes, and multiple malformation syndromes without an identified genetic basis and idiopathic. In Bangladesh, the genetic diagnosis of dysmorphic patients has not yet been well established. Therefore, gestalt diagnosis has a crucial role in establishing the differential diagnosis, management, counseling and genetic diagnostic approach. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness and necessity of gestalt diagnosis on the suspected genetic syndrome with intellectual disability and comorbidities. Methods: This prospective study was conducted at Dhaka Shishu Hospital during the period from December 2017 to May 2018. The study included 21 children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who attended OPD and Mental Health

Introduction: Outpatient services usually cost less, because you don't need to stay overnight. Staff members at outpatient centers are well trained in the service they provide. Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) are a heterogeneous group of conditions that share a commonality of abnormal development and functioning of the brain. Paediatric Neurscience Department of Dhaka Shishu Hospiatal provides outpatient services for the children having neurodevelopmental problem without an overnight stay. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical patterns of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders of children attending in the OPD in the clinic. Materials and methodology: This retrospective study was conducted in the Outpatient department of Neuroscience Department of Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital where a multi-disciplinary team comprising a physician, developmental therapist and child psychologist used to give service. Patients were contacted in Outpatient department of Neuroscience Department who were enrolled in OPD registration from March’2019 to August’2019. A total 3632 out patients were selected for the study. Data were organized and prepared on a spreadsheet. All statistical tests were run on SPSS for Windows version 16.0 software. Results: Total 3632 patients attended the OPD clinic. Nine hundred and two (902) patients were referred to other clinics. Most of the patients (400) were referred for general assessment and ( 400) mental health clinic, Ninety (90) for psychological assessment, Seventy nine(79)for admission, Seventy one (71) to SAHIC for hearing assessment and the lest fifty five(55) patients were referred to SLC(speech, language clinic) respectively. From the patients most of them (24.59%) had motor delay. Then 21.28% had cerebral palsy. After that20.76% had epilepsy/seizure, 14.84% had other neurological disease, 8.89% had speech problem, 6.53% had mental health problem (ASD/ ADHD/ Behavoural problem). 0.85% had ...........