The prevalence of paediatric dermatoses has risen in Iraq from 33.5% in 1987 to 40.9% in 2010. The objective of this study was to document the pattern of dermatoses in Iraqi children attending the outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 663 children under the age of 12 years who attended for dermatological consultation during 2008. The study showed that the prevailing dermatoses were as follow: infectious (32.3%), eczematous (20.8%), pigmentary (17.8%), papulosquamous (14.2%), drug-induced (4.5%), nutritional deficiency (1.8%) and miscellaneous (8.6%). The studied patterns of dermatoses were similar to that reported in other developing countries.

Clinical specialties outnumbered basic medical sciences specialties as specialty preferences. Personal interest and an anticipated higher income were the most influential factors contributing to specialty preference.

Introduction:Tooth decay (TD) is common in children with significant consequences on systemic well-being, growth and quality of life, as well as increasing the risk of decay in the permanent teeth.Aim:The aim of the present study is to define risk factors associated with deciduous TD (DTD) in Iraqi preschool children.Materials and Methods:From the 1st June to 31st December 2012, a case-control study was carried out on 684 children under the age of 6 years who attended Al-Aulwyiah pediatric teaching hospital in Baghdad. Clinical examination and World Health Organization caries diagnostic criteria for decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) were applied. Data including gender, residence, socio-economic status (SES), parental education level, parental smoking, tooth brushing frequency, type of feeding during infancy and the presence of any systemic disease in the child were sought.Results:The mean DMFT score in the case group was 2.03 ± 1.39, of which decayed teeth formed 1.93. Males had a higher mean DMFT (2.10 ± 1.08) than females (1.96 ± 1.70) but with no statistically significant difference. The study revealed that residence, SES, parental education level and tooth brushing frequency were dependent risk factors significantly associated with DTD. However, gender, parental smoking and pattern of feeding during infancy were not significantly associated with DTD. Only four children with systemic disorders (1.2%), namely asthma and congenital heart diseases, were noticed to have DTD.Conclusion:Pediatricians and dentists could provide dental preventive and screening measures. Confronting relevant risk factors associated with DTD and improving access to oral care services are suggested. In addition, promotion of oral health programs through school curricula is needed.

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