Background & Objectives: Yogurt is recommended as a treatment for acute diarrhea. This study was conducted to determine the effect of pasteurized yogurt consumption on acute non-bloody and non-mucoid diarrhea in hospitalized 6-24 month old infants as compared with that of routine treatment.

 Methods: In a clinical trial study 80 children with 6 to 24 months of age with diarrhea for less than four days and were hospitalized in Urmia Imam Hospital, were assigned into two groups. The first group consumed yogurt containing streptococcus thermophilus and lactobacillus bullgaris 5 ml/kg per day while the second group received the routine treatment. Those suffering from malnutrition, bloody stool and diarrhea without GI source were excluded. Reduction of diarrhea frequency to half compared to admission time was regarded as response to treatment. Weight gaining, duration of admission and reduction of diarrhea frequency were compared in two groups.

 Results: The two groups were not significantly different in terms of age, weight and frequency of diarrhea at the time of admission. Mean hospitalization days, weight gaining, reduction of diarrhea frequency were 2.7±0.91 days, 435± 89.30 grams, and 4.30±1.74 times respectively for case group and, 3.1± 0.74 days, 383 ± 98.96 grams, and 3.60±1.23 times for control group respectively. No significant differences were observed between two groups regarding mean hospitalization days (P=0.035), reduction of diarrhea frequency (P=0.049) and weight gain (P= 0.017).

 Conclusion: Consuming pasteurized yogurt as a probiotic agent has a positive effect in treatment of acute nonbloody and nonmucoid diarrhea. Public use of yogurt is recommended.

  Background&Objectives: Febrile convulsion is a disease with good prognosis but its mismanagement leads patients to serious complications. T his study was conducted to compare practice guidelines with current practices in the management of children with first febrile convulsion.

  Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of first febrile convulsion in Imam-Khomeni hospital of Urmia in 2004. The data were collected from their hospital records. Practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) were employed as reference. Current practices were compared with AAP recommended practice parameter about simple febrile seizure. Investigations performed included lumbar puncture, complete blood count, CRP, ESR, blood glucose, serum calcium, serum electrolytes, renal function tests, urinalysis, urine, and blood culture, chest X-ray, EEG and CT scan.

  Results: T wo hundred fifty one cases aged 6-60 months were studied. Complete blood count, ESR, CPR, blood glucose, serum calcium, serum electrolytes, renal function tests, urinalysis, urine culture, and blood culture in all cases (100%), lumbar puncture in 10%, chest X-ray in 24%, EEG in 1.4% and CT scan in 0.65% of cases were the measurements conducted.

  Conclusions: The present study showed that the use of unnecessary investigations was common. Investigations, though costly, proved to be of little diagnostic value. This problem can be alleviated through a well-organized national program or observing AAP practical guidelines.