relation of body mass index and blood pressure in Iranian children and adolescents aged 7-18 years old

The obesity and hypertension are the major risk factors of several life threatening diseases. The present study was aimed to investigate the relation between body mass index [BMI] the validated index of adiposity and different aspect of blood pressure [BP]. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures and also weight and height of 7 to 18 years old children and adolescent collected in 2002 and 2004 respectively. Data was consisted of 14865 schoolchildren and adolescents from representative sample of country. BMI was classified according to CDC 2000 standards into normal [VMI<85th percentile], at risk of over-weight [BMI >/= 85th and <95th percentile] and overweight [BMI >/= 95th percentile]. Then, age-sex specific prevalence of being overweight was derived. ANOVA was used to investigate the effect of BMI on systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure of participants. Mean systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP] and mean arterial blood pressure [MAP] significantly increased with BMI [P<0.0001] and age groups [p<0.0001], and was significantly [P<0.0001] higher in boys than girls especially in older ages. [P<0.0001, interaction of age and BMI level]. The proportion of being overweight was significantly higher in boys than girls was [7.4% vs. 3.6%; P< 0.0001]. There is an association between BP and BMI in children and adolescence. SBP, DBP and MAP are associated with rise in BMI and age, which was lower in girls. This data can provide basics for public health policy makers and primary prevention policies in the country

[Correlation of null Btk expression and gene noncoding mutations in XLA patients]

X-linked agammaglobulinemia [XLA] is a primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by recurrent bacterial infections, profound lack of serum antibodies and reduced circulating B lymphocytes. Mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase gene [BTK] result in XLA. It is shown that absence of Btk protein expression may be accompanied by no mutations in coding regions in some cases, instead alterations in conserved regulatory domains of promoter and the first intron of BTK gene maybe occurred The aim of this study was evaluation of Btk expression and mutation analysis in coding and regulatory regions of the gene. In this study, eleven XLA patients were enrolled. Btk expression was analyzed by western immunoblotting method. Mutation analysis was carried out in eight patients. In three cases, PCR of the regulatory regions was performed with designed primers, followed by sequencing. According to western blot, normal Btk expression in three patients and null expression in eight others was observed. Mutation analysis showed two novel BTK mutations in two patients [1038-1040 delAGG and IVS8-2delA]. No coding or regulatory region mutations were found in three cases with null Btk expression. Based on these results, three cases with null expression and had no coding or regulatory region mutations are interesting. It is possible that some rare regulatory defects may have been occurred, other than conventional sites. This must be taken into account for future investgations

[Immunological evaluation of children with recurrent ear, nose, and throat [ENT] infections]

Recurrent and chronic infections of ear, nose, and throat [ENT] such as sinusitis [rhinosinusitis] and otitis media are one of the most common health care problems worldwide and significantly impact quality of life in both children and adults. Antibody deficiencies are the most common type of primary immunodeficiency and also the most likely to present with recurrent ENT infections. A study was carried out to search for underlying immunodeficiencies in 103 patients with recurrent or chronic ear, nose and throat infections. Serum total IgG, IgA, and IgM levels were measured by kinetic nephelometry, and IgG subclasses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. All patients were immunized intramuscularly with polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine [PENEUMO 23]. Blood samples were drawn immediately before and 21 days after vaccination and antibodies to pneumococcal antigens were measured using a modified ELISA technique. Of 103 patients twenty one [20%] were found to have an immunodeficiency. One had a common variable immunodeficiency [CVID], 5 had selective IgA deficiency [one of them was associated with IgG2 deficiency and one with specific antibody deficiency]. Eight patients had IgG-subclass deficiency including seven with an IgG2 deficiency and one patient with IgG3 deficiency. In 75 patients antibody titers of whole pneumococcal antigens were determined before and 21 days after immunization. Ten patients were found to have abnormally low antibody titers. The results of this study suggest that in a subpopulation of patients with a long standing history of ENT infections, a low serum immunoglobulin concentration or hypo responsiveness to pneumococcal antigen would be associated with susceptibility to recurrent infections

[Evaluation of gasteroesophageal reflux in infants with cow milk allergy]

Cow milk allergy can present as many gasteroenterological manifestations like gasteroesophageal reflux [GER]. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of GER in infants with CMA in Imam Khomeini Hospital [2002-2003]. 51 children with CMA were evaluated. Radiographic and endoscopic assessments were performed in GER suspected cases. These cases underwent challenge test and after 2 weeks with cow milk-free diet, they were evaluated again. 5 cases [10%; 3 females and 2 males] had concomitant GER [age ranged 3-17 months, mean age: 10.6 months]. 3 patients took only mother's milk and 2 cases were fed with both mother's milk and formula. All mothers took dairy cow products in their daily diet. Skin prick test was positive in only one infant. Interestingly, after 2 weeks of cow milk protein-free diet both allergic and GER manifestations disappeared. Evaluation of children with CMA for concurrent GER seems to be necessary, because treating CMA can control GER as well, suggesting an association between the two conditions. Thus an additional antireflux treatment in these patients can be prevented