Congenital hydrocephalus in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia

Background: Congenital hydrocephalus, an important cause of neurologic morbidity and mortality in children, is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and the recent progresses in diagnosis of hydrocephalus as well as the changes in epidemiology and treatment outcomes of the disease

Methods: This is a descriptive study involved all neonates born in Maternity and child hospital in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia, KSA, during the period from 1 January to 31 December 2017. Among 6000 delivered infant in 2017; there was 23 cases of hydrocephalus. Data was collected by using predesigned questionnaire which include questions designed to fulfill the study objectives

Results: the prevalence of hydrocephalus among studied infants was 0.38%. Consanguinity between parents was reported among 60.9% of the cases. Other congenital anomalies reported, cardiac anomalies 39.1%, spina bifida 17.4% and cleft palate 8.7%. Cause of hydrocephalus was 65.2% hereditary and 34.8% infection [secondary cause]. Swelling of the eyelid, increased vascular clarity on the skull, transparent skin in the head, the child's tendency to sleep, disorientation, irritability and nervousness, high crying, weakness of feeding and vomiting, delayed child skills, convulsions, increased size of the head, the sun's sign in the eye and the child is always looking down were the symptoms reported by the cases. 56.5% of the cases had shunt insertion and 43.4% had ordinary medical treatment. 30.4% of the shunt cases were complicated [17.4% had shunt blockage with infection and fever, 13% shunt blockage and 69.6% had other complications]. Outcome of the case; 39.1% were stable, 13% worsen and 47.8% died [34.7% died by complications, 8.7% during operation and 4.3% did not receive treatment]

Conclusion: The prevalence of hydrocephalus is comparable to that of other countries. More research is recommended because it is probable that the real prevalence of congenital hydrocephalus was underestimated and no account of how often abortions are performed among mothers of hydrocephalic fetuses. So more efforts from the ministry of health is needed

Febrile convulsions in children, Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia

Background: Febrile seizure is one of the most common types of seizure in children aged between 5 months and 5 years and accounts for 30% of all childhood seizures, but it is generally considered benign. The objective of the study was to determine the percentage of febrile seizures in Pediatrics Emergency, Maternity and Children's Hospital of Arar City and to study some of the clinical and demographic characteristics of those children

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted during 6 months period, from 1 January to 30 July 2017. All admitted cases [0-12 years] presenting with seizures, both unprovoked and symptomatic [acute and remote], were enrolled. All children 0 to 12 years of age who were hospitalized at the emergency department with seizures were included in this study. Data was recorded in predesigned proforma including age, sex, nature of seizure, fever, history of head trauma, epilepsy, infectious diseases, previous history and family history of seizures and the final diagnosis was fulfilled

Results: Among the studied children presented to the emergency department with attack of convulsions 72.2% of cases had febrile convulsions and 27.8% of cases had convulsions due to other causes. The majority [49.1%] of cases were 1-3 years old. Most [87.7%] of the cases of febrile convulsions had generalized convulsions and in 84.2% it was the first attack but there was a history of repeated attacks in 15.8%. Family history of febrile convulsions was found in 15.8% of the cases

Conclusion: Febrile convulsions was the main etiology of convulsions in children admitted to emergency department of Maternity and Children's Hospital in Arar city. We suggested other researchers to follow the patients to show the recurrence of seizure and the prognosis in them, physical and neurological examinations and good history taking may provide important information for primary emergency physicians when evaluating children with attack of febrile convulsions

Predictors, complications and outcome of coronary artery bypass surgery patients attending the cardiac center of arar city, northern saudi arabia

Background: The increased incidence of cardiovascular disease between patients nowadays led to upsurge in the number of cardiac operations. After coronary artery bypass surgery, most patients remain free of symptoms for up to 15 years. The surgery also reduces the risk of heart attack and improves survival

Objective: to determine the predictors and outcome of coronary artery bypass surgery in patients attending the cardiac center in Arar, KSA all over the study period

Methods: The current study is a cross sectional study conducted during the period from September 2017 to March 2018. The current study included 72 individuals attending the cardiac center in Arar City. Collecting patients’ data was conducted through interviewing the patients included in the study and reviewing their medical files. A predesigned questionnaire was used for data collection

Results: We found that 81.9% of cases were males, 61.1% aged from 30 to 39 years old, 34.4% of cases have a myocardial infraction as a clinical diagnosis before the operation, 25% had angina pain, and 50.0% were smokers. Hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive lung disease were found in 59.7%, 83.3% and 77.8% respectively. There were 41.6% who had postoperative arrhythmia, 13.9% had bacterial infection in the site of operation and another 13.9% had hypotension, 11.1% re-operated due to bleeding, and 6.9% got postoperative acute myocardial infarction. After 6 month of the operation, 69.4% of cases were quite good while recurrence of chest pain found in12.5%, heart failure in 2.8% and 8.3% died. There was significant association between outcome of cases after 6 months of operation and patients age [P<0.05] and all the dead cases were males

Conclusion: Our findings indicated that, among cardiac patients attending the cardiac center in Arar, KSA, the preoperative characteristics are suggestive of 30 to 39 years old males with myocardial infraction, angina pain, smokers, have hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive lung disease is undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. The death rate was low and 69.4% of cases were quite good

Risk factors, post-operative complications and outcome of management of hip fracture in arar, northern saudi arabia

Background: Hip fractures are defined as any fracture of the femur between the articular cartilages of the hip joint to 5 cm below the distal point of the lesser trochanter. Hip fracture is a worldwide public health problem that primarily affects osteoporotic individuals and the elderly. Up to 30 % of the elderly patients with a hip fracture die within the first year

Objective: to show the risk factors and post-operative complications of hip fracture in cases attending orthopedic department of Arar Central Hospital in Arar city

Methods: a cross sectional study conducted during the period from 1 December 2017 to 31 March 2018. A predesigned questionnaire was used for data collection, and included inquiries about sociodemographic data of the studied patients, performing muscular exercise, osteoporosis, diminished vision and disorders in equilibrium, causes of fracture, type and site of fracture, occurrence of complications of surgery, postoperative care and the final outcome of treatment

Results: Most [70.1%] of the studied population aged 22-59 years, males constituted 59.8%. Causes of hip fracture were accident in 66.7% and fall in 25.0%. Among hip fracture cases, 43.9% were obese, 13.1% have osteoporosis, and 17.8% have disorders in equilibrium. Males reported insignificant higher percentage of hip fracture than females [25.0% Vs. 18.6%]. Osteoporosis, diminished vision, chronic diseases, continuous use of medications and smoking showed significant relation with hip fracture [P<0.05]. While BMI, disorders in equilibrium and performing muscular exercise showed insignificant relation. Complications after surgery was osteomyelitis in 12.6%, early fixation failure in 4.2%, wound infections in 8.4% and hospital acquires pneumonia in 4.2%. Only two thirds of the cases were completely cured

Conclusion: in our study population in Arar city, males reported insignificant higher percentage of hip fracture than females. Osteoporosis, diminished vision, chronic illnesses, continuous use of medications and smoking were significant risk factors of hip fracture. Complications after surgery was included, osteomyelitis, early fixation failure, wound infections and hospital acquire pneumonia. Only two thirds of the cases were completely cured, the rest of cases showed disability and movement limitation