Patterns of skin diseases at the Jordanian Hospital in Gaza

To describe the patterns of skin diseases among patients who attended the Dermatology Clinic at the Jordanian Field Hospital in Gaza. This study was conducted at the Dermatology Clinic at the Jordanian Hospital in Gaza during the period between October 2010 to December 2010. A total of 2446 patients were included in the study. Age range varied from newborns to 80 years. A specially designed medical record abstract form was used for each patient separately which included age, gender, source of referral, presentation and diagnosis. Diagnosis was mainly based on clinical back ground, histopathological investigations -if required- and different specialty consultation [Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine]. Simple descriptive statistical methods [frequency, mean and percentage] were used to describe the study variables. Eczema and its variants were the commonest presentation; 738 patients [30.2%], followed by Acne vulgaris; 611 patients [25%], parasitic infections, were diagnosed among 412 patients [16.8%], diffuse hair loss was found among 398 patients [16.3%], fungal infections; 112 patients [4.5%]; 64 [2.6%] patients suffered from bacterial infections and 36 [1.5%] of them were diagnosed to have viral infections. Genodermatoses was the least presentation among 4 patients [0.2%], and 29 patients [1.2%] were referred to Internal Medicine and Psychiatry clinics for more evaluation and management; as their skin manifestations represented a sign of internal disease or it was based on psychiatric disorders. Eczema was the commonest presentation and Genodermatoses were the least common presentation at the Jordanian Field Hospital in Gaza

Bart's syndrome: a case report

Bart's syndrome is defined as congenital localized absence of skin, oral mucosal lesions and dystrophic nails associated with epidermolysis bullosa. It is an inherited condition as autosomal dominant with complete penetrance but variable expression. We report a rare case of a near term male newborn born to non-consanguineous parents who presented with congenital absence of skin in scalp, face, trunk and extremities. He has dystrophic and deformed fingernails with multiple areas of blistering and erosions. Clinical appearance and skin biopsy was sufficiently distinct to suggest the diagnosis of Bart syndrome

Ichthyosis congenita harlequin type: a case report

This is a case report of a rare and severe form of congenital ichthyosis involving skin, eyes, ears, mouth, feet and hands. Unfortunately, the patient died at the fifth day of age due to severe cardio-pulmonary compromise

Relationship between the onset of facial palsy during pregnancy and the development of gestational complications

To asses the relationship between the onset of facial palsy during pregnancy and the increased incidence of gestational and foetal complications. This is a retrospective study of thirty six female patients who presented with facial palsy during pregnancy or puerperium, and were identified by hospital records in the ENT and obstetric gynaecology clinics at King Hussein Medical Centre in Jordan over ten years period between January 1995 and January 2005. Information were recorded about medical and obstetrical history, time of onset of facial palsy and associated maternal complications including gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, delivery mode, premature delivery and increased incidence of caesarean section as well as foetal complications such as low infant birth weight, congenital abnormalities and twin births. Over a period of 10 years, 36 pregnant women with facial palsy were seen in the ENT and obstetric gynaecology clinics at King Hussein Medical Centre. The peak time of onset of facial palsy was in the 34[th] week of gestation. Pre-eclampsia was diagnosed in nine pregnant women [25%], while gestational hypertension was diagnosed in three patients [8.3%]. The overall incidence of both pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension was 33.3% [12 patients], which is six times more than in general population. The incidence for caesarean section is 38.9% [14 patients], and 33.3% [12 patients] for induced vaginal delivery, 25% [nine patients] for preterm delivery, and 19.4% [seven neonates] for low birth weight [less than 2500g]. These rates were also higher than in general population. It has been found that the incidence of congenital anomalies 2.7% [one baby] and twin births 5.6% [two twins] are within the general population rates. Facial palsy in pregnancy is associated with gestational and foetal complications, particularly in the third trimester. This information should be taken into consideration by all physicians involved in the counselling of these patients. Further studies are advised to support the results of this study

association between lichen planus and hepatitis C virus infection

recently many authors have studied the association between hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection and Lichen planus. Most of these studies did show increased incidence of HCV infection among patient with Lichen planus, but some did not to study the association between hepatitis C virus infection [HCV] and Lichen planus in a group of our patients. seventy patients with lichen planus were tested for HCV antibodies and the results were compared to that of a healthy group of blood donors. three patients out of the 70 patients with Lichen planus were positive for antibodies to HCV in contrast 42 out of the 2000 persons in the control group were positive. our results showed that there is increased frequency of HCV infection among patients with Lichen planus