ABSTRACT
Acute glomerulonephritis is a common renal disease in children. It can be primary disease or secondary to systemic diseases. Various forms of glomerulonephritis have different prevalence and prognosis in each region. The present study was designed for evaluation of prevalence of various types of glomerulonephritis in Iranian children, their prognosis and related factors. This study was done on 140 children with diagnosis of glomerulonephritis between 1981-2002. Data about their types of glomerulonephritis, prognosis and presentation were obtained by referring to patient's files. The patients were aged 2-18 years and girls were more. The most common type of glomerulonephritis was lupus nephritis [34.28%] that followed by MPGN [24.28%]. Twenty percent of patients was recovered, 19.2% hypertensive, 31.44% chronic renal failure and 5.7% dead. The most related factors were severe proteinuria, type of glomerulonephritis, sonography finding. Mean renal and patient survival was 56.6+ /- 3.09 and 90.09 +/- 4.4 months respectively. In evaluation of children with glomerulonephritis, we must consider prevalence of various types of glomerulonephritis in the region and factors related to prognosis. It also is important that prognosis is related to more than one factor
ABSTRACT
With regard to high prevalence of icter, and Exchange transfusion as a therapeutic treatment, this study was carried out to determine the effects of exchange transfusion on biochemical parameters in newborns. One hundred fullterm newborns who needed exchange transfusion were studied. Blood samples were collected before and after exchange transfusion. They were divided into two groups based on either infusion of calcium glueonate or not receiving the drug during exchange transfusion. An increase in serum sodium and glucose level was observed but as for the potassium was not so significant. A decrease in serum bilirubin was seen. The effect of transfusion on serum bilirubia consists of a bone 65% decrease and then with a 31% rise after 4 hours. No significant difference was observed in serum calcium level between two groups, but 20% of newborns presented hypocalcemia symptoms. Exchange transfusion can affect biochemical parameters in newborns that must be considered specially in sick infants. Calcuim administration during exchange transfusion due to risk of hypocalcemia is recommended
ABSTRACT
Fatigue is a frequently occurring symptom in individuals with rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis [RA], and contributes to many disabilities in those patients. Several variables acting singly or in combination may contribute to the mechanism of this fatigue. The end result of these factors is the depletion of intracellular and extracellular adenosine triphosphate [ATP]. This study was conducted to assess ATP levels in patients with active and inactive RA, and its correlation to fatigue. Forty-two RA patients were chosen from the outpatient clinics of Al-Azhar University Hospitals, over two years duration [1999-2000]. Patients with suspected or evidenced to have myositis, or under corticosteroid therapy were excluded from the study. The patients were classified into two groups: active RA [22 patients], and inactive RA [20 patients]. Another group of 20 normal volunteer subjects was selected as a control group. RA disease activity, the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire including visual pain analogue scale [VAS], Ritchie's articular index, early morning stiffness, fatigue visual analogue scale [FVAS], and routine laboratory tests were all measured. Serum ATP was measured by modified enzymatic UV test. Early morning stiffness, Ritchie's articular index, hemoglobin level, pain score, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, were all increased significantly in active and inactive RA than controls, and were not correlated to fatigue. Serum ATP level was significantly lowered in active than inactive RA and controls, while it was not significantly different between inactive RA and normal controls, and it was highly significantly inversely correlated to fatigue as measured by the fatigue- visual analogue scale. The overall outcome of fatigue processes is the depletion of ATP stores, with resultant lowered intracellular and extracellular levels of ATP. Serum ATP level was the only reliable and precise factor for measuring fatigue in RA patients