genetic study of vitamin D deficiency rickets: 2-sex differences and ABO typing

In a further attempt to study the role of genetics in vitamin D deficiency rickets, 400 rachitic infants randomly chosen and aged from 6 months to 2 years [14.3 +/- 3.5 months] were investigated for sex differences and ABO typing. A significant [P < 0.001] predominance of the male sex was found, sex ratio being 1.43. Blood group A was significantly [P < 0.001] associated with rachitic patients whether males or females. Alkaline phosphatase values were significantly [P < 0.01] higher in male infants 91% of them had levels above 30 K.A. units, while the corresponding percentage of girls was 72%. This indicates that the disease is more severe among males. The study gives added support for the belief that there is a genetic factor in nutritional rickets

study of the coagulopathy of nephrotic syndrome and its relation to quantitative estimation of protein C

Ten children were having nephrotic syndrome during relapse, ten were during remission and the other twenty were normal children, age and sex matched as control. After good history taking and thorough clinical examination, complete urine examination was done, serum albumin, serum cholesterol, ESR, partial thrombo plastin time [PTT], and protein C antigen level in plasma. None of the children had any evidence of thrombo-embolic manifestations on clinical grounds. There was a significant rise of PC% in nephrotic children during relapse than in the remission group and the control. No significant difference was present between the nephrotic group in remission and the control group. A negative correlation was shown between serum albumin and protein C level, while there was a positive correlation between serum cholesterol and protein C level.As regards PTT there was a significant decrease in group A as compared to both group B and C although group A cases were showing no thromboembolic manifestation, yet still they have got the tendency to thrombosis

Adrenocortical function in Egyptian children with nephrotic syndrome

Plasma cortisol at basal level and 30 minutes after ACTH injection was determined in 30 children aged from 4-12 years by radioimmunoassay. They were classified as follows: 10 as normal control group and 20 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. They were from the pediatric nephrology clinic at Ain-Shams University Hospitals. 10 were at relapse and 10 were at remission. There was adrenocortical suppression in 50% of nephrotic patients. In patients at relapse the adrenocortical suppression was present in 70% [severe and moderate] while in patients at complete remission there was moderate suppression in 30% only. Cortisol substitutes were recommended in patients with adrenocortical suppression to prevent manifestations of suprarenal failure and to minimize the chance for subsequent relapses. Also the administration of ACTH was recommended. Results were discussed