Cardiac echinococcosis: echocardiographic diagnosis with a fatel clinical outcome

Hydatid disease HD is an endemic disease found in various regions of the world. The organs mostly affected are the liver and lung. Cardiac involvement in HD is rare. The symptoms are mainly due to the mass effect of the calcific hydatid cyst obstructing the blood or the lymphatic vessels. Other manifestations are secondary infection or cyst rupture in the involved organ. Here, we report a middle aged female patient with no history of medical illness who presented to the emergency room with an unrecordable blood pressure. Echocardiogram showed multiple calcific cysts of echinococcosis granulosa in the left ventricle cavity. In the clinical setting, where there is detection of HD elsewhere in the body, an echocardiogram is mandatory as cardiac involvement is serious and may be fatal

Evaluation of lithium carbonate in treatment of bronchial asthma in children

The present work was designed to study the value of lithium carbonate in the long term therapy of asthmatic children and to measure the serum level of lithium in these patients after one month of treatment. No previous studies had measured serum lithium level in asthmatic children compared with healthy controls. There was significant difference in symptom score, PER and frequency of asthmatic attacks between placebo and lithium groups [only those receiving 20 mg/kg/day]

Detection of subclinical CNS affection in patients with SLE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of BAEP and EEG in early detection of subclinical CNS affection in cases of SLE. Abnormal BAEPs and EEG were found in [42%] and [48%] of the cases. This study emphasizes the role of neurophysiological testing as integrating part of CNS evaluation in patients with SLE and not more sensitive test

Study of urinary IgA in children with protein energy malnutrition

In this study, we measured 24 hr. urinary IgA and serum IgA in 20 male malnourished children [10 marasmus and 10 kwashiorkor] and 10 healthy children as control group, 8 cases have documented urinary infection. Malnourished children were found to have significantly lower urinary IgA and higher serum IgA than control group. Urinary IgA levels in our patients were not significantly related to the presence or absence of urinary infection. It was concluded that low urinary IgA in malnourished children might predispose them to urinary infection. The possible mechanisms behind the observed results were discussed

Detection of the presence of measles antibodies in vaccinated children

The present study aimed at detection of the presence of measles antibodies in children one and two years after vaccination with live attenuated measles vaccine at either 9 or 12 months of age. It was conducted on 46 children aged 2 or 3 years from those attending the outpatient clinic of Alexandria University Children's Hospital. The percentages of children having detectable post-vaccination antibodies against antibodies against measles were 63.64% and 54.55% in those vaccinated at 9 months one or two years after vaccination respectively and were 75% for those vaccinated at 12 months, one or two years after vaccination, with no significant difference between the 4 studied groups

study on electrocardiographic changes in vitamin-d-deficiency rickets

This study was conducted on 30 infants and young children with active rickets ranging in age between 9 and 30 months [mean 16.5 +/- 5.11 months] and ten normal control children of matching age. The diagnosis of rickets depended on the clinical signs and was confirmed by x-ray examination of the wrist joint and determination of serum levels of calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase. ECG was done for the patients and the control children. Inspite of the normal serum calcium level analysis of the results proved that cases of rickets gave ECG findings similar to those of hypocalcemia: prolonged Q-T and Q-Tc intervals, abnormal T wave [93.3% of cases] inverted T wave [70% of cases] and presence of U wave [one case]

E-rosette forming cells in children with pertussis

This work is an attempt to study one of the parameters of cell mediated immunity [CMI] in cases with the clinical syndrome of pertussis, by quantitation of the T-lymphocytes by the E-Rosette technique. For this purpose, twenty cases with pertussis and twenty healthy children were subjected to full clinical examination, complete blood picture and the E-rosette test. The mean total leucocyte count, the percentage and absolute lymphocytic counts were significantly higher in children with pertussis. Also, the mean percentage and absolute T-cell count by the E-Rosette test were significantly higher in pertussis patients

Liver functions in febrile children treated with some antipyretic drugs

This work is carried out on 45 febrile children from both sexes, their ages ranged from 3 - 12 years, with upper respiratory infection, they were divided into three equal groups. The 1[st] group treated with aspirin, the 2[nd] with acetaminophen, the 3[rd] with dipyrone in therapeutic doses. None of the cases had clinical features of hepatitis. Every child in the study was subjected to a thorough history taking, physical examination and measurement of serum transaminases [SGPT, SGOT], serum glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT] and prothrombin activity [PTA] were done before and after administration of each drug. The results revealed significant increase in SGPT, SGOT, GGT after administration of each drug accompanied with insignificant change in [PTA] in all cases The results obtained were discussed

study on the effect of salicylates on the liver functions during varicella infection

The effect of salocylates on the liver functions during varicells in fection and their relation to the pathogenesis of Reye's syndrome was studied in twenty cases of varicella taking aspirin and ten cases without aspirin therapy. The results showed mild elevation of SGPT, SCOT in the course of uncomplicated varicella infection. The normal levels of CGT would question but not exclude the hepatic origin of elevated transaminases. After aspirin, the increases in SGPT, SGOT and CGT was in boh varicella cases and control cases denoting that aspirin affects liver function, ans is one of the factors that result in Reye's syndrome

Evaluation of the combined therapy with Salbutamol and Beclomethasone inhalers in chronic severe Asthma in children

Study on 70 children with severe chronic asthma for the therapeutic effects of salbutamol [ventolin] inhaler followed by beclomethasone dipropionate [becotide] versus the effect of either inhaler alone was done. Four parameters were used to assess the state of asthma and to evaluate the efficacy of each regimen of treatment used. These were: the symptom score, frequency of asthmatic attacks, school off days and the peak expiratory flow rate measurements. The three regimens were found to be effective in controlling the disease in most patients. The combined therapy was more effective and more rapid. However, being more expensive, it should be restricted to patients not responding well enough to one of the 2 drugs alone

Fluid therapy in paediatric surgical emergencies a simplified scheme and its clinical application

A scheme is presented for fluid and electrolyte therapy in paediatric surgical patients. It was applied on 31 infants and children undergoing various surgical procedures. During application of the scheme frequent clinical assessment as well as laboratory estimation of serum electrolytes were undertaken. The clinical response was satisfactory in the majority of cases. The scheme could be applied safely to children and infants requiring emergency operation without the help of laboratory estimation except in few complicated cases. The response to intravenous fluid therapy in 31 newly born infants and children undergoing major surgery has been studied. The plan of treatment was designed to provide for correlation of dehydration if present and for maintenance of normal fluid and electrolyte levels. Solutions of glucose and of sodium chloride in varying concentrations were used to relief the dehydration, resume urinary flow and restore tissue fluids. Potassium salts were added to these solutions at the proper time. The scheme included an initial phase of 40-80 ml/kgm body weight, a maintenance quantity of 100-150 ml/kgm body weight and a replacement therapy for losses of 20 ml or more per kgm body weight. Cases with marked distension and low sodium levels and those with low potassium serum levels were given special attention. Laboratory estimations of sodium and potassium serum levels were undertaken on admission, and on the first and second post-operative days. Clinical progress in response to intravenous fluid therapy was satisfactory in the majority of cases. Since confidence in the present plan of treatment has increased, it can now be applied to children and infants requiring emergency operation without the help of laboratory estimation except in some complicated cases

Intestinal obstruction in the new-born

This paper deals with 20 cases of neo-natal intestinal obstruction admitted in the paediatric surgical unit during the period from 1958 to 1965. Of these, 5 cases were due to Hirschsprung's disease; 9 cases were due to intestinal atresia, 4 cases were due to malrotation and 2 were due to obstructed Omphalocele. The clinical picture, diagnosis and management are described. Intestinal obstruction in the newborn is a difficult and important pediatric and surgical problem. Most cases are due to congenital obstructive anomalies. Twenty cases of intestinal obstruction in the neonatal period are presented and discussed. The operative management and results of treatment are outlined