Prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency among children with epilepsy

Objective: To study the prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency among children with epilepsy

Methods: This prospective study conducted on 40 children with epilepsy receiving antiepileptic drug immunotherapy for more than 1 year [Group I], 20 newly diagnosed epileptic children before receiving any medications [Group II], and 20 healthy children as controls [Group III]

Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and serum parathyroid hormone levels were measured in all children for evaluation of vitamin D

We studied the associations of various factors with hypo vitamins is D, including patient gender, age and body mass index, as well as type of epilepsy, frequency of seizures, antiepileptic drug regimen [enzyme inducer versus non-enzyme inducer], and dose of antiepileptic drug and duration of treatment

Results: In group, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was [50%], vitamin D insufficicency was [20%], and vitamin D sufficiency was [30%]. In group II, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was [30%], vitamin D insufficiency was [30%], and vitamin D sufficiency was [40%]. In group III, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was [20%], vitamin D insufficiency was [20%], and vitamin D sufficiency was [60%]

In the groups of studied children, females were associated with deficient and insufficient vitamin D levels, while males were associated more with sufficient vitamin D level, which was statically significant [p<0.001]. Obese and overweight children were associated with deficient and insufficient vitamin D levels, while healthy weight children were associated more with sufficient vitamin D level, which was statistically significant [p].001]. Among children treated withcarbamazepine, [80%] of children had deficient vitamin D and [20%] had sufficient vitamin D, while in valproate group, only [20%] of children had deficient vitamin D, [40%] had insufficient vitamin D and [40%] had sufficient vitamin D, which was statistically significant [p<0.001]. Prolonged duration of treatment was associated with insufficient and deficient vitamin D levels, which was statistically significant [p<0.001]. However, no associations of the remaining factors including age, type of epilepsy, frequency of seizures, and dose of antiepileptic drugs with hypo vitamins is D

Conclusion: Hypo vitamins is D is highly prevalent among children with epilepxy at diagnosis and during treatment with antiepileptic drugs. Female gender, increasing BMI, antiepileptic drugs [carbamazepine, Na valproate] and prolonged duration of treatment were associated with increased risk of hypo vitamins is D

Effect of dietary enzymes supplementation on growth performance, immune response, some blood parameters and carcass quality of broiler chicks

One hundred and twenty, day old age healthy cobb broiler chicks were used to study the influence of dietary supplementation of enzymes on growth performance, immune response, some blood parameters and carcass traits of broiler chickens. Broiler chicks were allotted into four groups; chicks of group 1 [the control] were fed on basal diet only, chicks of group 2 were fed on the basal diet supplemented by Deltazyme plus [registered sign] at 0.5 g/kg diet, chicks of group 3 received 95%basal diet +5% wheat bran and chicks of group 4 received the same diet of group 3 supplemented with Deltazyme plus [registered sign] supplementation improved significantly [P 0.05] increased in chicks of group 4 when compared with those of group 3. Dietary enzymes supplementation [groups 2 and 4] reduced daily feed intake when compared with those groups 1 and 3 respectively. Dietary supplementation of Deltazyme plus [registered sign] at 0.5 g/kg diet improved significantly [P

Effect of dietary supplementation of different levels of garlic powder on performance and immune response of Japanese quail

This work was conducted to study the effect of dietary supplementation of different levels of garlic powder [0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 g/kg diet] for 7 respective groups [45 birds/ group] on body weight development, body gain, relative growth rate, feed conversion ratio, immune response, some blood parameters and carcass traits of Japanese quail chicks. At the end of experiment it was observed that there were no significant differences in body weight development, total body gain or total FCR in quail chicks of all groups supplemented with garlic powder at different levels when compared wit the control group. The total RGR was highest in quail chicks of group 2 when compared with the control unsupplemented group or other supplemented garlic powder groups. The total feed intake was increased in groups supplemented with garlic powder at different levels but slightly decreased in quail chicks of group 6. There was a significant increase in HI titer to ND in groups 5, 6 and 7 at 14[th] and 42[nd] day of age; also, there was a numerical increase in lymphocyte and monocytes count, SGOT and SGPT in all groups receiving garlic powder supplementation when compared with the control group. There was no significant difference between quail chicks supplemented with garlic powder at different levels in serum alkaline phosphatase levels, WBCs, RBCs, dressing%, gizzard weight%, heart weight% and immune organs weight when compared with those of the control one. Serum cholesterol levels and serum triglycerides levels were significantly decreased in quail chicks fed diet supplemented with all levels of garlic powder when compared with those of the control group. There was numerical of the control group. There was a numerical decrease in body fat% with addition of garlic in all supplemented groups when compared with the control group

Acute pancreatic nine years of surgical lCU experience

Acute pancreatitis has a variety of presentations from self-limiting abdominal pain to development of local and systemic complications resulting in sepsis, multi-organ dysfunction, extended intensive care stay and death. Very good quality of life in survivors justifies an optimal therapy in an intensive care setup. The records of 91 patients with acute pancreatitis were reviewed retrospectively. There was a significant difference [p<0.001] between those with edematous pancreatitis and those with necrotic pancreatitis as regards the length of ICU stay and severity scores: Ranson and SOFA [Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment]. The most common cause of pancreatitis was biliary [70.3 percent] followed by hyperlipidemia [12.1 percent], post ERCP [5.5 percent], trauma [4.4 percent], idiopathic [6.6 percent] and in one case, ascariasis. Common associated diseases were hypertension [33 percent] and diabetes mellitus [25.3 percent]. Six patients with necrotic pancreatitis died. It is concluded that acute pancreatitis treated in an intensive care unit has a favorable outcome and that a combination of Ranson and SOFA scores with CT index helps in establishing the prognosis

Synthesis and characterization of benzylidene-[1,3,4] thaidiazol -2-yl-amine

This study was designed to synthesize chemically 2-aminothiadiazole derivatives and conversion to Schiffs base. The principle synthesis of these compounds was to involve three steps: First: by thermal cyclization of thiosemicarbazied with carbon disulfide in the presence of potassium hydroxide dissolved in anhydrous ethanol to yield 2-amino-5- mercapto-l,3.4-thiadiazole. Second: by thermal cyclization ofthiosemicarbazied with substituted carboxylic acid and sulphuric acid, to yield 2-amino-5-R-I,3,4-thiadiazole. Third: Schiff 's base formation by reflux of aromatic aldehyde with 2-amino-5-R-l, 3, 4-thiadiazole in the presence of ethanol. The chemical structures of all prepared compounds were confirmed by spectral data [UV-visible and 1 R spectroscopy] tables [1, 2, and 3]

Hemolytic uraemic syndrome associated with pregnancy

Hemolytic uraemic syndrome [HUS] and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura [TTP] are described as acute syndromes with multisystem abnormalities and pentad of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolysis, neurological symptoms, renal impairment and fever. Both diseases were believed to form a continuum of the same disease, but recently it was found, that they were having a different pathophysiology, as TTP patients have a deficiency in von wilbrand factor [vWF] cleavage protease. When renal involvement is severe with little or no neurological manifestation, this microangiopathy is termed as haemolytic-uraemic syndrome. If the hemolytic uraemic syndrome is not associated with diarrhoea, it is called D-negative or atypical HUS. This subdivision is ofetiological and prognostic importance. TTP-HUS is associated with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Treatment of these syndromes differs from syndrome of hemolysis with elevated liver enzymes [HELLP syndrome] and acute fatty liver of pregnancy hence accurate diagnosis is important for optimal therapy. Plasma transfusion and plasmapheresis have revolutionized management of TTP and HUS by increasing survival 80% to 90%. Here we are reporting a case of D-negative hemolytic uraemic syndrome associated with pregnancy causing in-trauterine fetal death. Diagnosis made on clinical and he-matological findings, successfully treated by plasmapheresis with residual maternal renal impairment. We are presenting this case, as it is rare disorder associated with high mortality and morbidity, to increase awareness about disease, its diagnosis and management