Dietary intakes in asthmatic and non-asthmatic female pupils of Tehran

Dietary factors are suggested to be involved in recent increases in the prevalence of asthma. The differences in dietary intake of 23 asthmatic and 317 non-asthmatic students were investigated, who were chosen by multistage stratified cluster sampling. The dietary data were assessed by food frequency questionnaire and a 24-h recall form. Total calorie and fat intake were similar. Daily intake of Saturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, and calcium and sodium were significantly higher in asthmatics. There was no significant difference between dietary antioxidant intake of asthmatic and non asthmatics. It seems that in this age, the type of consumed fat may be more important than the amount of fat intake in inducing asthma. For accurate results, n-6 and n-3 fatty acid intake must be assessed. Higher sodium and calcium intake may also be associated with asthma. Randomized controlled trials with restricting diets can help to elucidate the results

Cytomegalovirus infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome

Infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome is a life-threatening condition characterized by prolonged fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and cytopenia-most commonly, thrombo-cytopenia and anemia. It is characterized by proliferation and activation of benign histiocytes, causing dysfunction of various organs. Herein, we report on a 5-month-old boy whose clinical picture and laboratory findings were consistent with cytomegalovirus infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous administration of immune globulin and ganciclovir. He remained well 6 months later

Evaluation of laboratory findings in children with wilson's disease in Emam Khomeini hospital during 1994-2003

Wilson's disease is a rare but treatable condition with variable clinical presentations. Its diagnosis depends on a combination of clinical and laboratory findings. We evaluated the clinical and laboratory findings in children with Wilson's disease [WD]. Twenty-seven children [4-14 years, 59.2% male, 40.7% female] with confirmed WD were evaluated between 1994 and 2003 at Imam Khomeini Hospital. Seventeen patients [64%] presented with liver abnormalities, 3[11%] with neurological features, 3[11%] with fulminant hepatic failure and 4[14%] were asymptomatic siblings of patients with WD. The presence of Kayser Fleischer rings, high urine copper excretion, low ceruloplasmin level, and elevated liver copper concentration were detected in 51.8%, 77.7%, 92.5% and 72.7% of patients respectively. We emphasize on clinical findings together with one or more laboratory findings as a diagnostic guide in WD and also recommend evaluation of serum ceruloplasmin level and 24 hour urine copper excretion particularly when liver biopsy may not be obtained

Evaluation of triple and quadruple regimens in eradication of helicobacterpylori infection in pediatric patients inEmam Khomeini hospital in 2002-2003: a randomized clinical trial

Triple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin and amoxicillin and quadruple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor, bismuth citrate, metronidazole and amoxicillin have been proposed in Maastricht 2000 as the optimal treatment of Helicobacterpylori infection. We aimed to compare these two regimens in Iranian pediatric patients.Arandomized clinical trial in Emam Khomeini Hospital between 1381 and 1382 was done. Patients with confirmed H. pylori infection by histology were divided in to two groups in a randomized 1:1 scheme.Triple regimen group: Clarithromycin 15 mg/kg/d, Amoxicillin 50 mg/kg/d and Omeprazole 1 mg/kg/day for 10 days.Quadruple regimen group: Omeprazole 1 mg/kg/d, Amoxicillin 50 mg/kg/day, Met-ronidazole 20 mg/kg/day and Bismuth citrate 8 mg/kg for 10 days. The eradication was assessed by c-urea breath test 4 weeks after the end of treatment and by perprotocol analysis.In our study, 100 patients [50 in each group] were found and the eradication rates in the triple and quadruple group were 92% and 84% respectively [p= 0.046].According to our results, we recommend triple therapy as first-line treatment in Iranian pediatric patients and quadruple therapy as a second line regimen