Effect of zinc supplementation in children with asthma: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in northern Islamic Republic of Iran

There are conflicting reports about the benefits of zinc supplements in childhood asthma. This study examined the effect of zinc supplementation in children with asthma attending an outpatient clinic in Sari, Islamic Republic of Iran. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial over 8 weeks, 284 children on inhaled steroids were allocated to receive zinc supplements [50 mg/day] [n = 144] or placebo [n = 140]. Cases and controls had low initial serum zinc concentrations [61.8 [SD 7.3] microg/dL and 60.9 [SD 4.3] microg/dL]. After treatment, mean serum zinc level in the case group was significantly higher [129 [SD 20.4] microg/dL] than in the controls [63 [SD 8.6] microg/dL]. There were no significant differences in IgE levels before and after treatment. The case group showed significant improvements in clinical symptoms such as cough, wheezing and dyspnoea and in all spirometry parameters [FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC]

Chediak-higashi syndrome: a report of three cases from the north of Iran

Background: Chediak-higashi syndrome is a rare immunodeficiency [autosomal recessive] disorder that affects multiple systems of the body. It usually presents with occulocutaneous albinism, bleeding tendency and recurrent infections

Objectives: To presents different clinical manifestations of Chediak-Higashi syndrome. Study type, settings and duration: An observational study [case report] of three patients of Chediak-Higashi syndrome admitted at Boali hospital, Mazandaran University of medical sciences, Iran in 2012 and 2013

Patients and Methods: We described three cases of Chediak-Higashi syndrome with different clinical presentations

Results: First case was of an eighteen months old girl child admitted with fever and vomiting. Previously she had history of twice hospital admissions due to lower respiratory infection at the age of 2 weeks and 2 months. Physical examination showed hepatosplenomegaly multiple hypopigmentation on face and extremities, bluish iris and silver hair. Second case was of a two month's old baby girl suffering from hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, also known as accelerated phase. On physical examination patient was febrile. She had bleeding tendency and hepatosplenomegaly. Important heamotological finding was pancytopenia. Third case was of a 23 month old boy admitted with recurrent otitis media and pneumonia. He had silver colour hair and skin [hypopigmentaion]

Conclusion: Chediak-higashi syndrome is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder with different clinical presentations

[Evaluating the relationship of the pre-term, method of delivery and breastfeeding with asthma]

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pre-term delivery and breastfeeding with asthma. We studied 228 asthmatic patients who were referred to the Allergy Department in Children's Medical Center [Tehran]. Asthma was diagnosed based on the history, physical exam and dspirometery [if possible] by an allergist. Pre-term and method of delivery was on delivery card and breastfeeding duration [divided 6 months or more], was based on Mothers statement to gain data and was analyzed by T-test. 228 asthmatic patients [aged 5-17 years] of whom were 132 Males and 96 Females. 216 cases were term and 12 cases pre-term. Exclusive breastfeeding duration for at least 6 months was reported in 183 cases. Cesarean section was in 78 cases [34.22%], while normal delivery was observed in 150cases [65.78%]. In this study, breastfeeding [at least 6 months] and normal delivery can be decreased by asthma; however, pre-term delivery was not affected by the asthma prevalence

[Cornelia De lange syndrome and representation of an infant patient]

Cornelia De Lange is a rare congenital syndrome with multiple anomalies including; Facial dysmorphism, hirsutism, height, weight and head circumflex retardations, cardiac defects, gastrointestinal and renal defects and extremity anomaly. Prevalence of this syndrome is 1 to 30000 or 1 to 50000. The diagnosis of this syndrome is based on clinical evidence. Genetic foundation is known to have two forms including dominant autosomal and is X linked. Often mutations are NIPBL and SMC1L1. The aim of this paper is to show a case of Cornelia De Lange syndrome

Adverse reaction following intravenous immunoglobulin in primary immunodeficiency patients

Intravenous immunoglobulin is used for primary immunodeficiency disorders. There have been some reports that intravenous immunoglobulin causes side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate intravenous immunoglobulin side effects in immunodeficiency patients. The study utilized the data of 29 primary immunodeficiency patients that were referred to allergy and immunology department in Medical Children Center in Tehran. 29 patients having completed record data files in the hospital, were the subjects of this study. Of 29 immune deficiency patients [aged 15 months to 55 years], they were 19 Males [65/51%] and 10 [34/48%] Females. Prevalence of disorders include common variable immunodeficiency 16 [55/17%], Bruton disease 8 [27/58%], hyper IgM 4 [13/79%] and severe combined immunodeficiency 1 [3/44%]. Based on the recorded data, the duration of infusion has been 5 months to 15 years. 15 patients had reported side effects [51/72%]. 34 infusions from the total of 1,626 infusions accompanied with side effects [2/09%]. Most side effects were occurred during 30 minutes onset of infusion and most were caused by rapid infusion. Most side effects were mild reactions [fever, chills and ...]. Intravenous immunoglobulin is a rather safe drug with mild side effects. With an appropriate technique and proper infusion, these side effects can be reduced

Thyroid autoantibodies in chronic urticaria

Urticaria is characteized by the appearance of pruritic erythromatous. Itcommonly involves the trunk and extremities. Acute urticaria is a very common Clinical problem occurring in as many as 10-20% of the population Chronic urticaria Persists more than 8 weeks and may occur in individuals of any age. We evaluated thyroidautoantibodies in chronic urticaria in which allergy skin prick test was Negative and serum IgE was within normal limits. We studied antiperoxidase and antihyroglubolin antibodies in 60 patients with chronic urticaria, aged 14 to 64 years Old, 47 women [78.3%] and 13 men [23.17%], by the ELISA method. We also did CBC, ALT AST, Cr, S/E, ESR, BUN,HBSAg, Anti HCV and H. pylon antibodies,thyroid founction test that were negative. All tests were within normal limits, and 57[95%] were normal thyroid function tests. But in 22 cases [36.6%] the results of autoantibodies were as follows: Antiperoxidase in 3 cases [13/6%],Antithyroglubo in 9 cases [41%],Both autoantibodies in 10 cases [45.4%],Total 22 cases [36.6%]. Sixteen patients out of 22 received 0.1mg Levothyroxin daily for 2 months. Remaining 6 patients were treated only anthistamin to serve of control group.70% out of 16 treated with Levothyroxin showed complete or partial response to treatment. This - shows that there is an association between thyroid Autoantiboies and chronic urticania. The interesting outcome of this study is that the majority of cases were Euthyroid, 57 cases [95%]