Maternal weight, height, gestational weight gain and pregnancy outcome in adolescent females

To evaluate the effects of maternal weight, height and gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcome in adolescent females, 100 adolescent pregnant mothers below 20 years and 50 adult pregnant mothers 20-25 years, as control group, and their outcome were examined through a longitudinal study carried out in Egypt. Cases were followed up during pregnancy at delivery and till the end of first month of neonatal life. Original formulae were used to estimate pre- pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain. There was a positive relation between adolescent mothers weight, height and gestational weight gain and birth weight of their outcome and to a lesser extent with birth length and head circumference. All measurements of neonates of adolescent mothers were at the 10th percentile but weight was compensated later and reached a good increment after one month. It seems that, the classical neonatal risk factors associated with maternal young age could be minimized later in infancy with postpartum adequate nutrition

Serum fructosamine and lipids profile in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia

Serum lipid fractions [TC, TG, HDL, LDL and VLDL] and AF concentrations were estimated in twenty newly diagnosed leukemic children prior to initiation of therapy and ten healthy controls. The leukemic patients showed highly significant increase in TC, TG, HDL, LDL and VLDL values [p< 0.005] with highly significant decrease in HDL value [p< 0.005] compared to control. The fructosamine value showed significant decrease compared to control [p< 0.005]. The results suggest an abnormality in systemic lipid metabolism and abnormal serum protein turnover

Predicting diabetic nephropathy in insulin dependent diabetic children

Urinary microalbumin and B2 microglobulin were estimated by radioimmunoassay in fifteen insulin dependent diabetic children [IDD] and another fifteen healthy controls. The results showed highly significant increase in urinary microalbumin and B2 microglobulin in IDD patients compared to control [P < 0.005]. After diabetic control, urinary microalbumin and B2 microglobulin were significantly decreased [P < 0.005]. In conclusion, early diagnosis and good control of diabetes associated with screening tests for microalbuminuria would prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy

Urinary fibrinogen degradation products in children with hematuria

Urinary fibrinogen degradation product [U-FDP] concentrations were determined in 60 pediatric patients with hematuria using the latex particle agglutination test [LPAT] to assess the value of this test for the localization of the site of hematuria. The cases were divided into 2 groups, 30 cases each, according to the site of origin of hematuria. Only 4 cases [13.3%] with glomerular hematuria showed marked increase in U-FDP concentrations >0.25 ug/ml while, 26 cases [86.7%] with nonglomerular hematuria showed such high concentrations or more. The sensitivity and specificity of using U-FDP levels in localizing the site of hematuria was 86.7% both, which seems to be compensated with combined urine analysis for erythrocyte cylindruria. In conclusion, U-FDP concentrations by LPAT can help in localizing the site of bleeding in cases of hematuria