Prevalence and assessment of the appropriate laboratory indices for screening of hemoglobinopathyies in southern Iranian newborns

Newborn screening is a systematic application of tests for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of certain genetic or metabolic disorders that may lead to mortality and morbidity if untreated. As stated by WHO, each year over 330,000 babies are born worldwide with a severe form of hemoglobinopathy. Newborn screening for hemoglobinopathies could become one of the most important methods of decreasing mortality and morbidity and mitigating rising healthcare costs. The diversity and heterogeneous distribution of hemoglobin disorders make it necessary to develop strategies at the country level. Overall, 499 healthy full term Iranian neonates were screened for hemoglobinopathies who were originated from Fars province in southern part of Iran. The screening was performed on cord blood samples collected on EDTA. Following sample collection, complete blood cell count cell indices, osmotic fragility test and hemoglobin electrophoresis were performed. Total prevalence of significant hematologic abnormal findings was 12.4% in this study, the most prevalent one was Alpha thalassemia [6.4%] followed by hereditary spherocytosis [4.8%], and sickle cell anemia [1.2%]. The total analysis for detection of Alpha thalassemia by mean corpuscular volume [MCV]

Leukemic infiltration of the appendix as an unusal site of extramedulary relapse: report of two cases and review of the literature

The appendix is an unusual site for extramedulary relapse in acute leukemia. The present case report describes two cases of late course acute lymphoblastic leukemia presented with leu-kemic infiltration of the appendix and complete remission of bone marrow. The signs and symptoms of the cases suggest that leukemic involvement of the appendix should be considered in the differential diagnosis of leukemia patients presenting with acute abdomen

Better results obtained by daily supplementation of iron drops in toddlers with iron deficiency anemia in Iran

The [Iron Supplementation Project] for anemic toddlers in Iran has not been subject to scientific studies yet. Since daily consumption of iron drops by children could bring about physical and mental problems, the aim of this study was to determine whether weekly doses of iron drops would also improve the iron status of children significantly. We determined the iron status of 12 to 21-month-old anemic toddlers receiving iron drops [ferrous sulfate] daily referred to health care centers in Shiraz. One hundred and four children were divided into two groups; one group receiving iron drops [1 mg/kg] daily as before, and the other group receiving iron drops weekly [3 mg/kg]. After three months children showed a significant increase in hemoglobin [Hb], mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], and mean cellular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC] levels. Although weekly supplementation led to a significant increase in Hb levels, daily supplementation had a significantly greater effect than weekly supplementation on the levels of mean corpuscular volume [MCV] and MCHC. We generally conclude that weekly iron supplementation is not suitable for anemic children