Cholelithiasis in childhood: a cohort study in north of Iran

Cholelithiasis rarely occurs in children but the increased use of ultrasonography has led to increased detection of gallstones in patients. The epidemiology and predisposing factors of cholelithiasis vary in different populations. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, predisposing factors and to evaluate management and outcome of patients referred to Amirkola Children's Hospital jn Babol. This cohort study was performed on children with cholelithiasis referred during 2000 to 2011. Cholelithiasis was diagnosed with ultrasonography. The data was obtained based on history, physical exam, clinical and paraclinical investigations and analyzed by SPSS version 18. P-value <0.05 was considered being significant. From the 66 patients with cholelithiasis, 39 [59.1%] were males. The mean age at diagnosis was 6.6 +/- 4.5 years. The most common predisposing factor included ceftriaxone therapy [27.3%], hemolytic diseases [13.6%], hepatobiliary diseases [7.5%] and cystic fibrosis [7.5%]. In 30.3% of patients, no predisposing factor was detected. The most common complaint was abdominal pain [67%]. Among the patients in whom abdominal X-Ray was performed, only 20% had radiopaque gallstones; 6 [9%] patients underwent cholecystectomy. According to this study, ceftriaxone therapy and hemolytic diseases were the most common predisposing factors in children with cholelithiasis in our area and cholecystectomy had not been needed in most patients

Maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran

The prevalence of parental violence has been an area of major public concern. There are few available data detailing the ways parents and other caregivers discipline children, particularly in low and middle income countries. This study focuses on the prevalence of different types of maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran. Participants in this cross-sectional study consisted of 562 mothers with the last child aged from 1 month to 12 years old who attended the Amirkola Children's Referral Hospital in Mazandaran Province, Iran, seeking healthcare services for their children. Demographic characteristics of the mothers, their children and reactions to conflicts with children were evaluated by a validated version of Conflict Tactics Scale for Parent and Child. Also, the relationship between maternal anxiety and child abuse was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The association between variables was examined by Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate regression. The prevalence of mother-to-child corporal punishment, severe physical abuse and very severe physical abuse were 436 [78%], 260 [46%] and 180 [32%], respectively. Verbal emotional abuse was reported by 506 [90%] participants and nonverbal emotional abuse was reported in 374 [67%] cases. A correlation was observed between child abuse and mothers' age [p=0.02], as well as with the number of children in the family [p=0.03], and the mothers' trait anxiety [p<0.001]. Overall, the assessment of maternal child abuse should be an important focus for evaluation in mothers with anxiety and vice versa, when child abuse is suspected, maternal psychological assessment should be essential.

Detecting common CFTR mutations by reverse dot blot hybridization method in cystic fibrosis first report from northern Iran

Cystic fibrosis and its distribution vary widely in different countries and/or ethnic groups. Common CFTR mutations were reported from Iran, but the northern population was not or underrepresented in those studies. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of common CFTR mutations in children from northern Iran. Thirty unrelated Iranian cystic fibrosis patients aged less than 11 years and living in Mazandaran province were screened for 5 common CFTR gene mutations. deltaF508, N1303K, G542X, R347H and W1282X using Reverse Dot Blot method. Only one mutation, DeltaF508, was found in 7 patients accounting for 21.7% [13/60] of alleles. These findings can be used for planning future screening and appropriate genetic counseling programs in Iranian CF families

[Common CFTR gene mutations in cystic fibrosis patients in Mazandaran province - Iran]

Cystic fibrosis [CF] is the most common inherited disorder in Caucasian populations caused by mutation in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator [CFTR]. The type of mutations and their distributions varies widely between different countries and/or ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to characterize mutations involved in this disease in Mazandaran province, Iran. In this descriptive study thirty unrelated Iranian cystic fibrosis patients were screened for deltaF508, N1303K, G542X, R347H and W1282X mutations in the CFTR gene using Reverse Dot Blot method during 2004-06. This technique uses biotinilated PCR products for simultaneous hybridization with several normal and mutant probes specific to known mutations fixed on Biodyne C membranes. DeltaF508 mutation was found in 13 [21.66%] alleles. 6 patients were homozygote and one was compound heterozygote for this mutation. These findings reveal an important heterogeneity of CFTR gene mutations in Mazandaran Province. Thus regarding the relative low rate of detectable mutations, it is necessary to undertake larger studies for molecular diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in this province