Study of neurological soft signs in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

This study was performed to provide data on the prevalence of neurological soft signs in children with Attention Deficit hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] and detect its correlation with intellectual function and age of the child. Fifty patients with ADHD according to the DSM-IV criteria [mean age, 9.3 years, SD= 1.51 years] participated in the study. They were referred from the outpatient clinic of psychiatry at Assiut University hospital and from the private clinics of the staff members of neuropsychiatry, were evaluated with the Cambridge Neurological Inventory to assess neurological soft signs and Stand ford Binet 4th edition to assess the intellectual and cognitive functions. Fifty healthy controls matched with patients groups in Age, sex and socioeconomic state were assessed using the same tools. A significantly high incidence of neurological soft signs was fund in the patient's group and statistically insignificant among ADHD subtypes with significant negative correlation with IQ and age of the child. The Spearman correlation coefficient between NSS score and IQ and age are 0.672 and 0.283 respectively [p=<0. 001, 0.009]. Presence of neurological soft signs in ADHD is a non-specific marker of neurological abnormality but indicate poor intellectual and cognitive Junctions of ADHD

Bone disease in upper Egyptian transfusion dependent pediatric B-thalassemia major

Thalassemia and the blood transfusion complications associated with it predispose children to poor bone health. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of bone-related abnormalities within this population. Forty two transfusion-dependent beta thalassemic subjects 5-19 years old in Assiut, Egypt, participated in this cross-sectional study. Medical history by interview and review of medical records, physical examinations including anthropometric measures and puberty assessment, and bone densitometry using DEXA and height adjustment were performed. The incidence of underweight and short stature was 73.8% and 69%, respectively, which were indicators of malnutrition among thalassemic subjects in this study. Low bone density [BMD Z-scores < -2] was detected in the lumbar spine and femoral region in 54.7% and 95.2% of subjects, respectively. But after height adjustment they became 11.9% and 64.3%, respectively. Forty-seven percent of patients had a history of fractures and the cumulative risk for which increased almost with age. Seventy-eight percent of patients reported bone pain, whilst back/hip pain was present in 69% of thalassemic children and adolescents. Genu valgus deformity and scoliosis were seen in 40.5% and 11.9% of patients. High incidence of low bone density and deficit in other aspects of bone health among thalassemia patients makes routine bone health assessment necessary for this vulnerable group. Considering influencing factors, dietary counseling and preventive supplementation therapy for this high risk group of children and adolescents may be necessary, although this should be assessed by intervention studies

Evaluation of hoffer Q formula in short and long axial lengths

Evaluation of The accuracy of Hoffer Q formula for intraocular lens [IOL] power calculation in short and long axial lengths of the eye. 100 eyes divided equally into 2 groups: group 1 [50 eyes] with axial length more than 24.5 and group II [50 eyes] with axial length more less than 22. Comparison between both groups was done as regards post operative residual refractive error after IOL implantation using Hoffer Q formula. Insignificant difference between the 2 groups as regard post operative residual refractive error. In short length eyes, the mean postoperative refractive error with Hoffer Q formula was 0.80 +0.33D. In long eyes, the mean postoperative refractive error was 1.23 +0.70D. The results show that the best performing formula was in short eyes [P = 0.012]. Insignificant difference as regards postoperative residual refractive error between both groups but Hoffer Q formula best performed in short eyes

Experience with plasmapheresis in patients with acute polyneuropathy at Maadi Hospital

The etiology and pathogenesis of acute polyneuropathy [Guillain - Barre syndrome] is not completely understood. Brettle et al. [1], were the first to use plasma exchange in the treatment of acute polyneuropathy on the basis of the humoral immunological abnormalities. Since the early eighties, a randomized trial of plasmapheresis in acute polyneuropathy at Maadi Hospital was began. The aim of the study was to determine whether plasma exchange is a safe procedure and whether it produced significant improvement in the condition more than or comparable to steroid therapy alone. The results indicate that plasmapheresis in the hands of experienced staff is a safe procedure and useful in reducing the duration of disability from this condition