effect of mobile phone on the electrical activity of the brain in school children

Increasing use of mobile phones [MPs] by the growing vulnerable children in Egypt arouses the question about their effect on the electrical activity of the brain. To detect the early effects of MP use on the electrical activity of the brain in children. Study population: School-aged children of both sexes attending El-Sahel Teaching Hospital for mild illness. Thirty-three MP users and 40 non-users were given appointments after recovery to be recruited in the study. A questionnaire including psychiatric symptoms was filled followed by eliciting electroencephalography [EEG] after 5 minutes of MP use. The frequency of the psychiatric symptoms and EEG changes were significantly higher in the MP users than in non-users [p<0.05 and 0.01 respectively]. There is an increase in estimated risk [Odds ratio] of developing psychiatric symptoms and EEG changes in the MP users [3.9 and 5.8 respectively]. There was a significant increase in the frequency of the generalized paroxysmal waves in EEG among the MP users than non-users [33.3% Vs. 12.5% respectively] [p<0.01]. The effect of MP use on presence of psychiatric symptoms and on EEG in this study alarms the restriction of MP use by children

Relation between iron deficiency anemia and cognitive and behavioral disorders in school age children

A purposeful sample of 110 children from El-Sahel Teaching Hospital in the age group 6-13 years old with iron deficiency anaemia were evaluated for behavioral and cognitive functions by using Arab version of the Parent Teacher Conner's Rating Scale and IQ. The results showed cognitive and behavioral disorders in the form of irritability, emotional disorders, anxiety, phobic and social anxiety with average IQ in 85% of the studied children [93 children]. Treatment with iron supplementation was prescribed for all studied cases. Appointments were given after 9 months for follow-up. Only 49 children [52.7% of the treated group] were re-evaluated after 9 months. They showed correction of the anemic state in 83.7% of the follow-up cases. Irritability, depressive disorders and anxiety improved in more than 81% of cases. Emotional disorders, phobic anxiety and social anxiety improved by 63.1%, 50% and 40% of cases, respectively. IQ changes were significant but remained in the same average score

Possible effect of chemical air pollution on preparatory school students

This study was conducted to find the effect of chemical air pollution in an industrial area [Helwan and near by district] on health of school children age 12 years [228 students]. The results were compared with Shibin El Koum where pollution is expected to be low [122 students]. Growth as detected by weight, height and Wt/Ht/age preveale to be attached mainly in Ht measurements. Acute and chronic chest infections were highly prevalent. Over different forms of conjunctivitis ranging from acute type to pterygium and acute and eczematous dermatitis were common complaints. All differences were significant. SO[2], cements and other chemicals in cement industry were the possible causes