Renal functions in pediatric patients with beta-thalassemia major: role of renal color doppler

This work aimed to evaluate renal status in pediatric patients with beta-thalassemia by laboratory investigations and color Doppler sonography. The study included thirty-five children with beta-thalassemia major [age range 6-16 years] and 12 healthy children had laboratory investigation as well as renal color Doppler studies. The renal function was evaluated by studies of urine osmolality, urinary protein [Up], creatinine clearance [Ccr], fractional excretion of sodium [FENa], potassium [FEK] and uric acid [FEUA] and malondialdehyde [UMDA]. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen [BUN], serum creatinine [Scr], electrolytes, ferritin and alkaline phosphatase just before transfusion. Urine volume, high urinary protein to creatinine [Up/cr] and urinary malondialdehyde to creatinine [UMDA/cr] were investigated in the two groups. Color Doppler sonography was done to the thalassemic as well as the control groups. Assessment of the resistive index [RI] values of segmental vessels of the kidney was done. The results obtained confirmed the high frequency of renal abnormalities in beta-thalassemia patients and indicated some degree of proximal tubular dysfunction. This suggested that the damage might be caused by anemia and increased oxidation induced by excess iron deposits. The increase of serum K, P and uric acid in thalassemic children were attributed to the rapid erythrocyte turnover. The findings of high Up/cr and UMDA/cr ratio denotes proximal renal tubular damage secondary to oxidative lipid peroxidant mediated by iron overload. The elevated RI of renal arteries is an indication of active disease in tubulo-interstitial renal compartment. The study also proved that the use of renal color Doppler is helpful in early detection of renal affection in thalassemic patients, even in the absence of gray scale abnormalities

Popular urticaria among atopic and Non - atopic pediatric patients in Suez canal region: a parasitological and immunological study

This study aimed to identify the species of insects that might be responsible for papular urticaria [PU] and to study some immunological aspects of the disease among affected atopic patients [AP] and non- atopic patients [NAP]. This study included 40 urban pediatric patients with PU of different duration and ten healthy age matched control subjects. It was concluded that during summer, Culex pipiens is the most common cause of PU in urban areas of Suez-Canal region, followed by human fleas. Antibodies of the IgE class play a central role in insect bite allergy and PU, while antibodies of IgG class may be formed to either sensitize mast cells and basophils for a short period or help natural desensitization during a long-term exposure. Helper T-lymphocytes may initiate the immunologic response of PU, while suppressor T-lymphocytes may serve to terminate it

influence of DDE residue level in human blood serum and some other environmental factors on the occurence of breast cancer at Port Said [Egypt]

The present study was conducted to ascertain the relationship between DDE residue level in blood serum and the occurrence of breast cancer, the influence of some other blood constituents, such as cholesterol, triglycerides on the occurrence of the disease was also looked at. The implication of some relevant risk factors such as smoking, stress and some other environmental factors in the occurrence of the disease was also investigated. The study was performed on a group of 430 local women from the city of Port Said, North of Egypt, mainly married with an average age of 45 years. The study group included 210 cancer patients, 110 benign breast disease patients [BED] and a group of 1 10 normal women. Blood samples were collected from fasting women and serum was separated within an hour by centrifugation. Lipid profile analysis was performed immediately after separation on one portion of the separated serum. Residues of DDE were separated from the other remaining portion of serum and detected using an ECD-gas chromatograph. A questionnaire was designed to ascertain the influence of some risk factors on the occurrence of the disease. Residue level of DDE detected in breast cancer patients, BED patients and normal women had an average of 0.052mg litre, 0.062mg litre and 0.025mg litre respectively. Triglyceride level in breast cancer patients, BED patients and normal women had an average of 171, 156, and 81 mg respectively. Some of the risk factors studied had shown direct link with the occurrence of the diseases e.g. previous BED, smoking and frequent use of insecticides. The present results revealed some statistically significant difference in the concentration levels of DDE in serum samples of the three tested groups of women, indicating a likely involvement of DDE in the occurrence of breast cancer. Also the role of smoking, stress and other environmental risk factors is evident in Port Said city. A country wise plan had to be conducted in order to face this major health problem