Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies among newborns in Port-Said city

The present study was carried out to detect the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis among the newborns delivered at Port-Said General Hospital, and to reveal some factors related to the spread of this infection. The study included 200 cord blood samples taken from the newborns immediately after delivery. A case sheet was taken from each case including full obstetric history of the mother together with complete clinical examination of the newborns. Each blood sample was analyzed for Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA. Positive cases for IgM antibodies were subjected to eye examination, skull X-ray, abdominal ultrasonography and CT scan for assessment of the clinical complications of congenital toxoplasmosis. It was found that 19 cases [9.5%] and 7 cases [3.5%] out of 200 cases were positive for IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Out of the IgM seropositive newborns, 4 cases showed pathognomonic complications in the form of either hydrocephalus, meningoencephalitis, ocular [convergence squint] and/or abdominal [jaundice and splenomegaly] manifestations. Statistical analysis of the factors related to toxoplasmosis revealed significant relation to contact of mothers with cats, their illness during pregnancy [fever and lymphadenopathy] and the occurrence of congenital anomalies in the newborns. It was concluded that congenital toxoplasmosis among newborns in Port-Said city is not uncommon, and search for IgG and IgM antibodies before and/or during pregnancy is recommended especially in high risk groups

Secondary disaccharide intolerance in well-nourished infants and children with acute diarrhea

One hundred and eighty-eight well-nourished infants and children aged 2 months to 3 years suffering from suffering from acute diarrhea were tested for disaccharide intolerance - lactose and sucrose - using oral load tolerance tests. Thirty-six cases [19.1%] were lactose intolerant; eight of them [4.2% of total sample] were both lactose and sucrose intolerant. Prevalence of disaccharide intolerance was significantly higher in those less than one year of age and in those with increased frequency of motion, particularly over 10 motions/ day and in case of watery diarrhea. On the other hand, duration of acute diarrhea, type of feeding, sex, state of dehydration, vomiting, fever, presence of pus cells, blood or mucus and colour of stools had to no correlation with the prevalence of disaccharide intolerance. Early manipulation of feeds would protect 20-40% of target patients from specific metabolic problems and acidosis

ten year study of neonatal mortality trends and risk factors in Ismailia, Egypt from 1977 to 1986

An assessment of the trend of mortality in Ismailia city over ten years from 1977 through 1986 and factors affecting was carried out. Data were collected from all health offices, civil register offices and Health Directorate of Ismailia Governorate. Neonatal mortality rate ranged from 17.5 per thousand in 1979 to 8.9 in 1986, with an average of 13.03 per thousand live births. There was a steady decline over the last 6 years. Postneonatal mortality rate dropped from 78.55 in 1978 to 33.33 in 1985 with a highly significant statistical difference. A significant drop in infant mortality rate from 91.95 in 1978 to 42.8 in 1986 was reported. The percent proportion of neonatal mortality to total infant mortality averaged 22.9% [14.23% - 30.96%]. Early neonatal deaths accounted for 49.56% to 55.7% of total neonatal deaths while late neonatal deaths from 44.3% to 50.4% [p > 0.05]. Male deaths constituted 51.9% to 58.2% of total neonatal deaths. Female deaths represented 41.76% to 48.1%. The difference is statistically insignificant. Male to female deaths ratio was 1.22: 1 on the average. The neonatal deaths were highest in the first day. It comprised 22.27% of the total deaths in the early neonatal period. It gradually decreased till the seventh day, thereafter, it increased again. Insignificant seasonal variation of neonatal mortality was found, Mothers of less than 20 or more 40 years of age had highest frequencies of neonatal deaths of their babies. Congenital anomalies and prematurity were the main causes of early neonatal deaths, while diarrheal and respiratory diseases were the leading causes of late neonatal deaths. Neonatal deaths were significantly the highest for the first and fifth or more birth order and for families with unemployed fathers. These indicators will help the health authorities in designing and implementing a program aiming at reducing neonatal mortality rate

Risk factors for low birth weight infants

A cross sectional study of 500 live born infants [249 males and 251 females] in Port Said Hospitals was done to determine the 21% [105 /500]. Preterm infants, represented 43% and full term infants represented 57% of total LBW deliveries. Factors that may be implicated in the aetiology of low birth weight deliveries were studied. Certain aetiologic factors were found to have significant role in the delivery of low birth weight babies. These included, poor socioeconomic state, poor nutritional state, maternal age less than 20 years, maternal height less than 155 cm, chronic renal infection, hypertension, pre-eclampsia and twin delivery

Atopic nature of prurigo of hebra [PoH]: a comparative study of the clinicoimmunological picture in PoH, atopic and normal children

Twenty children with clinical features of both severe [Prurigo Ferox] and mild forms [Prurigo Mitis] of Prurigo of Hebra [PoH] were clinically studied to assure freedom of any allergic disorders. IgE IgG, IgA and IgM were estimated and compared with those of children with atopic disorders namely; atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. They were also compared with immunoglobulins of normal control children. IgE, IgG and IgM main levels in children with PoH showed a highly significant elevation over that of the normal control children. IgE mean level almost equalized that of bronchial asthma children. IgE mean level in children with atopic dermatitis was still higher than in those with PoH or bronchial asthma. IgG levels in Ferox form was as high as that in atopic dermatitis. Factors determining severity and distribution of PoH need to be clarified