Correlation between steroid response and splenectomy in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura in Saudi Arabia

The study included thirteen patients suffering from chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP]. Their ages ranged from 1:13 Years [7 males and 6 females]. Seven of eight children [87.5%] with response to corticosteroids achieved a complete remission after splenectomy, whereas only one of five [20%] non-responders showed a benefit after splenectomy. Corticosteroid responsiveness was found to be a high reliable method of correctly indentifving those patients with chronic ITP who would benefit from splenectomy

Incidence of bacteremia among febrile children with sickle cell anaemia in Saudi Arabia

The study included ninety patients with sickle cell anaemia. Their age ranged from 9 months to 13 years [55 males and 35 females]. All patients were febrile with a range of temp 38-40 C. Six patients with age of 24 months or younger were bacteraemic with streptococcus pneumonia except for one who had meningitis and haemophilus influenze type b was recovered from CSF culture. The mean of temperature of bacteraemic group was 39.8 C and WBC count 22.333/cumm while that of nonbacteraemic patients was 39.4 C and W. B. C 16.200/cumm. The difference was statistically significant, only for WBC [P less than