Juvenile idiopathic oligoarthritis: analysis of 42 cases in Jordan

We conducted a retrospective chart review for all 42 patients, 9 males and 33 females, diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic oligoarthritis between July 1995 and October 2004 at the paediatric rheumatology clinic in King Hussein Medical Centre. Age range was 1.2- 15.2 years, mean 3.6 [standard deviation 2.4] years. Of those < 6 years, 80% were females. Most patients [64%] had monoarthritis; the knee was the most common joint affected [71%]. Two patients had developed extended oligoarthritis Nine [21%] had asymptomatic uveitis: 6 females [P = 0.350], 7 [77%] < 3 years of age [P= 0.301].and 7 [77%] with antinuclear antibodies [ANAs] [P = 0.071]. Eighteen [43%] females were positive for ANAs. Most patients had undergone unnecessary, lengthy work- up and treatment before diagnosis

Risk factors of birth asphyxia: a study at prince Ali Ben Al-Hussein hospitel, Jordan

The aim of this study was to determine the risk fators of birth asphyxia at the Prince Ali Ben Hussein Hospital, Jordan. Patient and methods: This prospective study consist of 97 newborn infants [57 males and 40 females who were admitted to the neonatal care unit of Prince Ali Ben Alhussein Hospital from the first of April 2002 till the end of January 2004, who were delivered with low Apgar score. Detailed maternal history was taken, regarding their age, parity, gestational age, complications and sedation during labor. Chi-squared [x2] test was used to assess statistical significance. Resutis: Total of 9602 live birth infants were born in Prince Ali Ben Alhussein Hospital from the first of April 2002 to the end of January 2004 and 124 newborn infants had Apgar scores < 7 at 5 minutes. The incidence of Apgar scores < 7 at 5 minutes was 12.9/1000 live born infants, Seizures occurred in 12 out of 97 newborn infants. There was no statistically significant relationship between birth asphyxia, severe asphyxia and birth weight, gestational age, parity of mothers and maternal disease. There was marked and significantly higher percentages of deliveries by emergency caesarean section among asphyxiated group compared to the control group. Conclusion and Recommendation: Prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, antepartum haemorrhage and maternal toxemia were associated with higher incidence of asphyxia. We suggest further inves- tigations to be carried out using a large sample size and including additional risk factors as lack of antenatal care and midwife interference