ABSTRACT
This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dipstick tests [leukocyte esterase and nitrite] in diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [SBP] in cirrhotic patients. Forty six children with ascites hospitalized between 2009 and 2010 in Children Medical Center were enrolled in this study. Reagent strip assays for leukocyte esterase and nitrite were performed on ascetic fluid and the results were compared to manual cell counting and ascitic fluid culture. SBP was defined as having a polymorphonuclear ascites count of >/= 250/mm[3]. Twenty children were female and twenty six were male with mean age of 3 +/- 3.9 years. The sensitivity specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the leukocyte esterase reagent strips were all 100%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the nitrite reagent strip test were 100%, 97%, 90% and 100% respectively. Leukocyte esterase reagent strips may provide a rapid, bedside diagnostic test for the diagnosis of SBP
ABSTRACT
This study was aimed to determine prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and rickets in children with cholestatic liver diseases. Forty eight children with established cholestatic liver disease who referred to gastrointestinal clinic of Children Medical Center [Tehran, Iran] between April 2010 and March 2011 were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Laboratory analysis including calcium, phosphate, albumin, total and direct bilirubin, aminotransferases, alkalinephosphatase [ALP], prothrombin time [PT], parathyroid hormone [PTH], total protein determined by routine laboratory techniques. Mean age of participants was 299.1 +/- 676.8 days [range 2-3600 days] whereas twenty one were female [43.8%] and 27 [56.3%] were male. Twenty two [45.8%] had evidences of rickets in X-ray evaluation. Three children with rickets and two with normal X-ray had Vitamin D deficiency while ten in rickets group and 16 in normal group had Vitamin D insufficiency. The main underlying diseases were anatomical biliary atresia in cases with rickets and idiopathic in other group. Rickets and Vitamin D deficiency should be considered in chronic cholestatic children.