Blood lead levels and serum iron in hypochromic microcytic anemia in Egyptian children

This study was conducted on one hundred children suffering from hypochromic microcytic anemia after exclusion of thalassemic trait [A 2 >3.4%] and evaluation of serum iron and blood lead levels as an etiological factor. Twenty matched control children are included. According to serum iron and TIBC of our patients have iron deficiency anemia. And according to blood lead levels 59% of our patients have blood lead levels above the upper limit of Center For Disease Control [CDC] in 1985 [25 Ug/dl] and 91% of our patients have blood lead levels above the upper limit of CDC, in 1991 [10 Ug/dl]. Also we concluded that elevation of blood lead is more common in the children who exhibit pica and whose parent's are exposed to lead in their jobs, and whose mothers use newspapers and magazines in kitchen and in low socioeconomic group. Elevated blood lead is common in Urban children while iron deficiency is common in rural children. The blood lead is higher among school age than preschool age. According to blood lead levels, serum iron and TIBC we grouped our patients into: 43% have both iron deficiency and high blood lead levels. 27% have iron deficiency. 16% have high blood lead levels. 14% need further investigation to detect the cause of hypochromic anemia

Thalassemia intermedia and prevalence of anti-hepatitis C antibodies and other hepatitis markers

This study aimed to find out the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies [anti-HCVAb] and hepatitis B virus [HBV] markers in children with TI and their relation with age, sex, the number of blood units transfused and ferritin level in addition to determining the infection's effects or liver functions. Twenty-eight patients [13 males and 15 females] suffering from TI with a mean age 11.7 +/- 4.9 years were compared with 15 healthy children of the same age and sex. Complete blood count, hemoglobin electrophoresis, liver and kidney functions tests and ferritin level were done in addition to assessment of anti-hepatitis C antibodies [anti-HCVAb], hepatitis B surface antibodies [anti-HBcAb] by ELISA technique. In conclusion, HCV infection might be the cause of morbidity among the occasionally blood transfused thalassemia inter- media patients, even with their low rate of transfusion and even after the introduction of procedures to screen blood products for HCV. Egyptian blood donors should be effectively screened for anti-HCV and individuals who have a history of drug abuse should be deferred from donating the blood. This and stringent infection-control measures are necessary steps to limit the spread of HCV, HBV and perhaps other viruses to patients