Oral propranolol in treatment of infantile peri-ocular and orbital capillary hemangioma: a prospective study

To evaluate the effect of oral propranolol in the treatment of infantile peri-orbital and/ or orbital capillary hemangioma. We conducted a prospective study at Prince Rashid Bin Al Hassan military hospital between 5[th] of August 2012 and 29[th] of January 2013. Eleven patients with peri-orbital and/or orbital capillary hemangiomas were included in this study. All patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination. Capillary hemangiomas were assessed, reporting their size, location, extension, and effect on the surrounding structures. Follow up duration ranged from two to six months. The age of patients with peri-orbital and/ or orbital capillary hemangiomas ranged from three to 17 months with a mean of 7 +/- 4.92 months. Male: female ratio was 1: 1.75. The upper eyelid was involved in seven [64%] cases, all of them had ptosis, three [43%] had dystopia, one [14%] had imbrication, and one [14%] had squint. The lower eyelid was involved in two [18%] cases; one of them was associated with lower lip capillary hemangioma. Orbital involvement was seen in eight [73%] cases, six [75%] of them were associated with upper eyelid involvement and two [25%] with lower eyelid involvement. Concurrent extra-ocular localization of hemangiomas was present in five [45%] cases [one in lip, one in tongue, 2 in forehead, and one in cheek]. Duration of treatment ranged between one and 30 weeks with an average of 14.2 +/- 11.4 SD weeks. The dose of propranolol ranged between 1- 2 mg/kg with an average of 1.2 mg/kg and only one patient with upper eyelid and forehead extension needed 4 mg/kg. The color blanched in all patients after one week. The capillary hemangioma decreased in size after one week of treatment in two [18%] patients, and in all of them after one month. Complete regression of the hemangioma was seen in two [18%] cases one after two months and the other after 4 months of treatment. Five [45%] cases had astigmatism before the start of treatment [mean +/- SD, 0.9 +/- 0.379 D] diopters and improved to mean +/- SD, 0.56 +/- 0.586 D. Oral propranol can be used as a modality for therapy of infantile capillary hemangioma

Clinical and cytogenetic profile of down syndrome at King Hussein medical centre

To describe the cytogenetic pattern, clinical features and other systemic anomalies of patients with Down syndrome at King Hussein Medical Centre. Retrospective analysis of medical case files of Down syndrome patients attending the Genetics Clinic at King Hussein Medical Center was performed. A total of 87 patients were studied during the period between June 2007 to December 2009 [54 males and 33 females; M:F ratio 1.6:1]. The following information was recorded: age at presentation; gender; maternal age; craniofacial and other physical features; presence and type of congenital heart disease, gastrointestinal abnormalities, hearing assessment, ophthalmic evaluation, complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests, thyroid function tests, and results of cytogenetic evaluation Out of the 87 patients studied; ophthalmologic abnormalities were detected in 20 out of 67 patients whose eye examination was available. Congenital heart disease was found in 41 [48.8%] cases out of 84 patients who underwent Echocardiographic examination. Gastrointestinal anomalies were noted in 9 [11%] cases. Hypothyroidism was present in 17[22.7%] cases out of 75 patients. Results of chromosomal analysis were available in 80 patients and showed free trisomy [non-disjunction] in74 patients [92.5%], two [2.5%] had translocation, and three [3.8%] were mosaics and one patient [1.3%] had an additional chromosomal abnormality. Down syndrome is associated with a significant systemic abnormalities and is frequently seen among mothers younger than 25 years of age. Early diagnosis and proper screening should be undertaken among these patients

Marine animal injuries to children in the South of Jordan

The aim of this study was to report the common marine animal injuries sustained by Jordanian children. A prospective study of 152 patients, who sustained different marine animal injuries in the Gulf of Aqaba and treated at Princess Haya Hospital during the period from January 2004 to January 2006. One hundred and fifty two children who sustained marine animal injuries were managed with marked male predominance [9.9:1]. Injuries were most frequent during July [32.9%] and during the night [75%]. Sea Urchin was incriminated in 136[89.5%], while Lionfish and Stonefish were the cause of 14[9.2%] and 2[1.3%] respectively. All injuries were involving the limbs, with feet injured in 130 [85.5%] and h and s in 22[14.5%]. Only 20[13.1%] patients required admissions to the hospital. Although no deaths were reported, variable severe systemic and local manifestations were caused by Stonefish, whereas Sea Urchin and Lionfish presented mainly with local reactions. All patients injured by Stonefish were managed in the intensive care unit and Stonefish antivenom was given. Sea Urchin was the commonest cause of injuries while Stonefish was the cause of most serious injuries