Impact of alternate day prednisone therapy on statural growth parameters in nephrotic children

Estimation of statural growth velocity, standard deviation, score differences as well as bone maturation in 24 nephrotic children receiving alternate day prednisone therapy revealed normal growth rate in 90% of them. Accelerated height growth attainment was observed in 2 children while decelerated rate of growth was observed in three patients. High dose of prednisone given on daily basis, because of a relapse during the period of observation, and/or increased sensitivity of these patients to corticosteroid actions can explain their decelerated growth. These data indicate that alternate day prednisone therapy [for at least 6 months] did not affect normal height attainment in the majority of nephrotic children

Protein losing enteropathy in measles

Serum and faecal alpha-1 antitrypsin concentration as well as alpha-1 antitrypsin clearance were measured in 10 malnourished children with measles, 10 well nourished children with measles, as well as 10 age matched normal Egyption children. Serum alpha 1-antitrypsin concentrations were significantly lower than normal in both groups of measles. The intestinal clearance of alpha-1 antitrypsin was significantly high in the malnourished group. The dual effect of measles [usually sever in PEM] and mal-nutrition on the intestinal mucosa makes it more permeable to plasma proteins

Study of some platelet functions in children suffering from measles and chicken pox

The present study included 16 children with measles and 20 children with chicken pox [diagnosed by history and clinical examination] and 8 healthy children as a control group. The children with measles and chicken pox were divided into two groups : moderately and severely ill subgroups. Each subgroup involved comprised 8 children in measles group and 10 cases in the chicken pox group. None of the studied cases had showed haemorrhagic manifestations. All cases were examined and the following investigations were carried out : Platelet count, specific platelets function test [platelets adhesiveness, and aggregation] Coagulation study [prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time] and fibrinolytic study [euglobulin clot lysis time, serum FDP level]