Serum lipid profiles with and without CAD: Jordan Hyperlipidaemia and Related Targets Study [JoHARTS-1]

We measured fasting serum total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], and low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C and HDL-C] levels in 5000 individuals. Coronary artery disease [CAD] was present in 31%. Compared with women, men had lower mean TC, LDL-C and HDL-C and higher mean TG. Optimal TC level was observed in only 46% of men and 41% of women, and optimal TG in 42% of men and 50% of women. Only 3% of men and 12% of women had HDL-C > 60 mg/dL. Mean TC was not different in CAD patients and those without CAD, but mean TG was significantly higher and mean HDL-C was lower. In all age groups, low HDL-C was more prevalent among men and women who had CAD

Urinary tract infection in children

Urinary tract infection is predominant among school age girls. It may be complicated by renal scarring and other complications if not diagnosed early and properly treated. 108 children with proven U.T.I. based on colony count > 105 organisms/ml were included in the study. All cases were examined clinically and investigated by laboratory tests and radiologically [abdominal U.S., plain U.T. and I.V.U. and in some cases V.U.C. or DMSA scan]. E. coli was the most offending organism in the series [71%] followed by Klebsiella [15.3%], Pseudomonas [5%], Proteus [4.7%] and Staphylococci in 4% of patients. Renal scarring was detected in 17 cases [15.7%]. V.U.R. was encountered in 4 out of 14 children [28.6%] having renal scarring, which was not associated with renal and ureteral stones. No single radiological imaging technique is adequate for diagnosing various genitourinary abnormalities. I.V.U. is more accurate than U.S. in detecting renal scarring and some congenital anomalies like duplex collecting system. V.U.C. can detect different grades of reflux, while DMSA scan is the most accurate in diagnosing renal scarring

Nephrocalcinosis in very low birth weight with family history of renal stones as risk factor

A follow up of 23 VLBW survived from 57 very low birth weight neonates [less than 1500 g] and 69 normal newborns [control] were included in the study. Serial renal ultrasonography was carried out to all neonates. Three of VLBW had a family history of renal stones [parturients], 2 of them developed nephrocalcinosis [66.7%]. In the other 20 neonates with VLBW and negative family history of renal stones, none developed nephrocalcinosis. In the control group, 65 had no family history of renal stones, while only 4 had positive family history, none of them developed nephrocalcinosis. It is concluded that nephrocalcinosis is more prevalent in very low weight neonates and is significantly associated with a family history of renal stones [66.7%]. Such neonates should have serial US assessment for the kidney and early blood tests for kidney function should be followed up thoroughly and cautiously after treatment with furosemide. Proper management of parturients with renal stones is mandatory to avoid premature delivery and its complications