Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. A rare paediatric disorder

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva [FOP] is an extremely rare autosomal dominant form of connective tissue disorder, with complete penetrance and variable expression, most of cases represent new mutation. Incidence of the disease is 0.1-0.6 per million. We report a 33 month- old male Libyan child, with bilateral hallux varus and disabling heterotopic osteogenesis in predicable anatomical patterns, occurring spontaneously or after trauma, started at the neck and over time, these heterotopic formations progressed more distally and caudally with resulting restriction of neck mobility and limited movements in other anatomical areas. Therapeutic measures are essentially preventive and aimed at reducing the impact of trauma and falls and iatrogenic complications. The case is discussed with review of the literature

Breast-feeding and weaning patterns in Benghazi, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

An interview survey of 200 mothers attending the emergency service of Al-Fateh Paediatric Hospital, Benghazi, showed that prelacteal feed was given to 18.5% of babies and breast-feeding was ever initiated in 90.5%. After three months exclusive breast-feeding was continued in less than 30%, mixed feeding in 44%-71% and supplementary feeding [with and without breast-feeding] in 65%-97%. Locally consumed food like fruit juice, vegetables, cooked rice and cereals and boiled eggs in mashed form were used as supplementary foods. No association was revealed between the type of feeding and childhood episodes of any illness, including diarrhoea or acute respiratory infection. Measures for prolonged breast-feeding, substitute artificial feeding [when indicated] and supplementary feeding are suggested