Bone mineral density in Egyptian children with familial mediterranean fever

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever [FMF] has episodic or subclinical inflammation that may lead to a decrease in bone mineral density [BMD]. The objective of this study was to assess BMD in Egyptian children with FMF on genetic basis

Methods: A cross sectional study included 45 FMF patients and 25 control children of both sexes in the age range between 3-16 years old. The patients were reclassified into two groups, namely group I[A] with 23 cases using colchicine for 1 month or less, and group I[B] with 22 cases using colchicine for more than 6 months. For both the patients and control groups, MEFV mutations were defined using molecular genetics technique and BMD was measured by DXA at the proximal femur and lumbar spines

Results: Four frequent gene mutations were found in the patient group E148Q [35.6%], V726A [33.3%], M680I [28.9%], and M694V [2.2%]. There were also four heterozygous gene mutations in 40% of the control children. Patients receiving colchicine treatment for less than 1 month had highly significant lower values of BMD at the femur and lumbar spines than the control children [P=0.007, P<0.001]. Patients receiving colchicine treatment for more than 6 months had improved values of BMD at femur compared with the control, but there were still significant differences between them in lumbar spine [P=0.036]. There were insignificant effect of gene mutation type on BMD and the risk of osteopenia among the patients

Conclusion: FMF had a significant effect on BMD. However, regular use of colchicine treatment improves this effect mainly at the femur

Egyptian neonatal body physique profile in different economic classes

It is generally accepted that the pattern of future growth and development of any child represent the results of interaction between hereditary and environmental factors. The goal of this study is to determine if there were differences in the body size at birth in the high versus low economic classes. This study was distinctive in the sampling of two economic classes [high and low] in Egypt, and the use of seven anthropometric measurements and indices in addition to birth weight. The sample consisted of 1961 singleton full tern Egyptian neonates of low [n=816] and high [n=1145] economic classes. Egyptian neonates of high economic class are significantly advanced than low economic ones in body length [L], and sub scapular skin fold thickness [Subscap SF], while neonates of low economic have significantly higher values than others in mid-upper-arm circumference [MAC], triceps skin fold thickness [TSF], body mass index [BMI] and mid upper arm circumference [cm]/head circumference [cm] [MAC/HC] ratio in each sex separately, and in birth weight [Wt] for girls only. On the other hand, the values of head circumference [HC] are the same in the two classes. The economic class has an impact on fat distribution [peripheral, trunkal] as well as linear growth of Egyptian neonates, but has no effect on HC at birth. There is a tendency towards increase in nutritional anthropometrical indicators among the Egyptian neonates belonging to the low economic class compared to those of High economic class

Body mass index and adiposity of Egyptian infants and preschools

Body mass index [BMI] is widely used to assess childhood obesity, and to infer risk of subsequent obesity-related disease. The present study aims to examine:1] age-and gender-reared patterns in BMI and the body fat component throughout infancy and preschool childhood periods 2] correlations between BMI and total body fat mass and fat percentage 3] hypothesis that BMI is valid gender-specific measure of fatness that is dependant/or independent on age in a pediatric population. It was a cross-sectional study of 410 healthy, Egyptian infants and 512 preschool children of both genders, aged from 1 month to 5 years. Anthropometric assessment; body weigh and length/ height; was performed. Body mass index [BMI] [[Weigh in kg/Height in m2]] was calculated. Each child was examined by the bioelectrical impedance apparatus [BMI]] to measure the total body fat mass body fat percentage. Results show progressive increase in BMI, total body fat mass and body fat percentage with age in both boys and girls. BMI is more strongly associated with total body fat mass than with body fat percentage for both genders. The association between BMI and total body fat mass in both genders found to be dependent on the age across the first two years of life, then become consistent across age range 3-5 years. While, the association between BMI and body fat percentage is weaker in infancy than preschools and independent on the age for both sexes. The study concludes that, BMI appears to serve a surrogate marker for total body fat mass of preschool children and with considering the exact age during infancy period. The study recommends that Egyptian gender-and age- specific BMI cutoffs for defining children's overweight and obesity are needed