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

Association of Interleukin 27 gene polymorphism and risk of Hepatitis B viral infection in Egyptian population

According to the World Health Organization, Hepatitis B virus [HBV] is considered a major global public health problem. The genetic background may be a crucial etiologic factor in HBV infection and its complications. Interleukin-27 [IL-27] is a newly discovered cytokine encoded by 2 genes [EBI3 and p28]. Mutations in the IL-27 gene may lead to altered cytokine production and/or activity and thus modulate individual's susceptibility to HVB infection. This work was designed to study the association of IL-27p28 [964A/G, 2905T/G and 4730T/C] gene promoter single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] with the risk of Hepatitis B virus [HBV] in Egyptians. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first one that examines IL-27p28 promoter polymorphism in Egyptian patients. One hundred and sixteen patients with HBV infection and 101 healthy controls were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR/RFLP] in Egyptian population. There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-27p28 gene polymorphisms between patients and controls. Furthermore, no association was found between the distributions of the haplotypes and HBV risk. Our data suggested that polymorphisms in the IL-27 gene may not contribute to HBV susceptibility. Further studies with large sample size should be conducted to validate these results in Egyptian population

Adverse health problems among municipality workers in Alexandria [Egypt]

Solid waste management has emerged as an important human and environmental health issue. Municipal solid waste workers [MSWWs] are potentially exposed to a variety of occupational biohazards and safety risks. The aim of this study was to describe health practices and safety measures adopted by workers in the main municipal company in Alexandria [Egypt] as well as the pattern of the encountered work related ill health. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2013. We interviewed and evaluated 346 workers serving in about 15 different solid waste management activities regarding personal hygiene, the practice of security and health care measures and the impact of solid waste management. Poor personal hygiene and self-care, inadequate protective and safety measures for potentially hazardous exposure were described. Impact of solid waste management on health of MSWWs entailed high prevalence of gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin and musculoskeletal morbidities. Occurrence of accidents and needle stick injuries amounted to 46.5% and 32.7% respectively. The risk of work related health disorders was notably higher among workers directly exposed to solid waste when compared by a group of low exposure potential particularly for diarrhea [odds ratio [OR] = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-3.8], vomiting [OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.1-6.6], abdominal colic [OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1-3.2], dysentery [OR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.3-10], dyspepsia [OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1-3], low back/sciatic pain [OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.8-7], tinnitus [OR = 6.2, 95% CI = 0.3-122] and needle stick injury [OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 2.1 5.5]. Workers exposed to solid waste exhibit significant increase in risk of ill health. Physician role and health education could be the key to assure the MSWWs health safety

Salivary PCR detection of Helicobacter pylori DNA in Egyptian patients with dyspepsia

Several methods are available for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection: [1] invasive methods based on gastric biopsies, [2] non invasive methods like Urea Breath Test [UBT], serology and stool antigen tests. Importance of salivary PCR in detection of H. pylori is still questionable. To evaluate the role of salivary PCR technique in detecting H. pylori gastric affection in Egyptian patients with dyspepsia and in differentiating between functional dyspepsia and acid-ulcer syndrome. This study included 60 patients with dyspepsia classified into three groups: [Group 1] patients with gastric H. pylori and ulcers or erosions [n = 20], [Group 2] patients with gastric H. pylori and no ulcers or erosions and had functional dyspepsia [n = 20], [Group 3] patients without H. pylori and had functional dyspepsia [n = 20]. All underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies, rapid urease test and salivary samples for H. pylori PCR. Significant difference between the three groups regarding salivary PCR values. No significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 but both had significant difference with Group 3, significant difference between gastric H. pylori positive patients [n = 40] and negative ones [n = 20]. Salivary PCR test had sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 70% in diagnosing H. pylori. PCR value of 534000 Iu/ml had best sensitivity [75%] and specificity [100%] for diagnosing H. pylori, highly significant positive correlation between H. pylori gastric affection and salivary PCR values. No significant difference between patients with acid ulcer syndrome [n = 20] and those with functional dyspepsia [n = 40] as regard salivary PCR mean values. Salivary PCR test showed sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 50% in differentiating between patients with acid ulcer syndrome and those with functional dyspepsia. PCR value of 440000 Iu/ml had best sensitivity [100%] and specificity [55%] in differentiating acid ulcer syndrome from functional dyspepsia with non significant. H. pylori salivary PCR may be of value in diagnosing H. pylori gastric affection and is strongly correlated with it but it is of limited value in differentiating between acid ulcer syndrome and functional dyspepsia

Early detection of silent cardiac involvement using echocardiography in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Cardiovascular lesions are commonly found in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis [JIA]. Asymptomatic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction [L VDD] found in JIA, can lead to ischemic heart disease in the future. Knowledge of overt cardiac involvement may be important to improve the patient survival [1]. The purpose of the study was to verify whether there is any sign of cardiac involvement in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis [JIA] using electrocardiography [ECG]and echocardiography [ECHO]. The study was carried out on 52 patients, with [JIA], attended the outpatient clinics of Rheumatology, Pediatrics,Cardiology and Internal medicine departments of Assiut and AI-Azhar universities. They were free of any clinical evidence of cardiac manifestations. Twenty six apparenty healthy children of matched age, sex and nutritional status were included as control. All patients were subjected to complete history and physical examinations, X ray chest, ECG and two dimensional, M mode, continuous wave [CW], pulse wave [PW] and color flow Doppler examinations. The following investigations were done: erythrocyte sedimentation rate[ESR],antistreptolysin O titre [ASOT], C reactive protein[CRP], rheumatoid factor[RF],Antinuclear antibodies[ANA] and anti double strand DNA[anti ds DNA]. In the present study, despite no ECG changes have been found in all studied patients, a varieties of echocardiographic findings have been found. Pericarditis with effusion was detected in 2 [3.8%] of cases, aortic insufficiency was detected in 5 [9.6%], mitral regurge was found in 7[13.5%]. Significant diastolic dysfunction was manifested by decreased early diastolic flow velocity [E], E acceleration time [Eat], E duration [Edur], total duration [Totdur], early diastolic flow velocity /late diastolic flow velocity [E/A] ratio and late diastolic flow acceleration time [Aat] and increased late diastolic flow velocity [A], E deceleration time [Edt], isovolumic relaxation time [IVRT] and late diastolic flow deceleration time [Adt] ratio and increased [IVRT]. A significant positive correlation wase found between age andleft ventricular end diastolic diameter [LVEDD] and disease duration with both [LVEDD] and: left ventricular end systolic diameter [LVESD]. In conclusion, Cardiac involvement in JIA is common, mostly valvular regurgitation, pericardial effusion, pulmonary hypertension and systolic and diastolic dysfunctions. They are related to disease duration suggesting a subclinical involvement with disease progression. In recommendation, Regular cardiac evaluation using [ECG] and [ECHO] is recommended to detect overt cardiac involvement

CCR1 and CCR5 expressions on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocelluar carcinoma

Chemokine receptors [CCR1 and CCR5], have been implicated in hepatic inflammation and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. The present study aimed to investigate the expressions of CCR1, CCR5 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] of Egyptian patients with liver cirrhosis [LC] and HCC and their correlation to the severity of liver disease and the clinical features of HCC. Isolated PBMCs from 25 patients with HCC, 10 LC patients and 9 adult healthy controls were stained with monoclonal antibodies against CD4, CD8, CCR1 and CCR5, then detected by using a flow cytometry technique. Patients were diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound [US] and computed tomography [CT] scan findings, biochemical liver function tests, serum alpha-fetoprotein [AFP]. Our data revealed that CCR1 and CCR5 expressions in liver cirrhosis patients were significantly higher than healthy controls [P=0.008 and 0.053 respectively], as well as in HCC patients but the increment were not significant [P= 0.120 and 0.216 respectively]. The expressions of CCR1 and CCR5 were increased in liver cirrhosis than in HCC patients, but the increment were not significant [P=0.120 and 0.216 respectively]. However, both CCR1 and CCR5 were decreased with increasing number of liver tumor in a negative linear regression correlation. Patients with liver cirrhosis or HCC showed lower CD4 and CD8 T cells count compared with healthy controls. In Conclusion The up-regulations of CCR1 and CCR5 in patients with hepatic cirrhosis confirmed the activation of the CC chemokine system in human fibrogenesis and may play a role in recruitment of lymphocytes to the injured liver

Protective effect of balanites aegyptia on antioxidant deffense system againt adriamycin-induced cariac toxicity in experimental mice

Samir A. El Masry, Mohamed M. Ebeed, Ibrahim H. El Sayed, Mohamed Y. Nasr and Khalil A. El Halafawy. Protective effect of Balanites aegyptiaca on antioxidant defense system against Adriamycin-induced cardiac toxicity in experimental mice. Adriamycin is an anthracycline antibiotic that is widely used as a chemotherapeutic agent. However, usefulness of this agent is limited due to its cardiotoxic effects. Increased oxidative stress and antioxidant deficit have been suggested to play a major role in adriamycin induced cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure due to multiple treatments with adriamycin. The rationale of the present study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of Balanites aegyptiaca [B. aegyptiaca] as a source of the natural antioxidants against adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity in experimental mice. In present study, four groups [ten animals in each group] of experimental mice were used as follows: Group 1, mice not received both Adriamycin drug and B. aegyptiaca extract and served as a negative control group; Group 2, mice received Adriamycin intraperitoneally [2.5 mg/kg BW] in six equal injections over a period of two weeks for a cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg BW; Group 3, mice orally administered with B. aegyptiaca extract [400 mg/kg BW], through an intragastric feeding tube over a period of three weeks; Group 4, mice treated orally with B. aegyptiaca extract plus intraperitoneally adriamycin administration [2.5 mg/kg BW]. Serum Lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], Creatine phosphokinase [CPK], Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase [GOT], Glutamate pyruvate transaminase [GPT], Lipid peroxide [LPO], total Nitric oxide [NO]. erythrocyte lysate Superoxide dismutase [SOD], Glutathion peroxidase [GPx] and plasma Catalase [CAT] were measured in all tested groups. The results showed that, Adriamycin elevated the activities of LDH, CPK, GOT, GPT, LPO and total NO content in the mice heart tissue. Also, Adriamycin drug reduced the activities of SOD, GPx and CAT. Pretreatment with B. aegyptiaca extract significantly [p<0.05] prevented these alterations and restored the enzyme activities to near normal levels. Application of B. aegyptiaca extract with Adriamycin drug either reduced or completely prevented its toxic effects. So, these findings demonstrate the cardio protective effect of B. aegyptiaca on antioxidant tissue defense system during Adriamycin induced cardiac damage in mice. Therefore it could be recommended for further investigation in this potentially new indication for clinical application

Socioeconomic and environmental factors affecting malaria infection in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt

Malaria as a disease has been identified in Egypt since ancient times. Remnant residual foci are still localized in two districts; Sinnuris and Faiyoum, Faiyoum Governorate. The work focused on socioeconomic and environmental factors affecting malaria infection. The results showed that malaria infection increase with the decrease of socioeconomic level of families, educational level of examined individuals and among unemployed or students. The infection increase among those lived in muddy or bad constructed house near the breeding places. The infection decreased significantly among who owned animal sheds and had large number of animals. The indoors use of 5% mala-thion did not affect the malaria infection

Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in Egyptian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria [ASB] and associated risk factors were investigated in 100 Egyptian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 100 age and sex matched healthy controls. All were subjected to clinical evaluation and assessment of mean random blood glucose, mean glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAlc]; microalbuminuria and midstream urinary samples were collected for complete urine analysis and two consecutive urine cultures and sensitivity tests. The prevalence of ASB was higher among diabetics than controls [30% versus 14%, p<0.01] and was more among older age [p=0.033] and female patients [p<0.001]; especially postpubertal. Microalbuminuria [36.7%] and microvascular complications [50%] were significant risk factors for ASB in patients while metabolic control and disease duration were not relevant to ASB [p>0.05]. Pyuria was a strong predictor of bacteriuria in patients [80%] and controls [100%]. The most common isolates were E. coli in patients [30%] and Pseudomonas in controls [57.1%]. Gram positive isolates were detected in 46.7% of diabetic patients but not in controls. ASB is more prevalent among type 1 diabetic patients in the pediatric age group. Screening for ASB is warranted in diabetic patients with risk factors especially if pyuria is detected in their urine analysis

Malariometric parasitological survey in EI-Fayoum governorate, Egypt

Egypt represents the only focus in the Mediterranean region where Plasmodium falciparum transmission still occurs. A total number of 9065 individuals of different ages of both sexes were examined. 7236 [79.82%] individuals examined during [MBE] i.e. house-to-house visit; 1184 [13.06%] individuals examined by [PCD] i.e passive case detection; and 645 [7.12%] individuals represented [NOD]. The total number of positive cases was 52. Out of them, two only were P.vivax. But, the rest were P. falciparum, 32 cases [61.54%] were detected by MBE, 12 cases [23.08%] by PCD and 8 cases [15.38%] by NOD. The mean age of the total positive cases was 20.54 +/- 14.93 years. It was found that malaria infection didn't affected by sex. The parasite rate [PR] among was 0.57%, parasite formula was 96.15% for P. falciparum and 3.85% for P. vivax, species infection rate [SIR] was 0.55% for P. falciparum and 0.02% for P. vivax. Gametocytaemia was 74% of the total positive malaria cases. High parasite density [PD] was encountered among the younger age groups less than.five years

Head circumference reference data for Egyptian children and adolescents

Data from a cross-sectional study of 27 826 healthy children in Cairo, Egypt, were used to construct standard growth charts of head circumference and reference values of relative head circumference to length/height for each sex. The sample was collected during the Egyptian Growth Curve Project for children and adolescents in 2002. Values were obtained for each month cohort for children aged 1-24 months, then for each year cohort until age 18 years. The values were compared with those of other populations. The constructed growth standards are suitable for growth monitoring programmes throughout Egypt

Waist circumference and central fatness of Egyptian primary-school children

This cross-sectional study of 1283 healthy children [681 boys, 602 girls] aged 6-11 years tested the degree of correlation between waist circumference measurements and adiposity. The children were classified as normal, overweight or obese according to their body mass index [BMI]. For both sexes a highly positive correlation was found between waist circumference and BMI, percentage of body fat, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses, and the sum of skinfold measures. Central overweight and obesity were indicators for central fatness for both overweight boys and girls and for obese girls except in age group 6.5 +/- 1 years. Waist circumference was a good indicator of central fatness [overweight and obesity] in children aged 8.5 +/- years and 10.5 +/- 1 years

Comparison of different techniques for the diagnosis of parasitic infections among leukemic children

Acute lymphocytic leukemia [ALL] is a worldwide problem, and it is more prevalent in children. As the chemotherapy is taken, the host defenses are altered and the patient becomes more liable to infection. This study aimed at determining the frequency of parasitic infections among children with ALL in relation to controls, and to evaluate the different techniques used in the diagnosis of these infections. The study was carried out in Alexandria University Children's Hospital at El-Shatby during one year. The study included 117 children with ALL, and same number of immunocompetent children as a control group. Stool, urine, cerebrospinal fluid [CSF], and blood samples were collected and prepared to be examined by different techniques. The overall percentages of parasitic infections were 90.6% and 58.1% among leukemic children and controls, respectively. Microsporidiosis was the most prevalent infection, and Cryptosporidium parvum was the most common coccidial infection. Microsporidium was the only parasite detected in the CSF of leukemic children. The best technique was modified Ziehl Neelsen to detect coccidia, Trichrome stain for protozoa and Quick-Hot Gram-chromotrope stain for microsporidial infection. There was a high percentage of parasitic infections among Jeukemic children, and the results indicate that the combination of many techniques is more likely to be effective in the diagnosis of these infections

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

Limited segmental decompression [LSD] for degenerative lumbar canal stenosis

Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with degenerative lumbar canal stenosis were prospectively reviewed following limited segmental decompression. After a mean follow up of 10.5 months, the subjective improvement in leg pain and walking distance was seen in 25 patients and 26 patients respectively. There were 2 dural tears and one superficial wound infection. Limited segmental decompression is safe and reliable method in treating elderly patients with symptoms of degenerative lumbar canal stenosis

effects of posterior instrumented fusion on pulmonary function testing in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

A prospective cohort of 30 patients diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to study the effect of posterior instrumented fusion on pulmonary function testing. Vital Capacity VC/litre], Forced Vital capacity [FVC/litre] and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second [FEVl/litre] measurements were used to evaluate pulmonary volume and flow. A mean of 80.5% frontal plane correction was achieved. A significant decrease in pulmonary function testing at 3 months postoperative was observed. At 12 months postoperative there was a significant increase in pulmonary function testing

Synthesis of novel tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl thiazoles of expected anticancer activity

In the present investigation. a variety of tetrahydronaphthyl thiazole derivatives were prepared. The parent compound 4-[5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl]-2-aminothiazole [l] was allowed to react with isocyanates and isothiocyanates to give substituted ureas or thioureas Ila-f with acid anhydrides to give thiazolyl-pyrrolidinedione IIIa-c. with alkylhalides or aryl sulphonyl chlorides to give the N-substituted derivatives lVa-d with urethane to give N-substituted urea V. with carbon disulphide to give isothiocyanate derivatives VI, with alpha-halocarbonyl compounds to give Vlla-d and with malononitrile to give VIII. Moreover, compound VIId was allowed to react with potassium thiocymatc to give thiamlidinone derivatives X, with semicarbazidc and thiosemicarhztzidc to give Xla,b. with thioglycolic acid to give thiomorpholincdione derivative XII. with malononitrilc to give pyrrole carbonitrilc XIII and with different secondary amines to give acetamido derivatives XlVa-d. Also compound llc reacted with chloroacetic acid. malonic acid and or phenacyl bromide to give the corresponding derivatives XV, XVI and XVII respectivly. Compounds lVa, Vllb and X are effective on both liver carcinoma cell line HePG2 and brain carcinoma cell line U25I while compounds llc, Vlld and VIII are effective on HePG2 only

Potential renoprotective effects of Ramipril and vitamin E in streptozotocin - induced diabetic male albino rats

Hyperglycemia, a well recognized pathogenic factor of long-term complications in diabetes mellitus, not only generates more reactive oxygen species but also attenuates antioxidative mechanisms. Therefore, oxidative stress has been considered to be a common pathogenetic factor of the diabetic complications including nephropathy. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] has been implicated as a link between insulin resistance, diabetes and endothelial dysfunction. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with a combination therapy of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor [ramipril] and vitamin E reduce the possible hazards of oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species. Forty male adult albino rats divided into 5 groups each included 8 rats and arranged as control group, streptozotocin-induced diabetic group [60 mg/kg b.wt.i.p.], ramipril + diabetic group, vitamin E + diabetic group and ramipril + vitamin E + diabetic group. Ramipril was given in a dose of 10

association between extended breast feeding and growth of Egyptian infants

The objective of the study was to investigate the association between extended breast feeding [EBF] and the nutritional status of Egyptian infants assessed by some selected anthropometric measurements. A cross-sectional sample of 985 infants of both sexes, attending different vaccination centres in Cairo area was examined. All infants were breastfed and their ages ranged between 1 and 24 months. SDS of the different anthropometric measurements were compared between infants who were breastfed shorter or longer than certain pre-determined cut-off points [6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and 18 months of breast feeding]. The comparison revealed an apparent trend in soft tissue growth, namely body weight, left mid upper-arm circumference, biceps, triceps, sub scapular, and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses. The trend was that at the cut off point of 6 months duration of breast feeding the differences between the SDS of infants who were breastfed longer than, and those who were breastfed shorter than the cut-off, were minimal. The negative deviation from the normal for infants who were breastfed longer than the cut off points of 7, 8 or 9 months of breast feeding was more than the negative deviation for infants who were breastfed shorter than these cut-off points. When cut-off points of 10, 11, 12, 15 or 18 months of breast feeding were considered; the negative deviation for infants who were breastfed longer than the cut-off points got lesser [biceps skinfold thickness], disappeared [body weight] or reversed showing positive deviation from the normal [Suprailiac, subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness; as well as arm circumference]. The other anthropometric measurements namely: body length, trunk length and chest circumferences showed no specific differences between the SDS of the two groups at the different cut off points. The study concluded that EBF improves infant's nutritional status, particularly if prolonged until the end of the first year of life to gain the maximum benefits of breast milk on infant's growth