[Serum ferritin level in febrile children with and without seizures]

Background: Although febrile seizure is the most common cause of convulsion in childhood and strongly age-dependent, its incidence is rare before 9 months and after 5 years. Moreover, iron deficiency in these ages may have a detrimental effect on neurological and intellectual functioning. This study was designed to determine the serum ferritin level in febrile children with and without seizures

Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed on 80 children [6 months to 5 years] referred to Kashan Shahid Beheshti hospital from January until June 2010. They were divided into two equal case and control groups [children with febrile seizures and febrile children without seizure, respectively]. Children with the CNS disorder, developmental delay, renal failure, and shigellotic gastroenteritis were excluded. Ferritin, Hb, MCV and MCH values between the two groups were compared

Results: The mean serum feritin levels were 97.6 +/- 90.6 ng/ml for cases and 109.2 +/- 106.2 ng/ml for controls [P=0.351]. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin was 11.17 +/- 0.881 g/dl in the case group and 11.04 +/- 0.963 g/dl in the control one [P=0.534]. Moreover, the mean MCV in the febrile seizure and fever groups were 73.71 +/- 4.16 fl and 71.86 +/- 4.42 fl, respectively [P=0.049]. Also, the mean MCH in the febrile seizure and fever groups were 24.80 +/- 1.64 pg and 23.83 +/- 2.16 pg, respectively [P=0.033]

Conclusion: No relationship between the serum ferritin level and febrile seizure is seen in both groups

Do infants using baby walkers suffer developmental delays in acquisition of motor skills?

Development is a complex process, completed over a specific period of time, through the maturation of the nervous system. It is affected by genetic, ethnic, nutritional, social, and economic factors; one of the environmental factors affecting the acquisition of motor skills in infants is the use of baby walkers. Since this device is very commonly used for infants in our country, we conducted this study to evaluate its effects on the acquisition of motor skills in this age group of children. This longitudinal study was conducted in 2005 on 300 infants referring to the Primary Health Care Centers of Kashan district in 1384; the infants were divided into two groups of 150 babies each, with the case group using baby walkers, while the other 150, the controls, did not. All babies were followed for two years, and the ages for acquisition of motor skills were documented during face-to face or telephone interviews with the parents. Data were analyzed using the T-test and the Chi Square test. Of the study population, 175 babies [58.33%] were male. The mean age of acquisition of motor skills including rolling, crawling, moving on hands and feet, sitting without and with help, standing and walking dependently and independently were found to be delayed in infants using baby walkers, a difference between the two groups of walker users and non- walker users that was statistically significant [P<0.001]. Considering the adverse effects that walkers have on the acquisition of motor skills in infants, as demonstrated by the results of this study, we do not recommend the use of baby walkers in infants

Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA [PCR] in HBsAg negative, anti-HBc positive blood donors in Tehran province

The incidence of post transfusion hepatitis has been reduced by blood donor screening for HBsAg, but the HBV infection is still responsible for certain cases of post-transfusion hepatitis world-wide. An estimate of the rate of HBV DNA and anti-HBc positive units is important for evaluation of the need for anti-HBc blood donor screening. In this study, the HBsAg negative blood units were evaluated for anti-HBc and all of anti-HBc positive units were tested for HBV DNA by PCR method. Extra samples were collected from 2000 HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and RPR-negative blood donors. All of the samples were examined by the approved anti-HBc assay. All anti-HBc positive samples were tested by anti-HBs assays and evaluated for HBV DNA [PCR]. The sensitivity of the HBV DNA [PCR] assasy was estimated to be 300 geq/ml according to VQC proficiency panels. 230 [11.5%] out of 2000 samples were positive for anti-HBc. 179 [77.8%] out of 230 anti-HBc positive samples were HBsAb positive, and 51 [23.2%] HBsAb negative. All 230 samples were assayed for single HBV DNA [PCR] 227 of which came out to be negative for HBV DNA [PCR]. Three blood donors were recalled and new samples from two of whom were collected. These new samples were negative for HBV DNA. Further study for evaluation of HBV DNA in anti-HBc positive blood units with full automatic instruments and usage of blood bags with accessories is strongly recommended

Febrile seizure and anemia

Considering the controversial results in present day literature regarding the relationship between febrile seizures and anemia and the high rate of such seizures in children, this study was conducted to evaluate the association between pediatric febrile seizures and anemia. In this case-control study, conducted in 2003, 60 children with febrile seizure [cases] and 60 febrile children without seizure [controls] were evaluated in the Kashan Shahid Beheshti hospital; all patients were matched for age, sex, type of feeding, and use of supplemental iron. Thirty-six [60%] and 39 [65%] of the patients in case and control groups respectively were male, and the remaining female. Levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell indices were determined in all children and Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to analyze data. Of the case group, 13.3% [6 male, 2 female] and of controls, 20% [9 male, 3 female] of children had anemia [p= 0.327], the condition being more common in male children aged over 5 months. Febrile seizures were found to occur mostly between the ages of 6 to 24 months. The risk of febrile seizure occurrence in anemic children seems to be less than that in children who do not suffer from the condition

Evaluation of serumic beta-2 microglobulin in HBsAg+ HBV DNA PCR+ and HBsAg+ HBV DNA PCR- subjects: as HBV replication marker

Beta-2 microglobulin [beta2MG] is the light chain of Histocompatibility-Class I human antigen and its normal range is <3mg/ml. beta2MG level in sera of hepatitis B patients increases. In Hepatitis infection the presentation of the viral antigen on the hepatocyte in the presence of Class I HLA antigen plays a major role in the elimination of the virus. In this descriptive study, s beta2MG, HBsAg [by ELISA], and HBV DNA [by PCR] were evaluated in sera of49 patients with hepatitis B and 35 subjects in control group. Our results showed HbsAg was positive in all patients. 29 of patients were HBV-DNA-PCR positive and 20 HBV-DNA-PCR negative.beta2MG in all subjects in control group was in normal range and in 34.7% of patients above normal limit. beta2MG in HBV-DNA-PCR positive patients was higher than HBV DNA PCR negative patients. Such differences were significant [p <0.05]. It seems S beta2MG is a good marker for HBV replication and its absence may exclude HBV replication. The role of beta2MG in monitoring response to therapy needs to be further evaluated

Febrile seizure: recurrence and risk factors

Febrile Convulsion is the most common convulsive disorder in children, occurring in 2 to 4% of the pediatric population and recurring in 30-50% of cases. Considering the varying recurrence rates reported, this study was conducted at the pediatric ward of the Shaheed Beheshti General Hospital, between 2000-2001 to determine the frequency of recurrence and related risk factors in children presenting with their first episode of febrile convulsion A two-year cohort study was performed on 50 children presenting with the first attack of febrile convulsion. Patient demographic data including age, sex, type and duration of seizure, family history of febrile seizure or epilepsy and the interval between fever onset and occurrence of seizure were recorded in questionnaires. Those patients, for whom prophylactic medication was not administered, were followed at three-month intervals for up to one year. Findings were statistically analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Recurrence was observed in twelve children [24%] out of the fifty, being most common in patients aged less than one year [54.4%].Recurrence rates among children with a positive family history of febrile convulsion, presence of complex febrile seizure and positive family history of epilepsy were 42.1%, 42.8% and 25% respectively. From among those children with a "less than one hour" interval between fever onset and occurrence of seizure, recurrence occurred in 43-7% of cases, while in those with a "more than one hour interval", 14.7% experienced recurrence. Recurrence rates are increased by certain factors including age-below one year-, positive family history of febrile convulsion, and a "less than one hour" interval between time of fever onset and seizure occurrence

Comparison of metronidazole and furazolidone against giardia lamblia in children

This study was conducted on children infected by Giardia lamblia to evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of Metronidazole and Furazolidone drugs in Kashan. One hundred twenty two individuals infected with Giardia lamblia were assigned in 2 groups. They were 5-12 years old. Patients were surveyed four weeks following the therapy with Metronidazole and Furazolidone. Results were compared using chi-square method. Of 122 infected patients, 68.8% were urban residents, 43.4% were females and 56.6% were males. Abdominal pain was the most common clinical symptoms [84.2%]. Four weeks after the therapy, the efficacy of metronidazole and furazolidone were 87 and 81.6%, respectively. Malaise [12.9%] and dark urine [25%] was the most frequents side effects of metronidazole and furazolidone, respectively. With respect to the efficacy of antiparasite drugs in the treatment of giardiasis, further studies in different parts of the country are highly recommended

Intrafollicular fluid antigamete antibodies in infertile patient candidates for ICSI

Immunologic disturbances must be considered as a major cause of infertility. Antigamete antibodies like antisperm antibodies [ASA] and to anti-zona antibodies [AZA] seem to be implicated in the etiology of infertility. These antibodies affect fertilization and embryo development. It is important to screen these antibodies in infertile women who are candidates for in-vitro fertilization [IVF], because the presence of these antibodies may switch the treatment from IVF to intra-cytoplasmic microinjection [ICSI]. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of ASA and AZA in the follicular fluids [FF] of women who sought candidacy for ICSI. In this prospective study, the follicular fluids of 96 infertile women [20 to 39 years old, mean 31.5 +/- 5.1], who were candidates for ICSI, were evaluated. According to the etiologies, 80 women had explained whereas 16 had unexplained infertility. All the follicular fluids were evaluated for the presence of ASA by ELISA and Sperm MAR test and also for the presence of AZA by ELISA. The data were analyzed by Chi-square test using SPSS soft-ware and the significance level was considered p<0.05. According to the results of ELISA and Sperm MAR test, none of the patients had ASA in their follicular fluids. However, twenty samples [20.8%] were positive for AZA. In patients with unexplained infertility, autoantibodies to zona pellucida were significantly higher in the follicular fluid than the group with proven etiologies for infertility [p=0.001]. The low incidence of ASA and the high incidence of AZA in the infertile women in this study, especially in women with unexplained infertility in Iran have to be considered seriously. Determination of AZA is highly recommended in the evaluation of infertile couples, especially those with unexplained infertility

Mini-pool screening for HCV infection in Iranian blood donors: preliminary results

Screening the blood donors for serological markers reduced the incidence of transfusion transmitted infections especially post-transfusion hepatitis C. However, there remains residual risk due to pre-seroconversion period. HCV RNA [PCR] of blood donations reduced theresidual risk of transfusion-transmitted HCV infection. In this study, blood donations werescreened for HCV RNA by RT-PCR method.An extra plasma sample was collected from 1026 blood donors. 1000 out of 1026 sampleswere negative for HBsAg, anti-HCV [EIA, third generation], anti-HIV and RPR. Every 5samples were pooled. The sensitivity of HCV-RNA detection by RT-PCR method was 380geq/ml according to Proficiency VQC panel. 1000 donations in 200 pools were tested.False reactivity of samples considered positive accounts for 5.5% of cases, and 5.5% were invalid due to non-specilic bands. 6% of the pools were false-positive. A false positive result was defined as positive on initial testing but negative on repeat single testing. However, all ofthe samples were negative for HCV RNA by RT-PCR method.No sample was found to be serologically negative and HCV RNA positive. However, further studies are recommended for further clarification

[Tracing blood units from recipients to their donors: results of a trace back study for hepatitis B]

Post -transfusion hepatitis B may occure if donors donate blood in the window period, in the early convalescence phase and period with very low levels of HBsAg in blood. In December 2003, a case as post- transfusion hepatitis B in a blood recipient was reported to IBTO.The patient had received 2 units of red blood cells.Trace back program was set up to find out the donors possible involvement in viral transmission.Donors and recipients were not positive for HBsAg and Anti-HBc IgM; so current or recent infection during last 6 months had to be excluded. This case report explains a successful trace back , and accurate well- maintained records

[Designing an ELISA method using sperm antigens for detection of antisperm antibody in comparison with SpermMar test

The role of antisperm antibodies with a prevalence of 6-26% is well known in immunological infertility. Thus, there is clinical importance to determine ASA levels in both male and female. Nowadays, one of the most important discussed controversies in the field of immunological infertility is establishing an standard method to determine ASA. It seems that ELISA method will be more sensitive, specific and more diagnostic in determination of ASA if sperm surface antigens could be used as coated antigens, with least contamination to sperm intracellular antigens and nonspermic antigens. So, the aim of this study is designing an ELISA method by using the best method of sperm antigens extraction with at least contamination. In this study we designed an ELISA method with three different extraction methods of sperm antigens including sonication method, using SDS detergent, and application of LIS detergent, then we compared ELISA method based on the three extraction methods as well as two similar commercial ELISA kit [IBL Co, and Bioserv Co] with SpermMar test. Comparing designed method with commercial kit indicated that among 28 sera which had 16 positive sera and 12 negative sera by SpermMar, 14 sera were true positive by LIS method and only 2 cases were false negative without any false positive results, whereas there were 5 true positive results and 11 cases false negative by the sonication method. The SDS method also had 13 true positive results with 3 false negative and 4 false positive results. In addition, two commercial kit had in turn 7 and 4 cases true positive and both of them had 1 case false positive and in turn 9 and 12 cases with false negative result. ELISA method designed by LIS detergent has adequate sensitivity [87.5%] with higher specificity [100%] and efficacy [92.8%] than other extraction methods. There is a significant correlation between this designed method and SpermMar test [r=0.572]. The results of this study indicated that ELISA method by LIS antigens has at least contamination with nonspermic antigens and it is better than other extraction methods and commercial ELISA kits for detection of antisperm antibody