Effects of Iron Supplementation on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children Treated with Methylphenidate

Objective@#To evaluate the effect of iron on the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, treated with methylphenidate. @*Methods@#This double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 50 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder under the treatment of methylphenidate, with ferritin levels below 30 ng/ml and absence of anemia. They were randomly assigned into two groups of ferrous sulfate and placebo, for 12 weeks. Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) was used to assess the outcome in the first, sixth, and twelfth weeks. @*Results@#Almost all CPRS subscales improved in the ferrous sulfate group from the baseline to the endpoint, although only the changes in conduct subscale scores were significant (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in score changes between two groups in intergroup comparison. Also, the score of learning problems (p = 0.007) in the first six weeks, and conduct (p = 0.023) and psychosomatic (p = 0.018) subscales in the second six weeks were improved in the ferrous sulfate group compared with the placebo group. @*Conclusion@#Our study showed promising effects of iron supplementation in the improvement of subscales of the CPRS.

A study of MTRR 66A>G gene polymorphism in patients with autism from northern Iran

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorders that manifests before 3 years of age, more common in boys. Whereas causes of autism remain uncertain, it is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Recent studies have shown that the genes involved in the folate metabolism pathway may play an important role in autism. Methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) is a key enzyme that plays an important role in the homocysteine/folate metabolism and has been shown to be implicated in neurological disorders including autism. In this study, 356 subjects were studied, which consists of 142 autistic children and 214 nonautistic control. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples. Genotype of MTRR 66A>G gene was performed using polymerase chain reaction-allele specific PCR (AS-PCR). The genotype frequencies of AA, AG and GG in the children with autism were 9.9%, 76.0% and 14.1%, respectively and in control group were 13.1%, 86.0% and 0.9%, respectively. The allele frequencies of A, G in the children with autism were 48.0%, 52.0%, respectively and in control group were 56.0%, 44.0%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there is a significant correlation in the genotype between two groups (OR=20, 95% CI=4.1 to 98, P<0.001). It is concluded that MTRR A66G polymorphism is associated with autism in a population in northern Iran. More studies with larger number should be done to confirm this result.

Relative frequency of hydrocephalus in Rasht pediatric patients

There are few studies evaluating the relative frequency of different etiologies of hydrocephalus in pediatric population, in Iran; therefore, this topic was considered in the present study. In a prospective study, the study group consisted of all children fulfilling the imaging criteria for having hydrocephalus, aged below 12 years, admitted at Rasht 17th Shahrivar and Poursina Hospitals, between March 2006 and September 2008. Demographic data and information on the etiology and type of hydrocephalus, and surgical and pathological diagnosis were recorded for all cases. All data were analyzed with SPSS version 13 software. There were a total of 67 patients, with a mean age of 33.25 +/- 43.40 months. Hydrocephalus was seen most frequently in the first 2 years of life. Thirty three patients [49.3%] were female and 34 [50.7%] were male. Mean age of the girls and boys was 30.78 +/- 46.46 and 35.64 +/- 40.77 months, respectively [p=-0.650]. Communicating and obstructive hydrocephalus was seen in 30 [44.8%] and 37 cases [55.2%], respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the types of hydrocephalus between the two sex groups. Mean age in obstructive and communicating groups was 3.76 +/- 46.17 and 35.09 +/- 40.42 months, respectively [p=0.0006]. The most common causes of hydrocephalus were myelomeningocele for obstructive [19.4% of total cases], and TORCH and meningitis for communicating [8.9% of total cases for each]. In our study there was a mild preponderance for male sex and obstructive type. Mean age of the patients with obstructive hydrocephalus was significantly lower than those with communicating type. Overall, the most common cause of hydrocephalus was myelomeningocele

[Tay-sachs disease report of two affected Iranian cases and review of literature]

Tay-Sachs disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of sphingolipid metabolism, caused by deficiency of enzyme beta hexosaminidase A, that leads to accumulation of GM2 ganglioside in cellular lysosomes. Clinical findings are progressive weakness, gradual loss of aquired neuromotor skills, and deterioration of intelligence from about 3 to 6 months of age, as well as seizure attacks and blindness. There is also evidence on progressive neurodegeneration. In most of the patients bilateral cherry red spot were reported on funduscopy. In this report, we present two patients with Tay-Sachs disease, which are confirmed by enzyme assay. In both of them beta hexosaminidase A activity were strongly decreased