ECG changes in asphyxia neonatorum

A total of 25 asphyxiated term neonates, weighing over 2 kg, were divided according to the degree of asphyxia as mild [11 cases], moderate [10 cases] and severe [4 cases]. A control group consisted of 25 healthy term babies was chosen. Both groups were submitted to an adequate history thorough examination to exclude congenital heart disease and neonatal complications, and appropriate investigations [CBC, RBS, serum electrolytes, e.g. Na, K and Ca] were carried out. ECG tracings [12 lead] were done at birth on both groups, and at 2-week intervals for one month in asphyxiated cases and only one month later in control cases, aiming to illustrate the effect of asphyxia neonatorum on neonatal heart using ECG tracings

Study on the effect of honey on asthmatic children with references to serum levels of copper, zinc and magnesium

A total of 50 children were selected [36 children were suffering from bronchial asthma and 14 healthy normal children]. Their ages ranged from 3 to 12 years. Both groups were subjected to adequate history, thorough examinations. The asthmatic children were divided according to the stage of asthma into acute attack [18 cases], on remission [10 cases], those with acute exacerbation receiving honey as adjunct therapy [8 cases]. Serum Cu, Zn and Mg levels were estimated in both controls and asthmatics on different asthma stages. The results revealed hypercupremia during the acute stage of BA [bronchial asthma], returned to normal on remission and during honey therapy, hypozincemia and hypomagnesemia were found during the acute stage of BA and return to normal during remission and on honey therapy. The frequency of asthmatic attacks were reduced by 64-73% after honey therapy for 3 months

Study on cord blood alpha-feto protein as an index of maturity in neonates

A total of 45 healthy neonatal infants of different gestational ages were selected. Using simple random sample, their cord blood alpha fetoprotein [AFP] were estimated by radioimmunoassay [RIA] technique in order to evaluate the usefulness of AFP as a biochemical adjunct to various clinical and anthropometric means of assessing the degree of maturity in the newborns. There was a fall in AFP levels with advancing gestation and a significant degree of correlation between AFP and gestational age. AFP mean values were highest in preterm infants and lowest in post-term infants [P <0.01]. Also, a significant difference was found between AGA and term SGA. No correlation was obtained between AFP levels and birth weight. In conclusion, AFP is a useful maturity index, especially when taken into consideration with other clinical and anthropometric parameters

Effect of maternal employment during pregnancy on neonatal outcome

This study was conducted on 210 pregnant women [60 working and 150 non-working mothers]. The newborn infants were examined thoroughly before knowing whether their mothers were working or not then mothers were interviewing. There was no significant prolongation of gestational age between both offspring of working and non-working mothers, however, prolongation was significant only in newborn infants of mothers working in sitting position. There was a significant reduction in birth weight of the newborn infants of mothers working in standing position. In addition, there was a reduction in head circumference in offsprings of working mothers of low family standard, when compared with those of non-working mothers. In conclusion, healthy women with uncomplicated, low risk pregnancy who feel well enough to continue work during pregnancy, even in a job requiring some standing may do so without fear that their infants suffer shortened gestation or impaired intra-uterine growth provided they regularly attend antenatal care clinics

Study of leucocytic migration inhibition in acute hepatitis B in children

Total of 34 children [14 males and 10 females] were studied, 24 children suffered from acute hepatitis [B], their ages ranged from 5 to 14 years. They were selected from Abbasia Fever Hospital, another 10 healthy children were selected from Bab El-Shearea University Hospital, served as controls. Both groups were submitted to an adequate history, thorough examination and some investigations: CBC, liver function tests and immunological test [migration inhibition test] of leucocytes were done early in the course of illness 1-2 weeks, then repeated every 2 weeks for a duration of 2 months for the available attending patients. Inhibition of leucocytic migration was found to be higher in patients than controls within 2 weeks of acute hepatitis [B] infection. It reached its peak within one month, then decreased and returned to normal range of the control within 2 months. Migration inhibition test [MIT] is a useful test for assessing the cell mediated immunity status of the patient with hepatitis [B] in response to HBs Ag in vitro abnormal changes [increase or decrease] in this reactivity in the recovery phase, rational close observation and follow up is of value to anticipate the sequela and complications of HBV infection