Hypovitaminosis D; in children in the absence of significant clinical symptoms and signs

Objectives: to determine the frequency of vitamin D deficiency in children under 12 years of age in the absence of significant clinical signs and symptoms in an ambulatory care settings

Study Design: descriptive study

Settings and duration: this study was conducted in Pediatric out Patient Department of KAUH from June 2013 to June 2014

Materials and methods: patients attending the pediatric clinic in KAUH Riyadh, KSA, from June2013 to June 2014, in which 287 healthy children under 12 years were enrolled. Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25[OH] D] were measured .X ray wrists were taken for radiological evidence of rickets. 25[OH] D levels <50 ng/mL and <25 ng/mL were defined as insufficiency and severe vitamin D deficiency, respectively

Results: a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is observed in healthy children even in absence of clinical signs and symptoms. The problem should be highlighted and there is a need to create awareness among people about the etiology of vitamin D deficiency and its prevention.There is a strong need for long term planning including populationscreening, dietary supplementation with vitamin D and food fortification

Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant [PBSCT] using anti-IL2 receptor antibody daclizumab for the prevention of acute graft versus host disease in steroid refractory diamond blackfan anaemia: a case report

The case report of a 2 year old boy with steroid refractory DBA, treated with allogeneic PBSCT from an HLA matched sibling is presented. Anti-IL2 receptor antibody Daclizumab was used as a prophylaxis for graft versus host disease [GvHD]. Complete recovery without any evidence of GvHD ensued

Survival and graft versus host disease in first 100 patients undergoing allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: a single centre experience

To present the survival and evaluate the demographic characteristics as risk factors for acute and chronic graft versus host disease [GvHD] in 100 recipients of HLA identical related allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Indications for transplant were non-malignant and malignant haematological disorders. Bu/Cy conditioning was given for haematological malignancies and b-Thalassaemia major, Cyclophosphamide was given in aplastic anaemia. GvHD prophylaxis was Cyclosporin and Methotrexate. The patients received a median nucleated cell dose of 7.93 108/kg. Of 100 recipients, 72 were males and 28 females. Median age was 13.5 years [range 1.5-44]. There were 65 male and 35 female donors. Median age was 15 years [range 4-45]. Grade-I aGvHD was noted in 18 [18%], Grades-II in 6 [6%], Grade-III in 3 [3%] while Grade-IV in 1 [1%] patients. Diagnosis was found to be a significant risk factor for aGvHD. Kaplan Meyer analysis showed that malignancy, aGvHD, recipients above 14 years of age, female patients and engraftment after 12 days were associated with poor outcome. Of 78 patients alive beyond 100 days, 19 [24%] developed cGvHD. Mean follow up was 466 days [range 30-1766]. Median survival of this cohort of patients was 338 days [mean 479 days, 95% CI 72 - 729]. Incidence of acute and chronic GvHD was similar to published data. Grade of aGvHD, extent of cGvHD, female patients and haematological malignancies were associated with higher rate of aGvHD and a worse outcome

Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant [PBSCT] using anti-il2 receptor antibody daclizumab for the prevention of acute graft versus host disease in steroid refractory diamond blackfan anaemia: a case report

The case report of a 2 year old boy with steroid refractory DBA, treated with allogeneic PBSCT from an HLA matched sibling is presented. Anti-IL2 receptor antibody Daclizumab was used as a prophylaxis for graft versus host disease [GvHD]. Complete recovery without any evidence of GvHD ensued