Childhood acute bacterial meningitis

We studied the problem of childhood acute bacterial meningitis [ABM] in Al Baha region from 1983 to 1990. During this 7 year period, 24 out of 4,329 non surgical admissions aged 1 month to 12 years had microbiologically confirmed ABM. Ten [41.5%] of our patients aged 1 month - 1 year, 5 [20.8%] aged 1-2 years and 9 [37.5%] aged 2-12 years. Cerbrospinal fluid [CSF] cultures grew Neisseria meningitudis in 9 [37.5%], Haemophilus influenzae type b in 6 [25%] and Strptococcus pneumoniae in 4 [16.6%] patients. No patient had received prior vaccination against these three pathogens. Permanent neurologic insults occurred in 13 [54.2%] patients and 2 [8.3%] died. Therefore, childhood ABM is still a serious problem in our region with a high morbidity and mortality. Vaccination, prompt diagnosis and intensive therapy are needed to reduce its seriousness

Serum level of muscle enzymes in rickets

Twenty-five rachitic children above one year of age unable to stand alone were included in this study.They were subjected to full clinical examination including anthropometric measurements. A blood sample was taken from each child and serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase,LDH, creative phosphokinase and aldoseweredetermined. Similarclinicalandbiochemical examinations were done to ten normal controls

Scheie operation for aphakic glaucoma

Aiming at a more permanent results in lowering the ocular tension in cases of aphakic glaucoma due to delayed or non-formation of A.C., Scheie operation was done in 10 cases, in 4 of them after failure of repeated cyclodialysis and in the rest as a primary procedure. Results were very encouraging. The ocular tension was lowered to normal in 9 cases by one operation. Only ate case [case X] required a second intervention on nasal pillar with subsequent normalization of tension. Scheie operation is thus the operation of choice for cases of aphakic glaucoma being safe, easy and with high percentage of success