Evaluation of nutritional status of cerebral plasy and its relation to the degree of severity and type

This study involved 50 cases of cerebral palsy [CP] aged between birth and 5 years, their nutritional status was evaluated and correlated with the degree of severity and type of the disease as a primary step for rehabilitation

Acute phase reactant proteins in infantile diarrhea

Acute phase reactant proteins namely, alpha-acid glycoprotein, alpha-antitrypsin, C3 complement and haptoglobin, were estimated in thirty infants suffering from acute diarrhoea with different degrees of dehydration. Ten apparently normal infants of matched age were included as controls. There was a significant rise in the mean levels of acute phase reactant proteins in the studied cases. This rise was significantly higher in the severely dehydrated infants than in mild and moderate cases. These data might be helpful in monitoring the degree of the inflammatory response after the clinical illness become established

Assay of factor VIII [antihaemophilic factor] in children with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis

The relation between factor VIII [antihemophilic factor] levels and the severity of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis was studied in 30 children. Assay of factor VIII activity, estimation of partial thromboplastin time [PTT], antistreptolysin-O titer, serum creatinine and the whole blood clotting time were carried out

study of tryptophan metabolism in asthmatic children

The basal values of the tryptophan metabolites kynurenine and xanthurenine, and the pyridoxine metabolites pyridoxal phosphate and 4-pyridoxic acid were determined in 22 children with mild asthma, 20 children with severe asthma, and 16 reference children. The effect of a tryptophan load. Without and with pyridoxine supplementation, on the values of these metabolites was also studied. Children with severe asthma had increased basal and post-tryptophan excretion of kynurenic and xanthurenic acids. No evidence of pyridoxine deficiency was found in these children, but supplementation of pyridoxine normalized their response to the tryptophan load. The results indicate a block in tryptophan metabolism in children with severe asthma, obviously due to pyridoxine dependency

relation between human leucocytic antigens and febrile convulsions in children

HLA-typing was investigated in 20 children suffering from febrile convulsions and a hundred normal healthy children served as a control group to find a possible pattern of HLA system and susceptibility of febrile convulsions in children. A positive family history of febrile convulsions was found in five cases out of the 20 patients. A raised value of HLA-B5 was found in children with febrile convulsions compared to the control group. Also, in the five cases with positive family history of febrile convulsions raised value of HLA-B16 was found

Evaluation of the urine precipitin test and the intradermal test for the early diagnosis of schistosomiasis in infants and children

The intradermal and urine precipitin tests were made to 530 infants and children [6 months to 12 years] in an Egyptian village. They were followed up for one year by doing the IDT, UPT and urine and stool examinations for Schistosoma ova. The results revealed that the IDT and UPT became positive one to six weeks before the appearance of ova in the excreta

study on tryptophan metabolism in asthmatic children

The basal values of the tryptophan metabolites kynurenine and xanthurenine, and the pyridoxine metabolites pyridoxal, pyridoxal phosphate and 4-pyridoxic acid were determined in 22 children with mild asthma, 20 children with severe asthma, and 16 reference children. The effect of a tryptophan load, without and with pyridoxine supplementation, on the values of these metabolites was also studied. Children with severe asthma had increased basal and post-tryptophan excretion of kynurenic and xanthurenic acids. No evidence of pyridoxine deficiency was found in these children, but supplementation of pyridoxine normalized their response to the tryptophan load. The results indicate a block in tryptophan metabolism in children with severe asthma, obviously due to pyridoxine dependency

Tryptophan metabolism in protein-calorie malnutrition-kwashorkor

The functional capacity of the tryptophan-niacin pathway was studied in kwashiorkor patients presented without and with dermatosis. This was done in an attempt to correlate between the biochemical anomaly and the degree of severity of the disease. A correlation did exist between the severity of the disease and the excretion patterns of tryptophan metabolites

Urinary xanthurenic acid in acute diffuse glomerulonephritis its relation to the state of pyridoxine

Through estimation of urinary xanthurmic acid in cases of acute diffuse glomerulonephritis, tryptophan metabolism was found to be disturbed in these cases. This disturbance could be reversed by administration of pyridoxine in big doses. Pyridoxine is also thought to be therapeutically beneficial in restoring heart failure, and hypertension to normal in acute glomerulonephritis. Urinary xanthurenic acid was measured in 8 cases of uncomplicated and 21 cases of complicated acute diffuse glomerulonephritis. In the former cases the level of UXA was found to be 564 micro g.% i.e. coinciding with the normal level. In the latter cases, 18 cases, complicated by heart failure and hypertension had an average of UXA of 1750 micro g;%; and 3 cases complicated with heart failure but without hypertension had an average level of 1575 micro g.%. On giving ordinary treatment for nephritis the level of UXA returned to normal in an average of 6 days together with recovery of heart failure and hypertension. On giving pyridoxine in a dose of 25 mg. intramuscularly every 6 hours together with the ordinary treatment the level of UXA returned to normal in an average of 3 days. This either coincided with recovery of heart failure and hypertension or preceded it by 1-3 days. On giving pyridoxine in massive doses unaided by any other medication, the heart failure and the blood pressure were restored to normal in an average of 2 days. A possible beneficial effect of pyridoxine in heart failure and hypertension due to acute nephritis is suggested. [We are indebted to Roche laboratories for the supply of Benadon "Vitamin B6" Roche]

Massive doses of vitamin "D" in the treatment of infantile tetany

Based on the fact that vitamin "D" in pharmacologic doses results in increased absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract, increased bone resorption and hypercalcemia, we thought of trying its effect in the management of infantile tetany. Results from 28 cases showed that the administration of vitamin "D" in massive doses either orally or intramuscularly is an effective line of treatment for infantile tetany and is free from danger. This line of therapy might be superior to the other conventional line of giving calcium and sedatives. Vitamin [D] in big doses either orally or intramuscularly was used for the treatment of infantile tetany. Results of therapy on this line of treatment and its comparison with other lines are discussed