effect of theophylline on serum erythropietin in premature neonates and older children

To study the effect of theophylline on erythropoietin, 4 groups were included in this work: group I [theophylline treated prematures], group II [theophylline untreated prematures for comparison], group III [theophylline treated children] and group IV [theophylline untreated children] for comparison. For all subjects, serum level of erythropoietin, haemoglobin concentration, red cell count, haematocrit value and serum level of theophylline [for treated subjects only] were performed at the beginning and at the end of the study. The results obtained showed a significant elevation in erythropoietin, Hb, RBCs and haematocrit values in group I as compared with group II as well as a significant decrease in erythropoietin level, Hb, RBCs and haematocrit value in group III as compared with group IV. We concluded that there is a discrepancy in the effect of theophylline therapy on serum erythropoietin level between prematures and older children. This may be due to the altered tissue oxygenation seen in apnea of prematurity which may have a more potent stimulatory effect on erythropoietin production than does the depressant effect of theophylline in this population. Also, the effect of theophylline on erythropoietin production may change by age and thus may differ between prematures and older children

Hepatic profile and typhoid fever in children

This study was performed on 55 children clinically and laboratory diagnosed as typhoid fever. 44% and 11% of all cases had hepatomegaly and overt jaundice. In 1st week of illness [group I], hepatomegaly and overt jaundice were present in 20% and 5% of cases respectively while in 2nd week of illness [group II] 57% and 14% of cases had hepatornegaly and overt jaundice respectively. During 1[st] week of illness there was rise in bilirubin, serum alkaline. Phosphatase, SGPT and SGOT in 15%, 25%, 20% and 5% respectively while in 2nd week of illness the rise in these values were present in 55%, 68%, 71% and 20% of cases with significant differences between both groups. The results of liver function tests and sonographic liver span [mean +/- SD] showed significant difference between cases during 1st week of illness [group I] and cases during 2nd week of illness [group II]