impact of vitamin D deficiency on asthma, allergic rhinitis and wheezing in children: an emerging public health problem

Vitamin D deficiency has been declared a public health problem for both adults and children worldwide. Asthma and related allergic diseases are the leading causes of morbidity in children. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential role of Vitamin D deficiency in childhood asthma and other allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis and wheezing. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Primary Health Care Centers [PHCs], from March 2012 to October 2013. A total of 2350 Qatari children below the age of 16 were selected from PHCs, and 1833 agreed to participate in this study giving a response rate of [78%]. Face-to-face interviews with parents of all the children were based on a questionnaire that included variables such as socio-demographic information, assessment of nondietary covariates, Vitamin D intake, type of feeding, and laboratory investigations. Their health status was assessed by serum Vitamin D [25-hydoxyvitamin D], family history and body mass index. Most of the children who had asthma [38.5%], allergic rhinitis [34.8%] and wheezing [35.7%] were below 5 years. Consanguinity was significantly higher in parents of children with allergic rhinitis [48.6%], followed by those with asthma [46.4%] and wheezing [40.8%] than in healthy children [35.9%] [P < 0.001]. The proportion of severe Vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in children with wheezing [23.4%], allergic rhinitis [18.5%], and asthma [17%] than in healthy children [10.5%]. Exposure to the sun was significantly less in Vitamin D deficient children with asthma [60.3%], allergic rhinitis [62.5%] and wheezing [64.4%] than in controls [47.1%] [P = 0.008]. It was found that Vitamin D deficiency was a significant correlate for asthma [odds ratio [OR] =2.31; P < 0.001], allergic rhinitis [OR = 1.59; P < 0.001] and wheezing [relative risk = 1.29; P = 0.05]. The study findings revealed a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in children with asthma and allergic diseases. Vitamin D deficiency was a strong correlate for asthma, allergic rhinitis and wheezing

Treatment outcome of acne vulgaris with oral isotretinoin

To determine the clinical efficacy of oral isotretinoin in the treatment of severe acne and assess its effect on total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and Low-Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-cholesterol]. A cohort, descriptive, hospital-based study. Al-Ain Medical District, Tawam Hospital, United Arab Emirates, from 1994 to 2002. A total of 198 patients seen at Tawam Hospital, referred with acne vulgaris for a minimum of 6 weeks, were treated by isotretinoin for the first time, were included in the study. Variables studied were as per objectives apart from demographics and distribution. The study included 63 [32%] males and 135 [68%] females of mean age [ +/- SD] of 21.3 +/- 5.6 years. Majority [81%] of patients was under 25 years. Of them, 26 patients had family history of acne. The most common site of acne was on face [66.7%], followed by trunk [26.2%] and neck [9.1%]. Of 198 patients treated, 32.8% were cured, 19.1% markedly improved, 11.1% moderately improved and 24.2% of patients were advised for further treatment. There was no marked change in total and LDL-cholesterol, while LDL and triglycerides changed markedly. In acne patients, isotretinoin is effective in producing remission. In addition, it was safe and its effect on serum lipids was transient, especially in healthy and young patients with normal liver functions

Childhood haemolytic-uraemic syndrome in Qatar

Fourteen cases of childhood haemolytic uraemic syndrome [HUS]diagnosed at a general hospital over a 7 year period were reviewed retrospectively. Four patients with typical post diarrhoea HUS were members of tow families. Factors associated with a poorer prognosis included an older age, an initially elevated white blood cell count, and thrombocytopenia. The thrombocytopenia was associated with statistically significant biochemical changes of serum chemistries [hyponatraemia, hypocalcaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, hyperuricaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia]. The elevation of the serum transaminases was not statistically significant

Paediatric computerized axial tomography: the role of neurologic disease on the sedative effects of DPT cocktail

A total of 403 attempts to sedate children for computerized axial tomography scan showed a successful sedation rate of 82.58 in patients of non neurologic disorders which was not significantly different from the great majority of subjects with neurologic disorder. However, this rate was significantly higher [97.28] in attempts on patients with heredofamilial neurologic diseases. Because it's a multiple drug mixture, "DPT" cocktail imposes major risks on children given that regimen. This study was done to determine whether the sedation potential of this mixture is related to the type of primary disease in children undergoing scanning

outbreak of staphylococcus epidermidis septicemia in a neonatal intensive care unit

Eleven cases of Staphylococcus epidermidis septicaemia confirmed by blood cultures, were studied in an outbreak in the neonatal intensive care unit of Hamad Medical Corporation; 64% were premature and 36% were term infants. They mainly presented with respiratory signs. In an effort to determine the source of infection, tracheal aspirates, catheter tips and total parenteral nutrition solutions were cultured, with negative results. The immature: total neutrophil ratio was suggestive of septicaemia in 64% of patients. The staphylococcal outbreak may have been promoted by overcrowding of the neonatal intensive care unit. The Staph. epidermidis was resistant to penicillin, and gentamicin in 82% and 73% of cases respectively. This combination is thus not a useful one for staphylococcal septicaemia, and cephalothin or vancomycin are better choices