Clinical patterns of alopecia areata in children in South Jordan

To describe the clinical patterns of alopecia areata in a group of children in Al-Karak City in the South of Jordan. This study was conducted at Prince Ali Ben Al-Hussein Hospital in Al-Karak City during the period June 2011 to May 2012. Patients who presented with alopecia areata and were aged less than 14 years old were included in the study. The diagnosis of alopecia areata was based on clinical grounds and was made by two expert dermatologists. All patients underwent a thorough history and physical examination. Age, gender, age of onset, type of alopecia, extent and duration of the disease, presence of specific signs, associated medical or dermatological conditions and nail involvement were recorded for all patients. Simple statistical analysis [frequencies, means and percentages] was used to describe the study variables. A total number of 58 pediatric patients were included in the study. There were 31 male and 27 female with a ratio of 1.1:1. The age of patients ranged from two to 14 years. The age of onset ranged from one to 13 years [mean = 7 years].The most common age of presentation was in the age group four to eight [34.5%] and eight to 12 [32.8%]. Most patients [77.6%] presented with limited alopecia areata, and 22.4% of patients presented with widespread alopecia areata. The majority of patients [77.6%] presented with primary alopecia areata and 22.4% of patients presented with recurrent alopecia areata. The mean duration of the disease was three months. Patients with primary alopecia areata had a median duration of two months while those with recurrent alopecia areata had a median duration of four months. Atopic dermatitis was found in 5 patients, vitiligo in one patient and thyroid disease in one patient. Severe alopecia areata was noted mainly in male patients [25.9%], younger age groups [66.7% of patients in the age group 0 to 4], patients with recurrent alopecia areata [60%], patients who had ophiasis [87.5%] and in all patients who had nail abnormality. Alopecia areata occurred in 5.9%, 0.6% and 0.2% of first, second and third degree relatives of patients respectively. There was a slight preponderance for male gender in pediatric alopecia areata in South Jordan. Most patients had limited alopecia areata. Severe alopecia areata is associated with male gender, younger age of onset, recurrent alopecia areata, presence of ophiasis and presence of nail involvement. Patients with recurrent disease tend to have a longer duration of their disease. Relatives of patients have a higher frequency of alopecia areata which indicates the important role of genetic factors

Prognostie value of fundoscopy in malaria

Objective To detect fundoscopic abnormalities in immunocompetent adults with malaria and to assess their prognostic value. Methods A prospective study involved 543 patients with malaria seen during the period Decembre 2000 to July 2001 at the Jordanian Military hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Patients were divided into three groups: uncomplicated, severe and cerebral malaria. Diagnosis of malaria was based on peripheral blood smears. All patients were HIV negative. One the day of andmission, fundoscopic examination was performed on all patients through dilated pupils. Results Ninety Seven[17.9%] of all patients were found to have abnormal fundoscopy. Retinal hemorrhage was the most common finding: 8.5% of all patients, 47.4% in respect with abnormal findings. Optic disc pallor was a minority and closely related to cerebral malaria. A significant ratio [57.1%] of uncomplicted malaria cases with abnormal fundoscopy progressed to severe or cerebral malaria within 24 hours. Conclusion Abnormal fundoscopic findings in malaria patients can be early predictor of severe infection

Complications of Chickenpox in immunocompetent adults

to determine the frequency and to describe the clinical spectrum of serious and common chickenpox complications in immunocompetent adults from December 2000 to August 2001, this study was carried out at the Jordanian Military Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. A total number of 123 immunocompetent adults with chickenpox were hospitalized. the following tests were conducted on each patient: full blood count, liver enzymes, blood gases, chest radiographs and skin swab cultures. Daily clinical and laboratory evaluations were conducted on all patients looking for complications and management of those complications. Results almost half of the patients were 18-26 years old. sixteen patients [13%] developed complications and all these patients recovered with treatment. The most common [43.8%] complication was respiratory tract involvement followed by skin bacterial super infection [25%] other less frequent complications included gastrointestinal manifestations, encephalitis, mild hepatitis and mild thrombocytopenia all adult patients with chickenpox should be hospitalized in the early stage of their disease and should receive appropriate therapy to reduce the incidence of complications