Fibrinolytic activity in varicella

This study included 22 children with varicella without haemorrhagic manifestations [group IIA] and 8 cases with haemorrhagic manifestations [group IIB]; in addition to 10 normal children [group I] as controls. The present work showed that bleeding time was prolonged in both varicella groups and coagulation time showed no significant change between both varicella groups and control group. Platelet count showed marked decrease in both varicella groups especially group [IIB]. The present work also showed increased fibrinolytic activity in varicella group with haemorrhagic manifestation as evidenced by the presence of fibrin degradation products in 100% of the cases in group [IIB] and 9% of the cases in group [IIA]. Also, euglobulin lysis time was shortened in group [IIB] and was within normal in group [IIA]. Antithrombin III showed marked decrease in group [IIB] and was within normal in group [IIA]. Serum alpha-1-antitrypsin showed significant increase in both varicella groups. Serum alpha-2macroglobin showed significant increase in group [IIA] and no changes in group [IIB]

Serum zinc and copper in children with pulmonary tuberculosis and lobar pneumonia before and after treatment

Serum zinc and copper levels were estimated in 20 children suffering from mild to moderate pulmonary tuberculosis; 8 cases with extensive pulmonary tuberculosis; 20 cases with pneumonia and 9 cases with extensive pneumonia before and after treatment, beside 20 age matched, normal healthy children, to be used as control group. Significantly decreased serum zinc level and increased serum copper level were observed in active pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia before treatment. These changes were going hand in hand with the extent and severity of the disease. After treatment, no significant difference was observed in serum zinc and copper in both tuberculous and pneumonic children as compared to normal controls

Effect of parenteral terbutaline on serum immunoglobulins and ventilatory function tests in asthmatic children

This study was done in a trial to know the effect of terbutaline, given subcutaneously in a dose of 0.005 mg/kg, to asthmatic children during attacks. Two groups were studied: Group I: consisted of twenty patients [12 males and 8 females] with bronchial asthma during attacks. Their ages ranged from 5-12 years, and Group II: consisted of ten normal healthy children of an analogous age, sex and height. They were taken as a control group,. Ventilatory function tests [FEVI, FVC, FEVI%] were measured in both groups. In group I, the measurement was done before an half an hour after terbutaline injection. Serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE were measured in both groups. In group I, the measurement was done before and also half an hour after terbutaline injection. The results of the study showed that: [1] there was marked subjective and objective clinical response to subcutaneous terbutaline, [2] there was no subjective or objective side effects to terbutaline, [3] Ventilatory function tests [FEV1, FVC, FEV1%] improved significantly [P < 0.001], [4] IgG decreased insignificantly [P > 0.05], [5] IgA increased significantly [P < 0.01] after terbutatline, [6] IgM did not differ significantly after terbutaline [P > 0.05], and [7] IgE decreased significantly after injection [P < 0.001]

Serum alpha-1-antitrypsin in infants and children with wheezy chest

Serum alpha-1-antitrypsin [alpha 1-AT] was measured in 45 cases with wheezy chest [20 children with atopic bronchial asthma, 15 children with wheezy chest without personal or family history of atopy and 10 infants with manifestation of bronchiolitis], and 25 normal cases [15 normal children and 10 normal infants]. Results showed significant decrease in serum alpha 1-AT level in patients with atopic bronchial asthma [270 +/- 46.5 mg/dl] compared to normal control [315 +/- 35.5 mg/dl]. In this group of patients the study showed that the decrease of alpha 1-AT was marked in those patients with obstructive ventilatory dysfunction and the use of alpha 1-AT in the treatment of such cases may moderate the condition. On the contrary the mean level of alpha 1-AT was significantly high in wheezy chest with infection [non-atopic] [390 +/- 72.2 mg/dl]. In bronchiolitis the mean serum level of alpha 1-AT [251 +/- 45.8 mg/dl] was significantly decreased as compared to normal infants [309 +/- 61.7 mg/dl]