Vitamin B12 status in Omani population-preliminary observations

One hunared and twenty three Omani Blood donors and 190 patients were investigated for the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency is not uncommon in the Omani population The prevalence is high in females both in blood donors and in patients. In majority of females, vitamin B12 deficiency is also associated with depleted iron stores. The major cause for vitamin B12 deficiency appears to be poor intake and/or blood loss. The prevalence of pernicious anaemia is rare in the patient population in whom the serum B12 levels are low. A protocol to look for pernicious anaemia in vitaminB12 deficiency is proposed

Precocious puberty in a boy with hCG secreting tumour in the pituitary gland

We present a rare case of germinoma initially presenting with features of cranial diabetes insipidus, which responded to treatment with intranasal DDAVP. Thirteen months later the patient re-presented with signs of precocious puberty due to ectopic hCG secretion by the tumour. This is an unusual presentation of a rare tumour in children

Thyroid antibodies in healthy Omani population

One hundred and twenty five healthy blood donors and laboratory staff were screened for the presence of thyroperoxidase and thyroglobulin autoantibodies In their sera. Sixteen percent of this small population had one or both of the antibodies. Thyroid function were normal in all except one subject. The prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in healthy populations and their role in clinical practice are discussed

Light chain multiple myeloma: a lesson to learn

This case report is to emphasise the importance of investigating urine as well as the serum for monoclonal band if multiple myeloma [MM] is suspected. On many occasions a specimen of serum is sent alone without the urine specimen to exclude myelomatosis. It is important to note that in light chain myeloma, which contributes to about 20% of myelomatosis, the diagnosis could be easily missed or unnecessarily delayed if only serum is investigated as it happened with the present case

case of hypertension secondary to 17 hydroxylase deficiency- A first in Oman?

Haas was a sixteen-year old phenotypic female with a history of severe hypertension of many years' duration and primary amenorrhoea. On examination, she was found to have clitoromegaly and there was no axial hair growth or breast development. Ultrasound revealed a hypoplastic uterus and no ovaries. The karyotype was 46 XY. She was investigated for congenital adrenal hyperplasia [CAH] and was diagnosed as being 17 hydroxylase/17,20 lyase deficient on the basis of clinical and biochemical findings

Adipsic hypernatremia with a reset osmostat, A clinical study

This case clinical study describes a 10-years old boy with idiopathic adipsic hypernatremia associated with reset [shift to right] osmostat for arginine vasopressin [AVP] secretion, combined with a relative deficiency of AVP. His clinical course was characterised by intermittent exacerbation of chronic hypernatremia due to lack of thirst. The pathophysiology of adipsic hypernatremia and the practical difficulties in the management are discussed

frequencies of HbS, alpha and beta-thalassaemia in Saudi Arabia: preliminary national values

The frequency of sickle cell haemoglobin [HbS] alpha[1]-type thalassaemia and beta-thalassaemia were determined amongst 1000 Saudi subjects of a population in the Eastern Province which is representative of all parts of Saudi Arabia. Frequencies were: HbS, 0.068; alpha[1]-type thalassaemia, 0.065; beta-thalassaemia, 0.035. These values differ from those of other peninsular Arab states in that Saudi Arabia has the highest frequency of HbS and beta-thalassaemia but the lowest frequency of alpha[1]-type thalassaemia. The significance of these findings are discussed