[Evaluation of IgG and IgM antibodies against Varicella zoster virus in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

Background and Objective: Varicella zoster virus [VZV] can cause a moderate disease in children, but with high risk of serious disease or death in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] Vaccination from infection can be safe, immunogenic, and effective in children with leukemia. This study was done to evaluate the IgG and IgM antibodies against VZV in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Methods: The descriptive-analytic study was performed on 66 children who were on chemotherapy in Dr Shigh hospital in Mashhad, Iran during 2012. Patients were receivied VZV vaccine. The title negative or positive serum sample for IgG-anti-VZV avidity was determined by using a test kit before and after injection of vaccines VZV for considering the efficacy of vaccines on pediatric patients

Results: Title serum sample IgG were positive in 32.6% patients, these children have history of chicken pox disease and to be safe against of VZV. 78.3% of the patients were negative for IgG antibody and sensitive against of VZV

Conclusion: Children with ALL receiving chemotherapy are sensitive to chicken pox disease according to negative IgG titer against VZV

[ effectiveness of kangaroo mother's care [KMC] method of low birth weight infants on maternal adjustment]

Introduction: Maternal adjustment process after giving birth is naturally a challenge, especially in a premature birth with low weight that can make some other problems too. Previously to take care of such infants, traditional methods like Incubator were used, but nowadays Kangaroo Maternal Care [KMC] method has been introduced and this study aims to determine the effectiveness of KMC method of low weigh infants on adaptation of Isfahanian mothers in 2009

Method: The research method was a clinical trial in which pre-test, post -test and a control group were used. Therefore, 60 mothers -20 to 41 years old- were selected by multistage sampling and were randomly assigned in experimental and control groups. Infants of experimental group were exposed to KMC method for 22 days and also control group infants received other caring methods for about 26 days. To collect data and measure the maternal adjustment, Bell Adjustment Questionnaire was used which is confirmed to be reliable and valid. The data were analyzed with statistical method of covariance analysis using SPSS v.17 software

Results: The mean age of mothers in experimental group was 28.4 and in control group it was 25.8. Also the mean birth weight of infants in experimental and control groups were 2.1 and 2.13 respectively. The results showed that there is a significant difference between the performance of experimental and control groups in Bell Adjustment Questionnaire, and also between the two groups in health and emotional adjustment scale [P<0.001]. So the mothers of KMC group had a better performance. Although no significant difference was observed in social adjustment scale [P<0.23], job compatibility [P<0.67], and fitness at home [P<0.09]

Conclusion: According to the results, it can be said that Kangaroo Mother's Care method increases the adjustment of mothers after giving birth of premature infants. Therefore KMC as a useful caring method is suggested in provision of mental health of mothers and newborn babies with low weight

effect of evidence-based practice treatment with cryotherapy on oral mucositis in children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Background and Purpose: Mucositis is one of the most debilitating side effects of chemotherapy, affecting around 52 to 81 percent of children undergoing chemotherapy. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Evidence-based care guidelines, with and without cryotherapy, on oral Mucositis in children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Methods and Materials: In this experimental study, 66 children of 3 to 15 years old undergoing chemotherapy were allocated randomly into three groups; evidence based practice with cryotherapy [EBP+Cryo], evidence based practice without cryotherapy [EBP], and the control group. For two experimental groups, the necessary care-giving, based on evidence based clinical guideline, were conducted. Cryotherapy was performed in one of the [EBP+Cryo] group. Mucositis was scored by Eilers and WHO scales. Data analysis was done in SPSS 11.5 using Kruskall Wallis, Spearman Correlation coefficient and Mann Whitney U test

Results: The frequency of Mucositis was 8.3% in the [EBP+Cryo] group, 40% in the [EBP] group and 90% in the control group [p<0.0001]. Mean intensity of Mucositis was normal in the first two groups, and 14 in the control group [p<0.0001]

Conclusion: Evidence-based guidelines application has a significant positive effect on Mucositis, reducing the frequency and intensity of oral Mucositis

[Prevalence and risk factors of intraventricular hemorrhage in premature newborns less than 35 weeks in neonatal intensive care units of Isfahan]

Intraventricular hemorrhage [IVH] is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in premature infants. IVH can cause motor deficit, cerebral palsy, behavioral and intellectual disability in preterm newborns. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of IVH in premature infants with a gestational of less than 35 weeks. From 2003-2005 we prospectively studied 167 preterm newborns less than 35 weeks at Alzahra and Shahid beheshti hospitals- Isfahan- Iran. Skull sonography performed at 7th day of life and IVH graded from grade 1-4. The exclusion criterion was neonatal death before the 7[th] day of life. Brain sonography was conducted at day 7 after birth, and IVH was categorized to four degrees. The association of maternal and neonatal characteristics with IVH was evaluated. The prevalence of IVH was 19.5% in newborns < 35 weeks and 25% in newborns < 1500 grams. The prevalence of IVH significantly correlated with gestational age [p=0.005] and low birth weight [p=0.002]. From 167 infants, 9[5.3%] had grade 1 IVH, 14[8.3%] had grade 2 IVH, 9[5.3%] had grade 3 IVH and 1[0.5%] infant had grade 4 IVH. The other important risk factors for IVH were low 5-minute apgar score, duration of mechanical ventilation, vaginal delivery, duration of oxygen therapy, endotracheal suctioning, low platelet count and surfactant use. The protecting factors included maternal steroids therapy, higher birth weight and higher gestational age. This study emphasizes on the importance of recognizing the risk factors of IVH. With reduction of these risk factors, the incidence of this critical disease can be reduced in newborns

[Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy [Rosai-Dorfman disease]: a case report]

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy [SHML] or Rosai-Dorfman disease [RDD] is a rare benign histiocytic disease of unknown etiology, usually associated with lymph node enlargement in various superficial or deep sites. It usually shows a prolonged clinical course with occasional exacerbation and remission phases. In this article case of RDD in a 5-year-old male with large right inguinal and bilateral cervical lymphadenopathies were, occasional fever and anemia was described. The clinical presentation, histopathologic characteristics, and treatments of RDD were discussed

[Evaluation of hypogonadism with Major Thalassemia]

Although new treatments have prolonged survival and improved quality of life in the patients with major Thalassemia, endocrine complications especially hypogonadotropic hypogonaidsm still occur. The objective of this study is to determine prevalence and risk factors of hypogonaidsm in 47 patients with major Thalassemia. 47 patients with Thalassemia major aged 14 years and older were studied. Those who had any other problems were omitted from this study. Serum level of LH, FSH, Testestrone, Estradiol were measured and correlation with parameters including duration of transfusion, duration and dose of Desferal treatment, Ferretin level and pertinent clinical findings was evaluated and compared in groups of patients with and without hypogonaidsm. Short stature and underweight was seen in 68/1% of patients. Mean hight was 151 +/- 10.2 and mean of weight was 43.5 +/- 8.4. Hypogonadotropic hypogonaidsm was seen in 63/8 %. The prevalence of hypogonaidsm was more in males than females [p= 0.025]. No significant correlation was found between duration of transfusion, duration and dose of Desferal treatment and Ferretin level with hypogonaidsm. Endocrin complications of Major Thalassemia is frequent and factors other than iron overload including zinc deficiency or genetic differences may influence susceptibility to hypogonaidsm

Juvenile granulosa cell tumour of the ovary in a 7 month-old infant

Juvenile granulosa cell tumor [JGCT] is one of the rare sex cord-stromal tumours of the ovary occurring in the first two decades of life .It makes less than 5% of ovarian tumours in childhood and adolescence

It is different from adult granulosa cell tumor that is seen in older females with respect to clinical and pathological features as well as biological behaviour. In this article we report a case of juvenile granulosa cell tumor of the right ovary in a 7-month-old infant which was presented with vaginal bleeding

case report of botryoid sarcoma of biliary tract

Rhabdomyosarcoma of biliary tract system [RMS/BT] is a very rare form of RMS that usually presents with jaundice in young children. In some rane cases icter disappears transiently and causes delay in diagnosis, there fore this condition must be included in differential diagnosis of obstructive jaundice in infants and children

Ultrasonography is very useful for diagnosis of abdominal mass and clarifying it's relationship with the biliary tract system. Surgery is critical for estabilishing accurate diagnosis and determining the extent of regional disease, but aggressive surgery is not recommended because, despite gross residual mass after surgery the outcome of chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy is sufficient. Because this tumor is very rare and its treatment has improved in recent years we report a case of RMS/BT in a 15-month girl who presented with abdominal mass and history of obstructive jaundice