Thalassemia, iron and G6PD deficiency in Lor migrating nomad children, Southern Iran

Ferropenia and consequent iron deficiency anemia [IDA], beta-thalassemia, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] deficiency are three main common hematologic problems in Iran. This study was conducted on the prevalence of these problems in Lor migrating nomads ethnic group in southern Iran. From June to October 2006, the blood samples of 79 Lor migrating nomadic children including 53 [67.1%] male and 26 [32.9%] female were checked for iron indices and G6PD deficiency. The family history of favism, thalassemiaand, signs and symptoms in relation to anemia of participants were evaluated. RBC count, different types of Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, SI, TIBC and SF were determined immediately after blood sampling. Fourteen [17.7%] children had SF<12 ng/mL while the prevalence of this low serum ferritin was higher in females than males [19.2% vs. 17%]. The low hemoglobin [Hb] level had statistical correlation with the low serum ferritin level. Among all participants, the prevalence of G6PD deficiency was 10.1%, and all of them were male children. The prevalence of beta-thalassemia was 2.5% and all were male. The prevalence of IDA was 17.7%. Although IDA figure is less than those reported in other developing countries [25-35%]; but it shows that Lor tribes in southern Iran are still behind the health status of developed countries [5-8%]. Even the prevalence of beta-thalassemia is not very high, but regarding the devastating potential risk of Cooley's anemia; a careful performance of Iranian thalassemia program is recommended. It seems that G6PD deficiency is prevalent in Lor nomads, so establishment of educational programs and investigation on their dietary habits seem to be a good way to prevent the favism occurrence

Torsion of wandering spleen and resulting rupture of splenic hilum with whorled sign in CT: a case report

Torsion of a wandering spleen is an atypical cause of an acute abdomen. Herein we report a case of a wandering spleen in a 24 year-old female patient who presented with vague clinical findings of acute abdomen, a laparotomy was performed and the infracted spleen was removed. In such cases, prompt intervention to prevent complications is mandatory

Cost of care in Iranian hemophilic patients

Lifetime treatment of persons with hemophilia entails a heavy financial burden. The main goal of this study was to determine the factors influencing care cost of hemophilia A in southern Iran. The present study comprised 88 of 170 hemophilia A patients who had been registered and virtually treated in Fars Hemophilia Treatment Center in southern Iran. The data concerning patients' characteristics and medication schedules were collected from their past medical records and staff interviews. The scale utilized by the Hemophilia Utilization Group Study [HUGS] was used to assess the status of patients' functional health. The severe, moderate and mild deficiencies of factor eight were found in 43.2%, 21.6% and 35.2% of 88 patients respectively. The mean age in the study group was 21.8 years [ +/- 12.2] and 58 [65.9%] enjoyed high health status. In regard to laboratory records, 25 [28.4%] patients were HCV-positive, 2 [2.3%] HBS-positive and all were HIV negative. The average cost of care for a patient with Hemophilia A was dollar 8,510 [ +/- 8,066] and the total annual costs were significantly [p< 0.05] associated with: severity of arthropathy, presence of factor eight inhibitor and its titer, severity of factor eight deficiency, positive HCV infection and functional health status. Costs unrelated to foregoing factors included only 1% of the total. The total cost of patient care was correlated with severity of factor deficiency, arthropathy, positive HCV infection and functional health status. Financial resources to meet factor-unrelated costs should increase, in order to provide patients with improved quality of medical care

evaluation of common visual disorders in primary school children in Fasa City

Population based data concerning the prevalence of visual impairment in children are not readily available in Iran. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of common visual disorders [ambtyopia, strabismus and refractive errors] in a group of primary school children and to compare the findings with similar studies. Ten percent of the primary school children in Fasa were selected by systematic random method. They enrolled into prospective vision screening program combining the identification arm [screening] and diagnostic/treatment arm [ophthalmic examination].The screening consisted of Snellen chart presented at 6 meters test distance. An ophthalmologist in ophthalmology clinic examined each child failing the vision screening. 1224 children were screened during the 1999-2000 academic year.196 [16%] failed the vision screening [VA