Can Exchange Transfusion Normalize Serum Levels of Copper, Zinc, and Magnesium in Severe Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia?

BACKGROUND: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a frequently encountered problem. Erythrocytes, especially reticulocytes are rich in copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) so its serum levels increase after hemolysis. Zinc (Zn) plays an important role in synthesis of some enzymes included in the bilirubin metabolism and may cause hemolysis. Exchange transfusion is the main treatment for severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia but can exchange transfusion affect the previous trace elements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured Cu, Zn, and Mg serum levels in full-term neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Minia University hospital with severe indirect hyperbilirubinemia before and after exchange transfusion. RESULTS: There were significant higher serum Cu and Mg and lower Zn serum levels in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia than controls and their levels were significantly normalized after exchange transfusion. Significant positive correlations between the total bilirubin levels and hemoglobin, Cu and Mg serum levels and significant negative correlations with Zn levels were present. There were no significant correlations between maternal and neonatal serum levels of any of them. CONCLUSIONS: Exchange transfusion can normalize the significant higher Cu and Mg and lower Zn serum levels in neonates with severe indirect hyperbilirubinemia which were not related to their maternal serum levels.

Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) Approach in management of Children with High Grade Fever ≥ 39°.

BACKGROUND: Fever is one of the most frequently encountered pediatric problems, accounting for 25% of visits to pediatric emergency room. There is no specific standardized approach to reach to a final diagnosis in children with fever as this may be difficult and individualized for each child. The integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) approach is an approach designed to reach a classification rather than a specific diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: Comparison between IMCI and Non-IMCI approaches in management of children with high grade fever≥ 39°. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study carried out on 50 children less than five years old presented with fever ≥ 39° attended the outpatient clinic of Minia university hospital from September 2012 to May 2014. These 50 children divided into 2 groups: group I (25 children) subjected to the (IMCI) approach and group II (25 children) subjected to the traditional approach. RESULTS: Most of children according to the IMCI approach (64%) were classified and diagnosed during the first day, while most of children in traditional approach were diagnosed by the fourth (34%) or fifth day (20%). Sixty percent of children treated according to IMCI approach were improved clinically compared to 12% in traditional approach. Forty percent of children treated according to traditional approach had worse outcomes compared to 16% treated according to the IMCI. CONCLUSION: The IMCI approach can be applied upon children under five years old with high grade fever to reach to a classification, early diagnosis, much better outcomes and less daily cost than the traditional approach.

Ocular Surface Disorders in a Group of Egyptian Children with End Stage Renal Failure on Dialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose. To investigate tear function, ocular manifestations, and squamous metaplasia of the conjunctival epithelium (SMCE) in children with end stage renal failure (ESRF) on dialysis. Methods. Thirty children with ESRF and 20 age and sex matched controls during the period from January 2014 to May 2015 underwent full ophthalmologic examination and the tear function was investigated by the Schirmer and tear film break-up time (TBUT) tests. SMCE was evaluated by impression cytology and immunocytochemistry. The correlations of tear function status with ESRF-related clinical and biochemical variables were measured statistically. Results. Dry eye symptoms were detected in 26% of children with ESRF, compared with none of the controls (P = 0.05) and SMCE was almost absent. Values of the Schirmer and TBUT tests were significantly lower in children with ESRF for right eye (t = 24.63, P = 0.01, and t = 11.9, P = 0.002, resp.) and left eye (t = 24.7, P = 0.02, and t = 11.4, P = 0.0004, resp.). TBUT and the Schirmer test values were correlated inversely with the duration of ESRF (R = -0.45, P = 0.01, and R = -0.46, P = 0.01, resp.) and with the duration of dialysis (R = -0.39, P = 0.03, and R = -0.45, P = 0.01, resp.). None of the following parameters was associated with distorted tear function including serum creatinine, electrolytes, parathyroid hormone, total protein, albumin, CBC parameters, and systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion. The basal tear secretion and tear film stability were lower while the dry eye symptoms such as itching and redness were more common among children with ESRF. The duration of ESRF and dialysis duration seem to be related to the disturbances in tear secretion and tear film stability. However, SMCE is very rare.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, Cytomegalovirus, and Human Immunodeficiency Viruses in Multitransfused Thalassemic Children in Upper Egypt.

Background. Frequent blood transfusions in thalassemia major children expose them to the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in thalassemic children attending the Pediatrics Departments of both Sohag and Minia Universities of Upper Egypt, during the period from May 2014 to May 2015. Methods. Serum samples were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, anti-CMV, and anti-HIV type 1 and type 2 using the Vitek Immunodiagnostic Assay System. Results. The frequencies of anti-HCV, HBsAg, anti-CMV, and anti-HIV type 1 and type 2 were found to be 37.11%, 4.12%, 4.12%, 0.00%, and 0.00%, respectively. Seropositivity for anti-HCV, HBsAg, and anti-CMV increased with increasing age of the patients, duration of the disease, serum ferritin level (ng/mL), and liver enzymes (U/L), while it was not significantly associated with gender, frequency of blood transfusion, or the status of splenectomy operation (P > 0.05). Conclusion. The frequency of TTIs, especially HCV, is considerably high among Egyptian children with thalassemia major. It is therefore important to implement measures to improve blood transfusion screening, such as polymerase chain reaction, in order to reduce TTIs from blood donor units.

First case of intestinal acariasis from Egypt.

We are hereby reporting a case where the eggs and adults of the mold mites; Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Shrank) and the trophozoites of Blastocystis sp. were found in stool of three years old child from Minia City, Egypt. Intestinal mite infection was diagnosed after repeated identification of mite' stages from six consecutive stool samples to exclude the possibilities of contamination and spurious infection. The patient was suffering from severe colicky abdominal pain and burning sensation around the anus one month ago. All other members of his family were having the same acarine in their feces, but were all symptomless. The patient was treated with ivermectin 200 µg/kg body weight once every 10 days for three doses. His cure indicated that he was having asymptomatic blastocystosis.

Use of cloud-point preconcentration for spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of antimony in biological and environmental samples.

This work presents a cloud-point extraction process using the micelle-mediated extraction method for simultaneous preconcentration and determination of Sb(III) and Sb(V) species in biological and environmental samples as a prior preconcentration step to their spectrophotometric determination. The analytical system is based on the selective reaction between Sb(III) and 3-dichloro-6-(3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-1-naphthylazo)quinoxaline (DCHNAQ) in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and potassium iodide at pH 4.5. Total Sb concentration was determined after reduction of Sb(V) to Sb(III) in the presence of potassium iodide and ascorbic acid. The optimal reaction conditions and extraction were studied, and the analytical characteristics of the method (e.g., limits of detection and quantification, linear range, preconcentration, improvement factors) were obtained. Linearity for Sb(III) was obeyed in the range of 0.2-20 ng ml(-1). The detection and quantification limits for the determination of Sb(III) were 0.055 and 0.185 ng ml(-1), respectively. The method has a lower detection limit and wider linear range, inexpensive instrument, and low cost, and is more sensitive compared with most other methods. The interference effect of some anions and cations was also studied. The method was applied to the determination of Sb(III) in the presence of Sb(V) and total antimony in blood plasma, urine, biological, and water samples.

Adiponectin, leptin and insulin levels at birth and in early postnatal life in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) occurs in one to three per 1000 live full-term births. Fifteen to twenty percent will die in the postnatal period, and an additional 25 % will develop severe and permanent neuropsychological sequalae. The control of growth and nutritional status in the fetus and neonate is a complex mechanism, in which also hormones produced by adipose tissue, such as adiponectin and leptin are involved. The aim of this study was to measure the levels of adiponectin, leptin and insulin in neonates with HIE at birth and in early postnatal life and comparing them with normal healthy AGA and SGA neonates. METHODS: This study carried out on 80 full-term neonates born in Minia university hospital during the period from May 2013 to December 2014. They were divided into group I included 25 neonates with HIE and group II included 55 normal healthy neonates (30 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and 25 small for gestational age (SGA)). Weight, length, head circumference, body mass index (BMI), glucose, adiponectin, leptin and insulin levels were measured for all neonates. Adiponectin, leptin and insulin levels were compared between neonates with HIE and normal healthy neonates as well as between AGA and SGA neonates at birth, 2nd and 6th days of life. RESULTS: Adiponectin and leptin levels were significantly higher at birth then began to decrease during the first postnatal week in all neonates while insulin level increased during the same period. Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower while serum leptin and insulin levels were significantly higher in neonates with HIE than healthy neonates. In all neonates, the serum adiponectin level was positively correlated at birth with weight, length, BMI and leptin levels but not with insulin level. In neonates with HIE, serum adiponectin level was not correlated with weight, BMI, leptin level or insulin level. In all neonates, the serum leptin level was positively correlated at birth with body weight, height and BMI. In neonates with HIE serum leptin levels were not correlated with weight, BMI or insulin level after birth. There were no correlations between either leptin or adiponectin serum levels or any of the studied parameters in neonates with HIE. CONCLUSIONS: Neonates who are suffering from HIE had lower serum levels of adiponectin and higher serum levels of leptin and insulin than normal healthy neonates at birth and during the early postnatal period. The decline of leptin and increased the insulin levels after birth in all neonates may be important for the stimulation of feeding behavior and the acquisition of energy homeostasis during the early postnatal life. Positive significant correlations between adiponectin, leptin, body weight and body mass indices were present in normal healthy neonates but not in neonates with HIE reflecting the effect of hypoxia on the regulatory mechanisms controlling the adipose tissue functions.

Correlations between maternal and neonatal serum selenium levels in full term neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

UNLABELLED: Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is an important cause of brain injury in the newborn and can result devastating consequences. The principle mechanisms underlying neurological damage in HIE resulting from hypoxemia and/or ischemia is deprivation of glucose and oxygen supply which energy failure. A consequent reperfusion injury often deteriorates the brain metabolism by increasing the oxidative stress damage. Selenium is a constituent of the antioxidant enzyme Glutathione peroxidase and is vital to antioxidant defense. This study aimed to measure the serum selenium levels in full term neonates with HIE and their mothers and to correlate between them and the severity of HIE. METHODS: The study included 60 full term neonates with HIE admitted to NICU of Minia university hospital during the period from January 2014 to February 2015. Twenty apparently healthy full term neonates selected as a control group. After history taking and careful clinical examination; all neonates were subjected to: Complete blood count, renal and liver function tests and serum electrolytes. Serum selenium was measured for all neonates and their mothers within 48 h of life using atomic flame spectrophotometer method. RESULTS: Neonates with HIE had significant lower serum selenium levels than normal healthy neonates (p = 0.001**) with the lowest levels in neonates with severe HIE but there were no significant differences between patients and controls as regards the maternal serum selenium levels. Significant negative correlations between serum selenium levels and the severity of HIE and base excess were present, while positive significant correlations were present with Apgar score and pH. There were no correlations between serum selenium levels and maternal serum selenium levels urea or creatinine levels. CONCLUSIONS: Neonates with HIE had lower serum selenium level than normal healthy neonates which is not dependent on the maternal serum selenium levels and was negatively correlated with the severity of HIE.

An Egyptian child with erythromelalgia responding to a new line of treatment: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Erythromelalgia is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by episodic erythema, warmth and intense burning pain, which commonly involves the extremities. For those affected, this disorder may lead to significant long-term morbidity. Unfortunately, to date, no definitive therapy is available. This case report describes an Egyptian child with primary erythromelalgia that manifested at an early age and showed partial response to therapy with cetirizine hydrochloride. This anecdotal case report may have a diagnostic value for clinicians who have not seen this disorder. CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-month-old previously healthy right-handed Hamitic boy without any significant past medical history presented at the age of 2 years with episodic bilateral pain in his feet. His mother reported associated warmth and erythema localized to his feet that never extended beyond his ankle joints. This pain is triggered by exertion and/or warm temperature exposure and is relieved by cooling measures. The diagnosis of erythromelalgia was made based on the patient's medical history and a thorough physical examination during the episodes. No evidence of local or systemic infection was present. Other causes for the symptoms were excluded by a negative extensive diagnostic work-up. Our patient did not respond to ibuprofen (15mg/kg/dose) three times a day but partial improvement with the oral non-sedating antihistaminic cetirizine hydrochloride (2.5mg/kg/once daily) was observed. When the child stopped cetirizine hydrochloride for 1 month as a test, the symptoms became aggravated and were relieved when cetirizine therapy was restarted. Cetirizine hydrochloride had not previously been reported to have this effect in children with erythromelalgia. CONCLUSIONS: Erythromelalgia is a clinical syndrome of which the etiology, diagnosis and management are controversial. We describe a case of a 34-month-old Egyptian child with primary erythromelalgia that manifested at an early age. We believe that this is the first Egyptian case report of this kind in the literature. Partial response of this patient to cetirizine hydrochloride may grant us a new clue to understanding this mysterious condition.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection in a Group of Egyptian Children With Upper Gastro-Intestinal Bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a life threatening condition in children. Common sources of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children include mucosal lesions and variceal hemorrhage. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram negative spiral-shaped bacterium that is found in the gastric mucous layer or adherent to the epithelial lining of the stomach. It causes more than 90% of duodenal ulcers and up to 70-80% of gastric ulcers. The relationship between H. pylori infection and upper GIT bleeding in children is still un-clear. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of H. pylori infection in children presented with upper GIT bleeding and correlation between H. pylori infection and endoscopic findings of the cause of bleeding. METHODS: The study included 70 children presented with upper GIT bleeding indicated for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy admitted in pediatric department, Minia University Hospital, Egypt during the period from February 2010 to December 2012. Thirty healthy children were included as a control group with age and sex matched. After medical history taking and physical examination all children were exposed for laboratory investigations (CBC, prothrombin time and concentration, liver function tests, hepatitis viral markers, blood urea and serum creatinine and Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test). Upper endoscopy was done for patients only. Patients were classified into variceal and non variceal groups according to upper endoscopy. RESULTS: Helico-pylori infection was significantly higher in children with non-variceal bleeding than controls (P = 0.02) and children with variceal bleeding (P = 0.03) with no significant difference between children with variceal bleeding and controls (P = 0.9). Both weights and BMIs centile were significantly lower in variceal and non-variceal groups than controls (P = 0.01 & 0.001 and 0.01 & 0.001 respectively). AST, ALT and direct bilirubin levels were significantly higher in variceal group than controls (P = 0.001, 0.004 & 0.001 respectively). Prothrombin concentration and albumin levels were significantly lower in variceal group than controls (P = 0.001 & 0.01 respectively). Hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in variceal and non-variceal groups than controls (P = 0.01 & 0.001 respectively). No significant differences were present as regards age, sex, height or platelets count between cases (variceal and non-variceal) and controls. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection is significantly higher in children with non-variceal bleeding than controls. No significant difference between children with variceal bleeding and controls. Triad of increased ALT, decreased albumin levels and negative H. pylori infection could be a significant triad in predicting variceal bleeding as a cause of upper GIT bleeding in children.

Determination of thallium at ultra-trace levels in water and biological samples using solid phase spectrophotometry.

A new simple, very sensitive, selective and accurate procedure for the determination of trace amounts of thallium(III) by solid-phase spectrophotometry (SPS) has been developed. The procedure is based on fixation of Tl(III) as quinalizarin ion associate on a styrene-divinylbenzene anion-exchange resin. The absorbance of resin sorbed Tl(III) ion associate is measured directly at 636 and 830 nm. Thallium(I) was determined by difference measurements after oxidation of Tl(I) to Tl(III) with bromine. Calibration is linear over the range 0.5-12.0 µg L(-1) of Tl(III) with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.40% (n=10). The detection and quantification limits are 150 and 495 ng L(-1) using 0.6 g of the exchanger. The molar absorptivity and Sandell sensitivity are also calculated and found to be 1.31×10(7) L mol(-1)cm(-1) and 0.00156 ng cm(-2), respectively. The proposed procedure has been successfully applied to determine thallium in water, urine and serum samples.

Zinc, ferritin, magnesium and copper in a group of Egyptian children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a behavioral syndrome of childhood characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. There were many etiological theories showed dysfunction of some brain areas that are implicated in inhibition of responses and functions of the brain. Minerals like zinc, ferritin, magnesium and copper may play a role in the pathogenesis and therefore the treatment of this disorder. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure levels of zinc, ferritin, magnesium and copper in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and comparing them to normal. METHODS: This study included 58 children aged 5-15 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder attending Minia University Hospital from June 2008 to January 2010. They were classified into three sub-groups: sub-group I included 32 children with in-attentive type, sub-group II included 10 children with hyperactive type and sub-group III included 16 children with combined type according to the DSM-IV criteria of American Psychiatric Association, 2000. The control group included 25 apparently normal healthy children. RESULTS: Zinc, ferritin and magnesium levels were significantly lower in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than controls (p value 0.04, 0.03 and 0.02 respectively), while copper levels were not significantly different (p value 0.9). Children with inattentive type had significant lower levels of zinc and ferritin than controls (p value 0.001 and 0.01 respectively) with no significant difference between them as regards magnesium and copper levels (p value 0.4 and 0.6 respectively). Children with hyperactive type had significant lower levels of zinc, ferritin and magnesium than controls (p value 0.01, 0.02 and 0.02 respectively) with no significant difference between them as regards copper levels (p value 0.9). Children with combined type had significant lower levels of zinc and magnesium than controls (p value 0.001 and 0.004 respectively) with no significant difference between them as regards ferritin and copper levels (p value 0.7 and 0.6 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder had lower levels of zinc, ferritin and magnesium than healthy children but had normal copper levels.

Safety of patient meals in 2 hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt before and after training of food handlers.

We assessed the food safety knowledge and food handling practices of 23 food handlers in 2 hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt [Gamal Abdel Nasser (GAN) and Medical Research Institute (MRI)] before and after a food safety training programme, and also the bacteriological quality of patient meals and kitchen equipment. There was a significant improvement in all knowledge-associated parameters except for personal hygiene in GAN. There was an improvement in the food safety practices in both hospitals. The bacteriological quality of most patient meals and food preparation surfaces and utensils improved after training. The bacteriological quality of patients' meals served in GAN was generally better than that in MRI.

Safety of patient meals in 2 hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt before and after training of food handlers

We assessed the food safety knowledge and food handling practices of 23 food handlers in 2 hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt [Gamal Abdel Nasser [GAN] and Medical Research Institute [MRI]] before and after a food safety training programme, and also the bacteriological quality of patient meals and kitchen equipment. There was a significant improvement in all knowledge-associated parameters except for personal hygiene in GAN. There was an improvement in the food safety practices in both hospitals. The bacteriological quality of most patient meals and food preparation surfaces and utensils improved after training. The bacteriological quality of patients' meals served in GAN was generally better than that in MRI

National serosurvey of post vaccination poliovirus antibody in Saudi Arabia.

This is a national seroprevalence study conducted in Saudi Arabai in 1991G to determine postvaccination poliovirus antibody. Two hundred and nine children vaccinated with three oral polio vaccines at three, four, and five months of age were included in the study representing the five main regions in Saudi Arabia. Blood samples were collected at the age of nine months. Cytopathic effect (CPE) neutralization was used to determine the level of polio antibody. A dilution of 1/8th or more was defined as positive. Seventy-nine percent, 88% and 65% of the children were positive for Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3, respetively. Development of a new strategy of polio vaccination is needed.