Two regimens of dexamethasone versus prednisolone for acute exacerbations in asthmatic Egyptian children.

Introduction: Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic respiratory diseases, which often leads to an emergency department visit. Prednisolone is the most commonly used corticosteroid in treatment of asthma exacerbation. Oral dexamethasone demonstrates bioavailability similar to that of oral prednisolone but has a longer half-life. Objective: To evaluate in adouble-blind, randomised clinical trial the efficacy of different doses of dexamethasone versus prednisolone in controlling asthma exacerbations in children. Methods: We recruited 60 patients with asthma exacerbation, aged 2-11 years. Participants were randomly divided into three groups (20 patients each). Group I received a single dose of oral dexamethasone 0.3 mg/kg (maximum 12 mg), group II received 0.6 mg/kg/day of oral dexamethasone for 2 days (maximum 16 mg/day) and group III received 1.5 mg/kg/day oral prednisolone for 5 days (maximum 60 mg/day). Our primary outcomes were changes in Paediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM), eosinophilic count and serum immunoglobulin E on day 5. Secondary endpoints were reporting any adverse effects and relapse rate during the 5 days. After 30 days, the Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire (ATAQ) was given to the parents of the recruited patients. Results: Among the three study groups, there was a highly statistically significant difference in IgE level, saturated oxygen, peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity, PRAM and Modified Pulmonary Index Score; however, the eosinophilic count was significantly lower within the same group. Vomiting, gastrointestinal tract cramps, ATAQ and relapse rate showed a non-statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Single-dose dexamethasone was at least as effective as 5-day course of prednisolone in controlling asthma, while dexamethasone for 2 days was non-inferior to 5 days of prednisolone in children with asthma exacerbation.

Penile and Testicular Measurements in Male Neonates and Infants: Single Center Egyptian Study.

BACKGROUND: Universal reference values of penile length, circumferences and testicular volume in newborns and infants are inappropriate to be used in variable ethnic backgrounds. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to establish normal reference values for stretched penile length, penile circumference and testicular volume for Egyptian newborn and infants. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study included 1850 healthy male full term newborn and infants applied for routine check-up, aged 0 -24 months, the newborn and infants were recruited from Tanta University Hospital in the period from July 2015 to January 2017. Penile length, penile circumference, testicular volume, weight, length and occipito-frontal circumference were measured. RESULTS: The studied infants were divided into five groups. Group I: 1-4 weeks, the mean penile length was 3.51 ± 0.49 cm, penile circumference was 3.95 ± 0.48 cm, and testicular size was (right 1.81 ± 0.44 cm and left 1.67 ± 0.47 cm). Group II: > 1-6 months age, the mean penile length was 3.99 ± 0.46 cm, penile circumference was 4.10 ± 0.38 cm, and testicular size was (right 2.10 ± 0.33 cm and left 2.04 ± 0.27 cm). Group III: >6-12 months age, the mean penile length was 4.45 ± 0.48 cm, penile circumference was 4.21 ± 0.33 cm, and testicular size was (right 2.13 ± 0.33 cm and left 2.06 ± 0.28 cm). Group IV: >12-18 months age, the mean penile length was 4.55 ± 0.54 cm, penile circumference was 4.28 ± 0.32 cm, and testicular size was (right 2.12 ± 0.33 cm and left 2.09 ± 0.32 cm). Group V: >18-24 months age, the mean penile length was 4.89 ± 0.63 cm, penile circumference was 4.45 ± 0.33 cm, and testicular size was (right 2.28 ± 0.45 cm and left 2.25 ± 0.45 cm). There were significant positive correlations between penile length, penile circumference, left and right testicular volumes with each other and also with all other anthropometric measures including: weight, height and head circumference. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The age-related values of penile and testicular measurements must be known to be able to determine the abnormal sizes and to monitor treatment of underlying diseases. Our study is a step to achieve accurate reference values of penile and testicular measurements for Egyptian male newborns and infants. Therefore multicenter studies are recommended to establish Egyptian norms.

Therapeutic value of combined therapy with deferiprone and silymarin as iron chelators in Egyptian children with beta thalassemia major.

BACKGROUND: Beta Thalassemia is inherited anemia characterized by absent or reduced synthesis of ß-globin chains of hemoglobin, caused by ß-globin gene mutations resulting in chronic hemolytic anemia that requires 'repeated blood transfusion with resulting iron overload'. Silymarin has iron chelating activity in thalassemic patients with iron overload. AIM OF THE WORK: was to study the therapeutic value of combined therapy of Deferiprone and silymarin as iron chelators in Egyptian children with beta thalassemia with iron overload'. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 'This study was conducted on 80 beta thalassemic children with their serum ferritin more than 1000 ng/ml who were divided into two groups'. Group I included 40 patients who were treated with oral Deferiprone and silymarin for 9 months. Group II included 40 patients who were treated with oral Deferiprone and placebo for 9 months. RESULTS: 'There were no significant differences in serum ferritin, iron and TIBC between group I and group II before the study but after regular chelation therapy, serum ferritin and iron were significantly lower in group I than group II. No statistically significant differences in serum creatinine, blood urea, ALT, AST and bilirubin levels between Group I and Group II before and after chelation therapy were observed'. CONCLUSION: Deferiprone in combination with silymarin are better iron chelators than Deferiprone and placebo. RECOMMENDATIONS: 'Extensive multicenter studies in large number of patients with longer follow up period and more advanced methods of assessment of iron status to clarify the exact role of silymarin in reduction of iron over load in thalassemic children'.