Prevalence of consanguineous marriages in South Sinai, Egypt.

A total of 3961 married couples from six major geographical areas representing the South Sinai governorates in Egypt were studied to assess the rate of consanguineous marriage. The population of six selected areas (St Catherines, Nuweiba, Abu Rudeis, Ras Sudr, El Tor and Abu Zenima) were subdivided into Bedouin, urban and mixed populations. A questionnaire-based interview was conducted showing that the consanguinity rate in this region is 37.5%, with the highest rate recorded in Abu Rudeis (52.3%) and lowest rate in Nuweiba (24.1%). Consanguinity was significantly higher among the Bedouin population compared with the urban population in Abu Rudeis, Ras Sudr, El Tor and Abu Zenima, while in St Catherines and Nuweiba there was no statistically significant difference. Among consanguineous couples, 5%, 60% and 35% were double first cousins, first cousins and second cousins respectively. The mean inbreeding coefficient α of the studied population was 0.01845.

Middle ear and hearing disorders of schoolchildren aged 7-10 years in South Sinai, Egypt.

Hearing loss among schoolchildren in developing countries is reported to be a significant health problem. Data on child hearing loss in South Sinai, a remote governorate of Egypt, are lacking. Middle ear diseases and hearing impairment were assessed among 453 primary-school children aged 7-10 years in South Sinai (906 ears). Otoscopic examination, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry (PTA) were done. Ear disease was found in 27.5% of the ears examined. The commonest cause was secretory otitis media (10.8%), followed by occluded earwax (9.5%). Mild and moderate hearing loss affected 8.5% of the sample, while sensorineural hearing loss affected 2.4%; only 0.4% had moderate and severe hearing loss. Hearing impairment affects 19.3% of this age group in South Sinai. None of the children with hearing impairment had been previously diagnosed or was receiving treatment and support. Hearing and middle ear screening at schools is recommended for early detection and management of middle ear and hearing problems.

Middle ear and hearing disorders of schoolchildren aged 7-10 years in South Sinai, Egypt

Hearing loss among schoolchildren in developing countries is reported to be a significant health problem. Data on child hearing loss in South Sinai, a remote governorate of Egypt, are lacking. Middle ear diseases and hearing impairment were assessed among 453 primary-school children aged 7-10 years in South Sinai [906 ears]. Otoscopic examination, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry [PTA] were done. Ear disease was found in 27.5% of the ears examined. The commonest cause was secretory otitis media [10.8%], followed by occluded earwax [9.5%]. Mild and moderate hearing loss affected 8.5% of the sample, while sensorineural hearing loss affected 2.4%; only 0.4% had moderate and severe hearing loss. Hearing impairment affects 19.3% of this age group in South Sinai. None of the children with hearing impairment had been previously diagnosed or was receiving treatment and support. Hearing and middle ear screening at schools is recommended for early detection and management of middle ear and hearing problems

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and sulfadimidin acetylation phenotypes in Egyptian oases.

Screening of 1315 males from two Egyptian oases for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G-6PD) found an incidence of 5.9%. The rate of acetylation of sulfadimidin was also studied, and a bimodal distribution was found with 73% rapid acetylators. There is a correlation between high frequency of G-6PD deficiency and high frequency of slow acetylation rate.

An investigation into the riboflavin status of young Egyptians from the oasis with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

The erythrocytic glutathione reductase activity was studied among 40 normal and G 6 PD-deficient males without or with intestinal parasitic infection. The results showed that the incidence of vitamin B2 deficiency was significantly higher (chi 2 P less than 0.05) among G 6 PD deficient subjects compared to corresponding incidence obtained with normal. Intestinal parasitism led to deterioration of the B2-status among both the normals and the subjects with G 6 PD deficiency.

The vitamin B1 status among young Egyptians from the oasis in relation to glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Erythrocyte transketolase activity was assayed and %TPP effect was calculated to define the vitamin B1 status among 63 young boys and girls from the Oasis with normal or G6PD-deficiency. Based on the mean %TPP values; 15.6, 75 and 60% of the studied normal, G6PD-deficient males and females; respectively were deficient in B1.

The vitamin E status among glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficient patients and effectiveness of oral vitamin E.

The effect of oral vitamin E therapy (800 IU/day) on correcting haematologic variables and on raising the plasma vitamin E level among glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficient subjects with history of hemolysis was studied. After 16 week period there was a positive response to vitamin E administration presented by sustained improvement in blood hemoglobin and plasma vitamin E concentrations. In the meanwhile, the vitamin E supplementation led to reduced reticulocytosis and control % hemolysis.