Introduction: Acute leukemias are a group of malignancies with clinical, morphologic, immunologic, and molecular patterns and display patterns of surface antigen expression (CD antigens). Precursor cells from different blast cells in acute leukemia express different subdivisions of surface molecules many of which are now defined as cluster of differentiation (CD) antigens. Every leukemia type has specific set of CD markers, what constitute nowadays current classification of hematopoietic malignancies and the basis of diagnosis. The expression of CD markers on leukocytes can be determined by flowcytometry. Immunophenotyping improves both accuracy and reproducibility of acute leukemia classification. Flow cytometry is a technique used to analyze multiple phenotypic and functional parameters simultaneously within a single cell or a population of cells. Aim of the work: Assess the prevalence of aberrant expression of CD markers in cases with acute leukemia in Sohag University Hospitals. Patients and Methods:This study was carried out in the Clinical Pathology Department, faculty of medicine, Sohag university hospital on fifty (50) newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients who were subjected to bone marrow aspiration, their ages ranged between 1.5 to 71 years, 29 (58%) of them were males and 21 (42%) were females with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1, during the period from November 2015 to October 2016. Results: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia positive for the following CD markers CD10, CD19, TdT, HLA-DR and expressing CD33 and case of AML (M4-M5) expressing CD7 lymphoid marker. Conclusion: Aberrant expression of CD markers is seen in several cases of acute leukemia. The frequency of aberrant antigen expression in acute leukemia was comparable with most published international data. The presence of aberrancy helps to identify a neoplastic process.

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IntroductionBreath-holding spells (BHSs) are involuntary pauses of breathing, sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness. They usually occur in response to an upsetting or surprising situation. Breath-holding spells are usually caused by either a change in the usual breathing pattern or a slowing of the heart rate. In some children, BHSs may be related to iron deficiency anemia. The aim of the work was to study the clinical and laboratory profile of BPHs in children presented to the Neuropediatric Clinic at Sohag University Hospital.MethodsAn observational prospective study was done at Sohag University Hospital over a period of one year on children diagnosed as having BHSs by clinical history and laboratory evaluation, including complete blood count (CBC), serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity, and Electroencephalography (EEG).ResultsDuring the period of study (one year), we reviewed data of 32 children who had been diagnosed as having BHSs. We found that cyanotic spells (71.88%) predominated over pallid spells. There were positive family histories (31.25%) and consanguinity (53.135) in the studied patients. We found a high incidence of iron deficiency anemia (62.5%) in association with BHS. Abnormal EEGs were found in (65.63%) of studied children.ConclusionBHS is a common, important problem associated with iron deficiency anemia, which is, in turn, a common nutritional problem in our country.

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IntroductionCardiomyopathy (CMP) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a disease of the myocardium associated with cardiac dysfunction. An understanding of CMP is very important, as it is a common cause of heart failure in children, and the most common indication for heart transplantation in children older than one year, but data on CMP in Egypt are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the number, risk factors, clinical presentation, complications and outcome of different types of childhood cardiomyopathies in Sohag University Hospital.MethodsThis cross-sectional hospital based study enrolled fifty children with Cardiomyopathy in Pediatric Departments, Neonatal Care Units, and Cardiac Outpatient Clinics in Sohag University Hospital from March 01, 2014 to February 28, 2015.ResultsCases with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCMP) were 38 (76%), and those who had Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCMP) were 12 (24%). Dyspnea was the most common presenting complaint in 71% of cases. In cases with DCMP, the mean EF was 33.8, and FS was 17.11, while in cases with HCMP, the mean EF was 70.75, FS was 37. Fifty percent of cases were found to have moderate to severe PHT. Serum CK-MB was elevated in 3 (6%) cases, while serum Troponin I was elevated in 2 (4.2%) cases who diagnosed as having myocarditis. Viral myocarditis was the most common identified etiological agent responsible for 14 (37%) cases with DCMP.ConclusionsCMP represents a considerable percentage of children with cardiac disorders. DCMP is the most common type, usually presented with congestive heart failure, and the most common cause is myocarditis. L-Carnitine profile was normal in all cases, despite its routine use. Pediatricians need to raise their clinical suspicion to CMPs, as atypical presentations are not uncommon. To do screening for other family members, cardiac enzymes (CK-MB, Troponin I) have to be done in all newly diagnosed CMP cases, along with a revision of the routine prescription of L-Carnitine.