Background: Owing to early discharge of neonates from the hospital, the readmission rate has been increased. Therefore, early detection of jaundice and prompt measures are important. Measurements of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels in cord blood have been used for this function. The aim of the work:To assess the cord blood alkaline phosphatase value in predicting neonatal jaundice. Patients and Methods:This study carried out during the period from August 2019 to January 2020 in pediatric department [Al-Azher University Hospital in Damietta]. This study included a total of 101 term infants with gestational age between 37 and 42 weeks, weighing more than 2500g born to healthy mothers. We performed an assessment of the complete medical history [maternal history and neonatal history]. Cord blood samples were collected for measurement of alkaline phosphatase. Neonates were followed-up for the emergence of jaundice. Infants with clinical jaundice were recalled and serum bilirubin level was measured. Significant indirect neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was considered. Results:The study showed that patients with neonatal jaundice had statistically significant higher reticulocyte count, alkaline phosphate level and total bilirubin than patients without neonatal jaundice. However, the study shows the best cut-off points of regarding ALP to predict neonatal jaundice in neonates. A value of 200 or more IU/L was the best cut-off point to predict occurrence with a sensitivity of 98.3%, a specificity of 97.6%. Conclusion:Increased alkaline phosphatase level in cord blood act as an indicator to neonatal jaundice, and may be used as a marker for early diagnosis.
Background: Vitamin D plays a critical role in the human body. Its deficiency had been proposed to play a role in lower respiratory tract infections [LRTIs], which responsible for 18% of deaths in young children. Aim of the work:The purpose of this study was to assess vitamin D concentrations in children with lower respiratory tract infections.Patients and Methods: After obtaining approval of the ethics committee, a prospective case control study was conducted in pediatric department, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University Hospital on children with lower respiratory tract infections and comparing 25-hydroxyvitamin D level between them and normal matched control from December 2018 to September 2019 include 140 children, Group A: 70 cases children had lower respiratory tract infections [LRTIs] either isolated pneumonia or associated with sepsis. Group B: matched with 70 healthy subjects.Results: There was significant reduction of vitamin D among study group children when compared to control group [13.68±5.50 s 40.64±4.76 ng/dl respectively]. There was no significant association between type of infection and vitamin D levels. However, all children with bronchitis had sufficient vitamin D levels. There were vitamin Ddeficiency in 64.3% while No one was deficient vitamin D among control group. Conclusion:Children with acute lower respiratory tract infection had significant reduction in vitamin D levels. The reduction had no significant association with the type of infection.
Background: Epilepsy is a common pediatric health problem that urges the parents to seek medical advice. However, it could be associated with prodromal manifestation [e.g., headache] that usually pass unnoticed by the parents. Previous literature is defective regarding prevalence of headache among children with epilepsy. Aim of the work: Estimation of the prevalence and characteristics of headache associated with epilepsy in pediatric populations. Patients and methods: We included 130 children with epilepsy [study group], and 130 healthy children as a control group. All were selected from Al-Azhar University Hospitals [new Damietta] An inquiry about headache and its characteristics especially in relation to seizures attacks had been performed. Results: Children with epilepsy had a higher rate of headache when compared to healthy children [48.5% versus 22.3%]; migraine is the commonest type in epileptic group and tension type headache in the control group. In children with epilepsy, headache was associated with higher rate of generalized epileptiform activity, increased frequency of seizures and use of monotherapy. Conclusion: Headache is highly prevalent among children with epilepsy and necessitates proper screening, further investigations and proper treatment. Future studies to investigate the problem on a wide scale are warranted.
Background: Anemia is described as a decreased erythrocyte count and or hemoglobin value below the 5 th percentile of the usual hemoglobin value specified for that age in healthy individuals. Aim of the Work:To assess the iron status and evaluate the iron deficiency and their association with the development of motor activity and anthropometric measurement in one-year-old infants. Patients and Methods:This randomized cross-sectional study is performed on 200 infants aged one year in primary care unit at vaccination set in Damietta governorate. 45% Of them were females and 55% were males all of them underwent laboratory tests (complete blood count (CBC), serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), serum iron), growth and developmental assessment.Result: 34% of infants were with normal hemoglobin ,serum iron and ferritin ,infants who have deficiency of iron were 25%, infants who have anemia without iron deficiency were 15% and. Infants who have iron deficiency anemia26%, of them 26.9% were underweight, 23.1% were stunted and 26.9% were delayed development, but growth and development unaffected in other cases. Conclusion:The percentage of iron deficiency anemia and iron deficiency is high in infants at one year, so we must start iron therapy at the first year to avoid the effects of iron deficiency on growth and development.
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