There is significant potential for improvement in CT practice and protocol use for children in less resourced countries. Dose estimates for young children varied widely. This survey provides critical baseline data for ongoing quality improvement efforts by the IAEA.

With increasing use of CT in children and a lack of use of appropriateness criteria, there is a strong need to implement guidelines to avoid unnecessary radiation doses to children.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of liver fibrosis and assess the risk factors for developing significant liver fibrosis in patients with Thalassemia Major (TM). Methods: All patients with TM over the age of 10 years were included in the study. Results: A total of 94 eligible patients underwent 2-D SWE. The median age was 26.7 years. The median of the average 5-year serum ferritin (5yrSF) and liver iron concentration (LIC) assessed by MRI T2* were 1326 µg/L and 6.7 mg/g dw, respectively. Hepatitis C and hepatitis B core antibodies were positive in 38% and 1% of the patients respectively. The proportion of patients with significant fibrosis was 60%. Male gender increased the risk of significant fibrosis (Odds ratio of 0.4; p = .0373). Additionally, the 5yrSF (p = .00661), the LIC (p = .0225) and the lowest LIC of the previous 5 years (p = .0211) were significant. In the multivariable logistic regression model, only 5yrSF (p = .0035) and gender (p = .00984) remained significant. Conclusions: The risk of liver fibrosis is associated with iron overload and gender in patients with TM.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. Mutations have been found in at least 3 genes: the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (APOB), and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). We report the first case of FH in an Omani family due to a novel mutation in the LDLR gene. A 9-year-old female was referred to our lipid clinic with eye xanthelasmata and thickening of both Achilles tendons. Evaluation of the lipid profile showed the off treatment total cholesterol of 896 mg/dL (23.2 mmol/L), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of 853 mg/dL (22.1 mmol/L), APOB of 4.5 g/L, triglyceride of 71 mg/dL (0.8 mmol/L), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 0.74 mmol/L. Genetic analysis of the LDLR gene showed a homozygous frameshift deletion mutation (272delG) at exon 3. The female patient was treated with a combination of rosuvastatin/ezetimibe and LDL apheresis.

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