AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess neurological sequelae within 30 days of surgical or cardiac catheter interventions in infants and children. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated all patients who developed neurological problems after cardiac interventions either by surgery or by catheter by clinical evaluation, brain imaging, and electrophysiological studies. RESULTS: Among 1200 procedures were performed; 895 (74.6%) were cardiac catheterizations either diagnostic or intervention, 167 (13.9%) were open-heart surgery, and 138 (11.5%) were closed heart surgery. The overall incidence of post-procedure neurological dysfunction in the studied population was 3.4%. The differences between the three groups were statistically significant (p < 0.0001(. In our series, the neurological complications were in the form of disturbed conscious level in 2/41 (4.9%), impaired motor function in 11/41 (26.8%), impaired mental functions in 6/41(14.6%), hyperreflexia in 27/41 (65.9%), and seizures in 38/41 (92.7%). The most common presentation of seizures was in the form of focal fits 21/41 (51.2%), followed by generalized fits in 15/41(36.6%) and then myoclonic fits 2/41 (4.9%). CONCLUSION: Seizures are the most common complication following cardiac interventions in pediatric age and the highest percentage following open heart surgery.

Background: Impaired activity of respiratory muscles and poor lung mechanisms predispose to sleep disordered breathing in neuromuscular disorders. Although it may lead to major morbidity, its relation to respiratory function is poorly defined. Objectives:To evaluate respiratory muscle function and sleep disorders in children with myopathy and their relationship to daytime and nocturnal symptoms and oxygen saturation. Method:A cross-sectional study was carried out on 30 children, 20 males and 10 females, diagnosed with myopathy at Abou El Reesh Paediatric Hospital, Cairo University. Arterial blood gases, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were measured. All subjects underwent respiratory function tests using spirometry, overnight polysomnography and diaphragmatic ultrasound. Results:Patients were assigned into 2 groups based on respiratory function tests assessed by spirometry. Group A included 14 patients with normal respiratory function tests and Group B included 16 patients with abnormal respiratory function tests. A significant difference was noted as regards symptoms suggestive of poor sleep quality, including somnolence, waking unrested and frequent awakening (p=0.005). Apnoea hypopnoea index (AHI) was significantly higher in group B patients (p=0.04). AHI was abnormal in 43% of patients in group A and 69% of patients in group B. Obstructive apnoeic and hypopnoeic events were detected in all patients with abnormal AHI. No significant difference was noted regarding sleep staging, sleep efficiency or total sleep test (TST).

Muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous inherited group of disorders characterized by a variable distribution of weakness, various ages of onset, the pattern of inheritance, rate of progression, and clinical severity. Muscle degeneration and regeneration characterize muscle biopsy and these disorders are typically associated with elevated serum creatine kinase. Objective: We wanted to study the clinical characteristics of patients with muscle dystrophies and study clinical and genetic correlation in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included a cohort of 60 patients diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and fulfilling the inclusion criteria. All patients were subjected to full history taking and full neurological examination. Results: Patients are divided into five groups to study clinical characteristics in each group. 1. Duchenne muscular dystrophy group: included 30 patients who have genetically confirmed DMD cases (50 %), 2. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy group: included 23 patients (38.3 %), 3. Myotonic dystrophy group: included 3 patients (5 %), 4. Congenital muscular dystrophy group: included 3 patients who were diagnosed clinically as merosin deficient congenital muscle dystrophy (5 %), 5. Distal dystrophy group: included 1 patient with distal muscle dystrophy (1.7 %). Mean age, gender, age of symptoms onset, main motor symptoms, CPK level, echocardiography.

Muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous inherited group of disorders characterized by a variable distribution of weakness, various ages of onset, the pattern of inheritance, rate of progression, and clinical severity. Muscle degeneration and regeneration characterize muscle biopsy and these disorders are typically associated with elevated serum creatine kinase. Objective: We wanted to study the clinical characteristics of patients with muscle dystrophies and study clinical and genetic correlation in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included a cohort of 60 patients diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and fulfilling the inclusion criteria. All patients were subjected to full history taking and full neurological examination. Results: Patients are divided into five groups to study clinical characteristics in each group. 1. Duchenne muscular dystrophy group: included 30 patients who have genetically confirmed DMD cases (50 %), 2. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy group: included 23 patients (38.3 %), 3. Myotonic dystrophy group: included 3 patients (5 %), 4. Congenital muscular dystrophy group: included 3 patients who were diagnosed clinically as merosin deficient congenital muscle dystrophy (5 %), 5. Distal dystrophy group: included 1 patient with distal muscle dystrophy (1.7 %). Mean age, gender, age of symptoms onset, main motor symptoms, CPK level, echocardiography.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the relationship between serum melatonin levels and other markers of oxidant/antioxidant balance in epileptic children before and after treatment with the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA). The study was conducted on twenty epileptic children prior to starting therapy, as well as on another twenty age and sex matched epileptic children receiving treatment with the antiepileptic drug VPA, for a minimum duration of one year. Fifteen age and sex matched healthy children were included as a control group. Serum melatonin, zinc, copper, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured in all subjects. Mean levels of melatonin and MDA were significantly increased while SOD activity was significantly decreased in both untreated and treated epileptics versus control. However, the melatonin and SOD were significantly lower in treated versus untreated epileptics. The serum zinc levels were significantly lower while the serum copper levels were significantly higher in treated versus untreated epileptics. Melatonin was negatively correlated to MDA and copper and positively correlated to SOD. It thus seems possible that oxidant stress is associated with epilepsy and is aggravated with VPA therapy leading to relative reduction in melatonin (in treated versus untreated epileptics) and absolute reduction in erythrocytic SOD and serum zinc concentrations.