This report outlines the case of a 3-year-old boy whose initial presentation was that of asymptomatic hypertension (lowest recording 148/90), found at preoperative check prior to stage 2-correction surgery for distal hypospadias. Upon diagnosis of true hypertension, an ultrasound of the child's renal tract showed evidence of marked hydronephrosis and calyceal dilatation. On the background of deteriorating renal function (Urea 25.5 and Creatinine 188), a Micturating Cystourethrogram was performed, demonstrating posterior urethral dilatation. With difficulties controlling blood pressure, the child was transferred to Urology care, where resection of a posterior urethral valve (PUV) was undertaken. Despite this, renal function deteriorated further and re-cystoscopy identified an anterior urethral valve (AUV), which was also resected. Renal function, although improved, remains poor and blood pressure is controlled with two anti-hypertensives. To the publisher's knowledge, the association between hypospadias, PUVs and AUVs is as yet undocumented.
Ninety-nine Saudi Arabian children aged between 3 months and 15 years attending the sickle cell anaemia (SCA) clinic were studied using a review of case notes and an interview at clinic visits. All the patients come from the southwest and west area of Saudi Arabia. Despite the lack of infant screening for SCA, 73 per cent were diagnosed before the age of 3 years, reflecting severe early symptoms of the disease. The serious complications of SCA were two times higher, the number of admissions were three times higher and the attack rate for pneumococcal meningitis was nine times higher in our study population than previously reported from the Eastern Province of the country. Hand-foot syndrome was the commonest complication affecting 58 per cent of the children. It has been stated previously that there is no need to give penicillin prophylaxis to SCA children in Saudi Arabia, based on the observations in the Eastern Province only. Our study shows that SCA in western and southwestern population of Saudi Arabia is as severe as is described in American blacks. Therefore, we recommend penicillin prophylaxis to be given to the SCA children in the southwest and west regions of the country.
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