This study was conducted to evaluate the etiological and clinical characteristics of urolithiasis in Iraqi children. From 1999 to 2004, 204 children with renal calculi were evaluated. The age range of the patients was 4 months to 14 years, 61.3% of the patients were under 5 years. Male to female ratio was 2.8:1. The mean age at onset of symptoms was 3.2 years, and stone disease was diagnosed at a mean of 3.5 years. Hematuria (44.6%) and pain (28.4%) were the main clinical presentation. Of the 204 patients 45.1% had a family history of stones. Consanguinity was recorded in 72%; 75.5% had metabolic disorders. Stones were located at multiple sites in 80 patients, or 39.2%; 58 of these 80, or 72.5%, had metabolic disorders. Multiple stones were present in 47 (23%); 72.3% were related to metabolic disorders. In 126 patients, or 61.8%, both kidneys were involved equally. Bladder stones were found in 11.3%. Staghorn calculi occurred in 29 patients, or 14.2%; 27 of these had recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). Nephrocalcinosis was diagnosed in 7, or 3.4%; all had metabolic disorders. Etiology of stone formation was established in 189 patients, or 92.6%, whereas 15, or 7.4%, had idiopathic stones. Metabolic disorders were the commonest cause in 106 patients (52%); 52 patients were classified as infective (25.5%). Anatomical defects were present in 25 (12.2%) and 6 children (2.9%) with primary endemic bladder calculi. Coexisting UTI was common (36.8%) in the metabolic group. We concluded that urolithiasis is a serious problem among Iraqi children, with early onset of presentation. Metabolic disorders were the major causes, but can be masked by associated UTI. Proper management of UTI with a careful metabolic assessment of young stone formers is valuable in combating urolithiasis.

Renal disease in hospitalized children can be difficult to diagnose early as it may exhibit few symptoms, unlike in adults. This study reports the epidemiological data, percentages and types of renal disorders in children seen at the pediatric nephrology center of the AlKadhymia Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. A retrospective review of the charts of all patients, aged between one month and 14 years, who were admitted and followed-up for a period of three years from January 2009 till January 2012 were studied. The presence of renal disease based on their clinical records, laboratory tests and final diagnosis were noted. A total of 4785 children were admitted during the study period, of whom 326 renal disorders were observed in 281 children (5.8%). The affected children included 158 males (56.2%) and 123 females (43.7%). Majority of the cases were above two years of age (n = 181; 64.4%). Among them, urinary tract infection, seen in 60 patients (18.4%), was the most common renal disease, followed by nephrotic syndrome (n = 52; 15.9%), renal stone disease (n = 49; 15%), congenital malformations (n = 46; 14.1%), acute renal failure (n = 37; 11.3%), chronic renal failure (n = 22; 6.7%), glomerulonephritis (n = 16; 4.9%), isolated hematuria (n = 14; 4.2%), hypertension (n = 8; 2.4%), tubular disorders [renal tubular acidosis (n = 8; 2.4%), isolated hypercalciuria (n = 7; 2.1%), Bartter syndrome (n = 1; 0.3%)] and Wilm's tumor in six (1.8%) patients. The spectrum of renal disorders in Iraq is wide, and is similar to those reported from other developing countries with a predominance of infectious diseases.

Most patients with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) have frequent relapses (FR); this is considered one of the main problems because of its association with a high incidence of complications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the different factors that might be associated with the occurrence of relapse in SSNS. This is a retrospective study of 80 patients with SSNS conducted at the Pediatric Nephrology Clinic in the Al-Kadhymia Teaching Hospital between January 2011 and November 2011. The study patients were divided into two groups: FR and infrequent relapses (IFR). The age of the study patients was between one and 14 years; 45 patients had FR (56.3%) and 35 patients had IFR (43.7%). Males constituted 55 patients (68.7%) and 25 patients were female (31.3%). The incidence of FR was high in all age-groups, except in the 1-5 years age-group, and was higher in children living in urban areas. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, gender, place of residence and renal functions. However, there was a significant difference in the presence of hematuria, time taken to respond to therapy and duration of steroid therapy required; all were higher in the FR group. Our results will help clinicians in identifying possible FR such that they may be monitored closely.

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Background. The polymorphism R229Q is one of the most commonly reported podocin sequence variations among steroid-resistant nephrotic syndromes (SRNS). Aim of the Study. We investigated the frequency and risk of this polymorphism among a group of Iraqi children with SRNS and steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). Patients and Methods. A prospective case control study which was conducted in Al-Imamein Al-Kadhimein Medical City, spanning the period from the 1st of April 2015 to 30th of November 2015. Study sample consisted of 54 children having NS, divided into 2 groups: patients group consisted of 27 children with SRNS, and control group involved 27 children with SSNS. Both were screened by real time polymerase chain reaction for R229Q in exon 5 of NPHS2 gene. Results. Molecular study showed R229Q polymorphism in 96.3% of SRNS and 100% of SSNS. There were no phenotypic or histologic characteristics of patients bearing homozygous R229Q polymorphism and the patients with heterozygous R229Q polymorphism. Conclusion. Polymorphism R229Q of NPHS2 gene is prevalent in Iraqi children with SRNS and SSNS. Further study needs to be done, for other exons and polymorphism of NPHS2 gene in those patients.

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Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of children, causing a huge burden on family and society It"s prevalence has risen sharply over the past 30 years in many parts of the world with large geographical variations. However, in Iraq there is no national database which could be obtained. Due to the increasing number of cases and the burden of this health problem we investigated the sociodemographic and other risk factors related to asthma among primary school children. Modified ISAAC questionnaires were completed by the parents of 2262 children randomly chosen. We found males having higher rat of asthma Bing male be more at risk of developing asthma steadily increasing (27.4%), (28.3%)and (39.5%) with increased (CR) crowding rate (<3, 5 -5,and >5) respectively. only CR of >5 acts as a significant risk factor for asthma. Urbanization acts as significant risk for developing asthma EnvironmentBehaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. https://doi.org/10.21834/aje-bs.v2i4.212 Al -Kubaisy, W.,et.al., / Asian Journal of Environmen-Behaviour Studies, ajE-Bs, 2(4) Jul /Sep 2017 (p.75-84) This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-ncnd/4.0/). Peer-review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for 76 IntroductionChildhood asthma is a major clinical concern worldwide. It causes a huge burden on family and society. It accounts for a large number of lost school days and may deprive the child of both academic achievement and social interaction. Childhood asthma also places strain on healthcare resources as a result of doctor and hospital visits and cost of treatment (Von, 2000). The prevalence of childhood asthma is increasing worldwide, consequently morbidity and mortality and cost of care continue to increase (Partridge& Alwan, 1997;Ece et al, 2001 andRorstad &Bhatt, 2000.)It has been documented that the prevalence of pediatric asthma has risen sharply over the past 30 years in many parts of the world with large geographical variations (Wood, 2002;Yuan, Basso Sorensen & Oslen, 2002;Douwes &Pearce. 2002). The reasons for this dramatic increase are not yet clear and likely to include multiple contributing factors (Wood, 2002; Anonymous-1-, n.d). These variations are possible due to different exposure to respiratory infections, indoor and /or outdoor pollution, and diet (Von, 2000; Partridge&Alwan,1997). Genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors also may play a role in these variations (Ece. et al, 2001).The prevalence of asthma seems to be higher in affluent than non -affluent populations (Partridge& Alwan, 1997; AlDagwood, 2001).No one really knows why more and more children are developing asthma. Some experts suggest that children are being exposed to more and more allergens such as dust, air pollution, and passive smokers. These are factors that trigg...

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