The outcome of rituximab in treating steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome.: Histopathology and immunosuppressive drugs as predicting factors.

Objectives: To present our experience of treating steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) in children with repeated doses of rituximab (RTX) with a relatively long follow-up, and to discuss the role of the histopathology type and previous immune-suppressor (IS) drugs on the outcome of these patients.

Methods: The patients included in this prospective study were children with SDNS who were in remission on a high-dose steroid or with additional IS drugs. All patients underwent renal biopsy before RTX treatment.

AGREEing on clinical practice guidelines for idiopathic steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome in children.

Background: Nephrotic syndrome is the most common kidney disease in children worldwide. Our aim was to critically appraise the quality of recent Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for idiopathic steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) in children in addition to summarize and compare their recommendations.

Methods: Systematic review of CPGs.

Blood pressure standards for pre-school children in Saudi Arabia.

The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in children is increasing. Early detection of HTN in childhood may prevent the occurrence of complications in adult age. Blood pressure (BP) varies between populations according to ethnic and environmental factors.

Z-score growth reference data for Saudi preschool children.

Background: Assessment of growth using Z-score methods is important for clinical care and research, yet growth reference Z-score data for preschool Saudi children are not available.

Objective: Establish Z-score tables and corresponding growth charts.

Design: Uses data from a national survey in 2004-2005.

The LMS and Z scale growth reference for Saudi school-age children and adolescents.

Background/aim: To establish L, M, and S parameters and z score reference for the assessment of nutrition and growth of Saudi school-age children and adolescents.

Subjects And Methods: Data from the original cross-sectional study were reanalyzed. The L, M, and S parameters and z scores were calculated for weight, height and body mass index for school-age children and adolescents.

Growth reference for Saudi school-age children and adolescents: LMS parameters and percentiles.

Background: Information on LMS parameters and percentiles reference for Saudi children and adolescents is not available.

Objective: To report the L, M, and S parameters and percentile reference graphs for growth.

Design: Field survey of a population-based sample of Saudi school-age children and adolescents (5-18 years of age).

Growth reference for Saudi preschool children: LMS parameters and percentiles.

Background: Previous growth charts for Saudi children have not included detailed tables and parameters needed for research and incorporation in electronic records.

Objectives: The objective of this report is to publish the L, M, and S parameters and percentiles as well as the corresponding growth charts for Saudi preschool children.

Design: Community-based survey and measurement of growth parameters in a sample selected by a multistage probability procedure.

Prevalence of selected congenital anomalies in Saudi children: a community-based study.

Background And Objectives: Limited data are available on the prevalence of congenital anomalies based on a community survey in Middle East countries. The prevalence of congenital anomalies is expected to be high in these countries because of the high consanguinity rate and high maternal age. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to establish the prevalence of congenital anomalies in Saudi Arab children.

Long-term outcome of the difficult nephrotic syndrome in children.

To determine the long-term outcome of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in children, we studied 48 patients with the NS aged seven months to 12 years at onset and followed for a long period (3-9 years). Consanguinity was positive in 31.2%.

Regional prevalence of short stature in Saudi school-age children and adolescents.

Objective: To assess the magnitude of regional difference in prevalence of short stature in Saudi children and adolescents.

Subjects And Methods: A representative sample from three different regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) (North, Southwest, and Center) was used to calculate the prevalence of short stature (standard deviation score less than -2) in children 5 to 17 years of age.

Results: There were 9018 children and adolescents from 5 to 17 years of age (3366, 2825, and 2827 in the Northern, Southwestern and Central regions, resp.

Regional variation in prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi children and adolescents.

Background/aims: There are limited data on regional variation of overweight and obesity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the aim of this report is to explore the magnitude of these variation in order to focus preventive programs to regional needs.

Setting And Design: Community-based multistage random sample of representative cohort from each region.

Prevalence of short stature in Saudi children and adolescents.

Background And Objective: Data on stature in Saudi children and adolescents are limited. The objective of this report was to establish the national prevalence of short stature in Saudi children and adolescents.

Design And Setting: Community-based, cross-sectional study conducted over 2 years (2004, 2005)

Patients And Methods: The national data set of the Saudi reference was used to calculate the stature for age for children and adolescents 5 to 18 years of age.

The prevalence of neurological disorders in Saudi children: a community-based study.

There are limited data on the pattern and prevalence of pediatric chronic neurologic conditions in the region. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of these disorders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A multistage probability sampling design was used to select a random sample of Saudi households representative of the Saudi population.

Prevalence of malnutrition in Saudi children: a community-based study.

Background And Objective: There is no published information on the prevalence of malnutrition in Saudi Arabia. The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence data.

Methods: The prevalence of nutritional indicators in the form of underweight, stunting, and wasting in a national sample of children younger than 5 years of age was calculated using the new WHO standards as reference.

Regional disparity in prevalence of malnutrition in Saudi children.

Objective: To evaluate the regional difference in the prevalence of malnutrition in Saudi children.

Methods: Data for this study were collected over 2 years (2004 and 2005). A cross-sectional representative sample of the Saudi population of healthy children below 5 years of age was used to calculate the prevalence of malnutrition.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi children and adolescents.

Background And Objective: There is limited information on overweight and obesity in Saudi children and adolescents. The objective of this study was to establish the national prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi children and adolescents.

Methods: The 2005 Saudi reference data set was used to calculate the body mass index (BMI) for children aged 5 to 18 years.

Effects of education of the head of the household on the prevalence of malnutrition in children.

Objective: To explore the effect of the educational level of the head of household on the prevalence of malnutrition in Saudi children.

Methods: The study was conducted over 2 years in 2004 and 2005 in all regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The design consisted of a stratified multistage probability random sampling of the population of the KSA.

Pattern of sex differences in growth of Saudi children and adolescents.

Background: Although variations in growth between boys and girls have been reported, detailed descriptions according to age and growth parameters are not available.

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the pattern and magnitude of differences in growth between boys and girls according to age that justify separate growth charts.

Methods: The data set was based on a cross-sectional representative sample of the Saudi population of healthy children and adolescents from birth to 19 years of age.

Body mass index in Saudi Arabian children and adolescents: a national reference and comparison with international standards.

Background And Objectives: Because there are no reference standards for body mass index (BMI) in Saudi children, we established BMI reference percentiles for normal Saudi Arabian children and adolescents and compared them with international standards.

Subjects And Methods: Data from a stratified multistage probability sample were collected from the 13 health regions in Saudi Arabia, as part of a nationwide health profile survey of Saudi Arabian children and adolescents conducted to establish normal physical growth references. Selected households were visited by a trained team.

Age related reference ranges of heart rate for Saudi children and adolescents.

Objective: To evaluate the resting heart rate to define reference values for healthy Saudi children and adolescents.

Methods: To establish representative heart rate (HR) reference values for Saudi Arabian children and adolescents, a sample of children, and adolescents was selected by multi-stage probability sampling of the Saudi population from birth to 20 years of age. The selected sample represents Saudi children from the whole country.

Blood pressure standards for Saudi children and adolescents.

Background And Objectives: Blood pressure levels may vary in children because of genetic, ethnic and socioeconomic factors. To date, there have been no large national studies in Saudi Arabia on blood pressure in children.Therefore, we sought to establish representative blood pressure reference centiles for Saudi Arabian children and adolescents.

The prevalence of sickle cell disease in Saudi children and adolescents. A community-based survey.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and regional distribution of sickle cell disease in Saudi children.

Methods: A sample size of 45,682 children and adolescents from newborn to 19 years of age was selected by multistage random probability sampling of the Saudi households from each of the 13 regions of the country. The study is cross-sectional, community based, and conducted over 2 years from 2004 to 2005.

Prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabian children and adolescents.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus among 0-19 years old Saudi children and adolescents.

Methods: A nationwide Saudi Arabian project was conducted in the years 2001-2007 with the objective of establishing national growth charts, and defining the prevalence of some chronic childhood diseases such as diabetes mellitus. The 14,000 households were randomly selected based on a recent population statistic.

Comparison of the 2005 growth charts for Saudi children and adolescents to the 2000 CDC growth charts.

Background And Objectives: The 2000 CDC growth charts for the United States, a revision of the National Center for Health Statistics/World Health Organization (NCHS/WHO) growth charts, were released in 2002 to replace the NCHS/WHO charts. We evaluated the differences between the CDC growth charts and the Saudi 2005 reference to determine the implications of using the 2000 CDC growth charts in Saudi children and adolescents.

Subjects And Methods: The Saudi reference was based on a cross-sectional representative sample of the Saudi population of healthy children and adolescents from birth to 19 years of age.

Trends in the nutritional status of Saudi children.

Objective: To evaluate the trend in the nutritional status of Saudi children over a 10-year period.

Methods: The growth data collected between 1993--1994 were compared with those collected between 2004--2005 from all regions of the Kingdom. Both nutritional surveys had a similar design leading to representative samples of Saudi children determined by multistage probability sampling.