Publications by authors named "Abdullah Ashwal"

Article Synopsis
  • The study examined lipid profiles in young patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) at a hospital in Riyadh.
  • After pharmacological treatment, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels significantly decreased, though some patients showed an increase.
  • Post-liver transplantation, cholesterol levels dropped drastically, indicating it may be a more effective long-term treatment, despite potential risks and complications.
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Article Synopsis
  • - Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a rare but severe form of hypertriglyceridemia, with over 100 cases identified at a specific center aimed at supporting clinicians and enhancing knowledge in disease management.
  • - A study of 29 pediatric patients revealed common symptoms such as milky blood samples, family history of hypertriglyceridemia, and acute pancreatitis, with gemfibrozil and fenofibrate proving effective in lowering triglyceride levels.
  • - The findings suggest anti-triglyceride medications, particularly fibrates, are safe and effective in managing FCS in kids, with gemfibrozil showing superior results compared to fenofibrate and both drugs causing minimal side effects
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Introduction: Hereditary Vitamin D-dependent rickets type II (HVDDR-type II) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by molecular variation in the gene encoding the vitamin D receptor (VDR). This study aims to evaluate phenotype and genotype characteristics and long-term follow-up of the largest group of patients with (HVDDR-type II) in Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: We conducted a retrospective chart review to collect the clinical, biochemical, and genetic data for all HVDDR-type II patients currently receiving treatment at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Background: Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is a hypercalcemic syndrome that is usually characterized by uncomplicated hypercalcemia and normal longevity. The inheritance pattern is autosomal dominant with high penetrance, and it affects both men and women equally. FHH is caused by mutations that disturb the normal functioning of the calcium-sensing receptor () gene.

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Rickets is a childhood disorder of vitamin D deficiency that is characterized by growth retardation and impairment in skeletal mineralization. Vitamin D deficiency is usually due to decreased dietary vitamin D intake, decreased sunlight exposure, or genetic defects. A recurrent gain-of-function missense mutation (p.

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Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is a severe form of FH in which inheritance of two defective or null mutations in genes associated with metabolism of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) results in extremely high LDL-C, premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and mortality. Treatment of HoFH comprises a multi-modal approach of statins, ezetimibe, lipoprotein apheresis; and inhibitors of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type, angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein. These treatments are generally costly, and patients also often require treatment for ASCVD consequent to HoFH.

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Background: Neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT) is a rare disease that can be lethal. Most patients require parathyroidectomy.

Objective: Report experience in managing this severe disease.

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Article Synopsis
  • The paper discusses a serious condition called hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in infants but highlights another overlooked cause of severe hypoglycemia.* -
  • A case study of an 18-month-old Saudi girl initially thought to have persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia revealed alarming signs pointing to caregiver-fabricated illness.* -
  • It emphasizes the importance of physicians being vigilant in recognizing caregiver-fabricated illnesses to prevent potentially dangerous outcomes.*
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We report the incidence, patient characteristic with clinical outcomes in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) in Saudi Arabia. This is a retrospective and prospective, single center study which included 37 patients 14 years and older enrolled and followed up between 2018-2021 for three years. 46% were females, 78% were offspring of consanguineous marriage.

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Background/aims: Laron syndrome (LS) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by marked short stature and very low serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels. This study assessed the clinical and endocrine features alongside determining the growth hormone receptor gene (GHR) mutation in Saudi Arabian patients with LS in order to establish whether or not a genotype/phenotype correlation is evident in this large cohort.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 40 Saudi Arabian patients with a suspected diagnosis of LS were recruited and subjected to a full clinical and endocrine investigation together with direct sequencing of the coding regions of the GHR gene.

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We present clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) in the Middle East region. While guidelines are broadly applicable in Europe, in the Middle East we experience a range of confounding factors that complicate disease management to a point whereby the European guidance cannot be applied without significant modification. Specifically, for disease prevalence, the Middle East region has an established epidemic of diabetes and metabolic syndrome that can complicate treatment and mask a clinical diagnosis of HoFH.

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Introduction: Neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT) is a rare disease that presents early with severe hypercalcemia. We reviewed our experience with NSHPT management at a tertiary-care institution.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients managed for NSHPT over the last 10 years.

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Objective: To describe the clinical, surgical, biochemical, radiological and electrophysiological features of 43 Saudi children with persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia of infancy (PHHI) who have been followed since 1983.

Methods: Data from 43 patients were retrospectively analysed. PHHI was diagnosed on the basis of high intravenous glucose requirement, high insulin to glucose ratio, negative urinary ketones and normal tandem mass spectrometry.

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Objective: To assess the efficacy and effectiveness of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in type 1 diabetic Saudi children in comparison with conventional insulin (CI) therapy.

Methods: Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion was initiated in 14 Saudi children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) through insulin pump therapy between October 2002 and June 2004. All children were followed at the Diabetes Clinic, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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Background: A newborn with ambiguous genitalia needs prompt evaluation to detect life-threatening conditions (e.g., salt-losing crisis in congenital adrenal hyperplasia [CAH]) and gender assignment.

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Objective: To describe the clinical, ophthalmological, endocrinological and radiological features of 10 Saudi children with the syndrome of septo-optic dysplasia and hypothalamic hypopituitarism.

Methods: All patients underwent complete ophthalmological and endocrinological evaluation at the Pediatric Endocrine Clinics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from October 1999 through to May 2004. The hormonal evaluation included growth hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, gonadotropin and anti diuretic hormone testing, and the neuroradiological assessment included brain magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomogram scanning, or both.

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Hereditary vitamin D-resistant rickets (HVDRR) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the vitamin D receptor (VDR). We studied a young Saudi Arabian girl who exhibited the typical clinical features of HVDRR, but without alopecia. Analysis of her VDR gene revealed a homozygous T to C mutation in exon 7 that changed isoleucine to threonine at amino acid 268 (I268T).

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