Correlation Between Vitamin E Levels and Cholesterol, Vitamin D, and Frequency of Pulmonary Exacerbations in Children With Cystic Fibrosis.

Introduction Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) have lipid maldigestion due to pancreatic insufficiency, which causes malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The primary objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin E deficiency among children with CF. The secondary objective was to examine the correlation between vitamin E levels with demographic data, laboratory findings, and the number of pulmonary exacerbations.

Severe acute respiratory infections: An epidemiological analysis of surveillance data in Bahrain, 2018-2022.

Background: Severe acute respiratory tract infections (SARI) pose a health threat to children and adults worldwide. The SARI surveillance program was initiated in 2018 in Bahrain to monitor the activity of respiratory pathogens. Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) was chosen as the sentinel site for the SARI surveillance program.

Pediatric and adult liver transplantation in Bahrain: The experiences in a country with no available liver transplant facilities.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage liver disease and has become the standard and most effective treatment method for these patients. There are many indications for LT that vary between countries and settings. The outcome of LT depends on the available facilities and surgical expertise, as well as the types of liver graft donors available.

Assessing indicators and clinical differences between functional and organic childhood constipation: a retrospective study in pediatric gastroenterology clinics.

Background: Chronic constipation is common among children worldwide. Constipation includes functional constipation (FC) and organic constipation (OC). The early recognition of the causes of childhood constipation and its subsequent complications is important.

Factors associated with poor outcomes in patients with severe acute respiratory infections in Bahrain.

Background: Severe acute respiratory tract infection (SARI) is a major global health threat. This study aimed to examine risk factors associated with poor outcomes in patients with SARI.

Methods: All patients who met World Health Organization's (WHO) SARI case definition and were admitted to Salmaniya Medical Complex from January 2018 to December 2021 were included.

Safety and efficacy of COVID-19 prime-boost vaccinations: Homologous BBIBP-CorV versus heterologous BNT162b2 boosters in BBIBP-CorV-primed individuals.

Background: Booster vaccine doses against SARS-CoV-2 have been advocated to address evidence of waning immunity, breakthrough infection, and the emergence of immune-evasive variants. A heterologous prime-boost vaccine strategy may offer advantages over a homologous approach, but the safety and efficacy of this approach with the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 (BNT: Pfizer) and inactivated BBIBP-CorV (BBIBT: Sinopharm) vaccines have not been studied.

Methods: We conducted a non-randomized, non-blinded phase II observational community trial acrossBahrain, investigating the reactogenic and immunogenic responseof participants who had previously received two doses of BBIBP, followed by a third booster dose of either BBIBP (homologous booster) or BNT (heterologous booster).

Demographic and Viral-Genetic Analyses of COVID-19 Severity in Bahrain Identify Local Risk Factors and a Protective Effect of Polymerase Mutations.

A multitude of demographic, health, and genetic factors are associated with the risk of developing severe COVID-19 following infection by the SARS-CoV-2. There is a need to perform studies across human societies and to investigate the full spectrum of genetic variation of the virus. Using data from 869 COVID-19 patients in Bahrain between March 2020 and March 2021, we analyzed paired viral sequencing and non-genetic host data to understand host and viral determinants of severe COVID-19.

Linear Growth Impairment in Patients With Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Introduction Linear growth impairment (LGI) is one of the complications of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to assess the linear growth of patients with pediatric IBD and to detect the frequency and the possible risk factors of LGI. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional review of medical records of patients with pediatric IBD was conducted in the pediatrics department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, from 1984 to 2019.

Prevalence of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Attending Primary Health Care Centers in Bahrain.

Objectives: To identify the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Bahrain and to assess the risk factors for the same.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study investigated a random sample of patients who were treated for T2DM during 2018 at non-communicable disease clinics in primary health centers in Bahrain. Cases of 382 patients who underwent abdominal ultrasonography were selected for the study.

Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Esophageal Dilatation in Pediatric Patients with Esophageal Strictures.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional single center study, records of patients with esophageal strictures presented to the pediatric department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, in the period between 1995 and 2019 were reviewed. Demographic data, indications of endoscopic dilatations, the procedure success rate, and possible complications were assessed.

Results: Forty-six children were found to have esophageal strictures.

Celiac disease in children: Increasing prevalence and changing clinical presentations.

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune enteropathy. It results from genetic predisposition and exposure to gluten-containing food. The prevalence and presentation of CD vary among populations.

Pediatric Crohn's Disease in Bahrain.

Objectives: Our study aimed to report the epidemiology, clinical presentations, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and outcomes of Crohn's disease (CD) in pediatric patients in Bahrain.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of patients with CD diagnosed in the pediatric department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, between 1984 and 2017. We used the data to calculate the annual incidence and cumulative prevalence.

Neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency among infants with neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia (NIH); compare G6PD-deficient and G6PD-normal patients regarding hyperbilirubinemia and need for exchange transfusions (ET); and assess risk factors for ET and kernicterus.

Methods: This is a case-control retrospective study. Medical records of NIH patients admitted to the Pediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, between January 2007 and June 2010 were reviewed.

Growth assessment and risk factors of malnutrition in children with cystic fibrosis.

Objectives: To evaluate the nutritional status, to screen for the presence of malnutrition, and to study the possible risk factors associated with malnutrition in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional review of medical records of all diagnosed CF patients in the Pediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, between January 1984 and May 2015 was conducted. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected from records of last visit to CF clinic.

Intestinal lymphangiectasia in children. A favorable response to dietary modifications.

Intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) is a rare disease characterized by dilatation of intestinal lymphatics. It can be classified as primary or secondary according to the underlying etiology. The clinical presentations of IL are pitting edema, chylous ascites, pleural effusion, acute appendicitis, diarrhea, lymphocytopenia, malabsorption, and intestinal obstruction.

Effect of pediatric liver transplantation on renal function.

The aim of this review is to define the incidence of renal dysfunction among pediatric liver transplant (LT) survivors, to identify the associated risk factors and to outline the therapeutic options. Renal dysfunction is a common problem after pediatric LT. The measured glomerular filtration rate is considered the "gold-standard" for assessment of renal function.

Neonatal hemochromatosis. Case series from Bahrain.

Objective: To review clinical presentations, diagnosis, response to treatment, and outcome of infants with neonatal hemochromatosis (NH).

Methods: This is a retrospective review of all cases admitted to the Pediatric Department at Salmaniya Medical Center, Manama, Bahrain between March 2008 and May 2011. The diagnosis was based on serum iron and ferritin, alpha-fetoprotein levels (AFP), liver and buccal biopsies, and abdominal MRI scan.