National study of child sexual abuse cases in Oman: Characteristics and medical-legal outcomes.

Background: To stay abreast of the best international practices, the Arab Gulf countries have ratified the United Nations which includes clauses on safeguarding the well-being of children against child abuse and neglect. The enactment of laws, policies, and facilities designed to protect the rights of the child has not yet been studied to determine whether it leads to appropriate legal dispositions against perpetrators of child sexual abuse (CSA) in Oman.

Aims: This study has been launched to address two interrelated objectives; (i) describe the characteristics of CSA victims and perpetrators and (ii) examine factors associated with medicolegal findings and judicial results for CSA complainants in Oman.

Multi-center study on mortality in children, and adults with sickle cell anemia-risk factors and causes of death.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major public health burden worldwide with increasing morbidity and mortality. The study evaluates the risk factors associated with mortality in SCD patients, between the years 2006 and 2020 at three hospitals in Oman. The analysis includes clinical manifestations, haematological, biochemical, and radiological parameters, use of antibiotics, and blood and exchange transfusions.

Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis manifesting as acute appendicitis: a case report.

Background: Postpartum ovarian thrombosis is an uncommon condition. It appears with the nonspecific, predominantly right-sided abdominal symptoms and must be differentiated from other acute visceral conditions. If left untreated, postpartum ovarian thrombosis can have severe consequences, including sepsis, pulmonary embolism, and even death.

Impact of COVID-19 on vasooclusive crisis in patients with sickle cell anaemia.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess COVID-19 impact on the morbidity and mortality of vasooclusive crisis (VOC) in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of 100 SCA patients; 50 with COVID-19 (COVID group) and 50 without (non-COVID group). All patients signed written informed consent.

Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among people living with HIV attending tertiary care hospitals in Oman.

Introduction: depressive symptoms have been widely reported among people living with HIV (PLHIV) around the world. The extent of this on PLHIV in the Arabian Peninsula is unclear. This study aims to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in adult Omani patients with HIV attending a tertiary care hospital.

A double dilemma: treatment of stage IV fetal twin-twin transfusion syndrome in the setting of maternal recurrent venous thromoembolism: a case report.

Background: Fetal conditions can pose significant challenges in the management of pregnancies complicated by pre-existing maternal medical conditions.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a 34-year-old woman with Stage IV Twin Twin Transfusion syndrome in the presence of maternal recurrent complex venous thromboembolic disease. Following a previous pregnancy loss, complicated by a third episode of thromboembolic disease, an inferior vena cava filter was placed.

The Use of HPLC as a Tool for Neonatal Cord Blood Screening of haemoglobinopathy: A Validation Study.

Background: Newborn cord blood screening identifies infants with underlying haemoglobinopathies before they develop the characteristic symptoms or sequelae.

Aims: This study was performed to validate the interpretation high-performance chromatography (HPLC) along with complete blood count (CBC) results as a tool for universal neonatal screening of hemoglobin disorders in Oman.

Methods: HPLC and CBC data on subjects who participated in the National Neonatal screening program at birth were obtained from archival records.

Physical Examinations of Psychiatric Patients who Presented at the Emergency Department of a Tertiary-Care Hospital in Oman.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the completeness of physical assessment of patients presenting with psychiatric problems to the Emergency Department (ED).

Methods: This was to observational study based on a retrospective review of the medical records of patients who attended the ED of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and referred to the on-duty psychiatrist for assessment over a 12 months period. All patients aged 16 years and above, who presented to the ED with a psychiatric complaint were included in the study.

Subepidermal calcified nodule in upper eyelid: A case report and review of the literature.

Calcinosis cutis involves the inappropriate deposition of calcium within the dermis layer of the skin and is often associated with autoimmune diseases. A 3-year-old healthy Omani child presented for evaluation of asymptomatic hard nodule on the left upper eyelid. Pathological examination identified the mass as subepidermal calcified nodule.

Transfusion therapy and alloimmunization in Thalassemia Intermedia: a 10 year experience at a tertiary care university hospital.

Background: Thalassemia Intermedia (TI) has a wide clinical profile with many patients requiring only occasional transfusions. To prevent alloimmunization, we adopted a policy of issuing phenotype matched red blood cells in 2009. We examined transfusion indications and alloimmunization rate in TI patients.

Largest Serous Cystadenoma in the first Trimester treated Laparoscopically: A Case Report.

We report the first case of a giant serous cystadenoma approximately 7.5kg in weight in a 28-year old primigravida at 8 weeks of gestation which was successfully excised laparoscopically. Postoperatively, she had a quick recovery and she was discharged on post op day 3 with an intact pregnancy and no complications.

Neonatal Screening: Mean haemoglobin and red cell indices in cord blood from Omani neonates.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate the interpretation of red blood cell indices in complete blood count (CBC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results on cord blood samples in consecutive Omani neonates.

Methods: Cord blood samples from 7,837 neonates, were analysed with CBC and HPLC using the β-thalassaemia short programme. Direct sequencing of abnormal samples with HbS, HbD, HbE and HbC was performed to validate the HPLC results.

Forecasting hemoglobinopathy burden through neonatal screening in Omani neonates.

To evaluate the incidence of hemoglobinopathies in Omani subjects and to forecast its future burden on health resources, we initiated a prospective neonatal screening program in two major cities of the Sultanate of Oman. Consecutive cord blood samples from a total of 7,837 neonates were analyzed for complete blood counts and for hemoglobin (Hb) profile by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). No case with Hb H (beta4) was detected.

NAT2 polymorphism in Omani gastric cancer patients-risk predisposition and clinicopathological associations.

Aim: To study whether N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genotypes and phenotypes are associated with increased risk factor for gastric cancer in Omani patients and to study the clinico-pathological correlations and the prognostic significance of NAT2.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 100 gastric cancer patients and 100 control subjects. NAT2 genotyping was performed using DNA sequencing.

Interleukin-1beta gene (IL-1B) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist gene (IL-1RN) polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk in an Omani Arab population.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the most common malignancy in Oman. Interleukin-1beta gene (IL-1B) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene (IL-1RN) polymorphisms have been associated with increased GC risk. No previous studies have examined their role in an Arab population.

The prognostic determinants of gastric cancer treatment outcome in Omani Arab patients.

Background: Gastric cancer is the most common cancer in Oman and a leading cause of cancer death. The variation in survival rates between countries and ethnic groups has been attributed to early detection policies, differences in clinicopathological features, treatment approaches, and biological characteristics. There were no previous reports on gastric cancer from Oman and very few studies on Asian Arabs.

The outcome of treatment of breast cancer in a developing country--Oman.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of treatment of breast cancer in Oman with an analysis of clinico-pathological features, treatment modalities utilized, and prognostic factors. One hundred fifty-two breast cancer patients diagnosed between January 1996 and June 2002 were evaluated retrospectively. Their mean age was 48.