Rigid Spine Syndrome among Children in Oman.

Objectives: Rigidity of the spine is common in adults but is rarely observed in children. The aim of this study was to report on rigid spine syndrome (RSS) among children in Oman.

Methods: Data on children diagnosed with RSS were collected consecutively at presentation between 1996 and 2014 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman.

Successful management of a neglected case of nephropathic cystinosis.

Cystinosis is a rare metabolic disorder characterised by lysosomal cystine accumulation leading to multi-organ damage; clinically, the kidneys are the first organ affected. Respiratory insufficiency caused by overall respiratory muscle myopathy is a life-threatening complication. Treatment with cysteamine should be initiated rapidly and continued lifelong to prolong renal function and protect the extra-renal organs.

Rigid spinal muscular dystrophy and rigid spine syndrome: report of 7 children.

Seven children (5 male, 2 female) were seen over the last 16 years with rigid spine syndrome. Six children had rigid spinal muscular dystrophy (selenoprotein N1-related myopathy [SEPN1RM]) and 1 had myopathy associated with rigid spine. The main presenting complaint in all was difficulty in bending the spine.

Risk factors for extreme events in infants hospitalized for apparent life-threatening events.

Objective: To determine whether known risk factors for cardiorespiratory illnesses will help identify infants who could experience extreme events during an admission for an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) or later at home.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of all patients admitted for ALTE between 1996 and 2006. Extreme events included central apnea >30 seconds, bradycardia >10 seconds, and desaturation >10 seconds at hemoglobin-oxygen saturation value with pulse oximetry <80%.

Regional Variation in the Prevalence of Asthma Symptoms among Omani School Children: Comparisons from Two Nationwide Cross-sectional Surveys Six Years Apart.

Objectives: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) highlighted the presence of wide variations in asthma prevalence between and within countries. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in the prevalence of asthma and its symptoms across the different regions of Oman.

Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted as part of ISAAC phases I (1995) and III (2001) in two age groups (6-7 and 13-14 years) from nation-wide samples of Omani school children, with 7,067 participants in 1995 (3,893 young and 3,174 older group) and 7,879 participants in 2001 (4,126 young and 3,753 older group).