Leptomeningeal dissemination of pilocytic astrocytoma in a 17-year-old boy.

Pilocytic astrocytoma with leptomeningeal dissemination is a rare phenomenon and can be associated with obstructive hydrocephalus and an unfavorable prognosis. Herein, we report a seventeen-year-old boy with a history of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt insertion due to severe hydrocephalus who presented with progressive headache and vomiting together with ocular and cerebellar signs and symptoms. Neuroimaging confirmed the presence of multiple intracranial masses in the cerebellum and thalamus.

Prognostic value of arterial blood gas disturbances for in-hospital mortality in pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of arterial blood gas as a secondary insult in children and young adults suffering from severe traumatic brain injury, and to assess the correlation, if any, with their in-hospital mortality.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, the medical data of all children and adolescents with severe head trauma admitted to the Rasht Poursina Hospital were reviewed between April 2006 and September 2011. Data including age, gender, GCS upon admission, arrival and daily ABG values for the first 3 days, results of brain CT scan, as well as in-hospital mortality rate were collected.

Association of persistent hyperglycemia with outcome of severe traumatic brain injury in pediatric population.

Purpose: Hyperglycemia is a common secondary insult associated with an increased risk of mortality and poor outcome in traumatic brain injury (TBI), but the effect of hyperglycemia on outcomes of severe TBI in children and adolescents is less apparent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of hyperglycemia with mortality in pediatric patients with severe TBI.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data of all children and adolescents with severe TBI admitted to Poursina Hospital in Rasht, including age, gender, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) upon admission, mortality rate, hospital length of stay, and serial blood glucose during the first three consecutive ICU days following admission, were reviewed from April 2007 to May 2011.

A randomized trial of propranolol versus sodium valproate for the prophylaxis of migraine in pediatric patients.

Background: Migraine is the most common of the paroxysmal disorders to affect the brain in the pediatric population. Both propranolol and sodium valproate (valproic acid) have been advocated as prophylactic agents for childhood migraine.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of propranolol and sodium valproate in the prevention of migraine in the pediatric population.

Association between iron deficiency anemia and first febrile convulsion: A case-control study.

Objective: The relationship between iron deficiency anemia and febrile convulsions has been examined in several studies with conflicting results. The authors aimed to evaluate the relation, if any, of iron status with first febrile convulsion.

Methods: In this case-control study, the authors assessed 200 children with a diagnosis of first febrile convulsion, aged between 6 months and 5 years, during March 2005 to September 2006.