Circulating glial fibrillary acidic protein and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 as markers of neuronal damage in children with epileptic seizures.

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disease that has a negative impact on physical, social, and cognitive function. Seizure-induced neuronal injury is one of the suggested mechanisms of epilepsy complications. We aimed to evaluate the circulating level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) as markers of neuronal damage in children with epilepsy and its relation to epilepsy characteristics.

Association of folic acid, vitamin B12, and intelligence scores in epileptic children.

Epilepsy is a serious childhood disease associated with cognitive impairment. Our aim was to investigate the possible association of serum folic acid, vitamin B12, and intelligence scores in epileptic children. A group of 30 children with established diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy for at least one year as well as another group of 30 nonepileptic healthy children as the control group were recruited for analysis.

Neurocognitive Function and Its Related Potentials in Children with Beta Thalassemia Major: An Egyptian Study.

Background: Repeated blood transfusions and hemolysis in β-Thalassemia major children lead to iron overload in various organs, including the brain which may cause neurodegeneration.

Aim: To evaluate intelligence quotient in children with β-thalassemia major and healthy counterparts and to assess risk factors that cause cognitive problems.

Subjects And Methods: This case-control study was performed on 50 children aged 6-16 years old with β-thalassemia major as patients group and compared with 50 healthy children as a control group of matched age, sex, and social class.

Effect of Early Breast Milk Nutrition on Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in Preterm Infants.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is one of the essential intrauterine hormonal mediators of growth, and its serum values are often low after preterm delivery.

Aim: To evaluate the influence of immediate breast milk feeding on serum IGF-1 in preterm newborns.

Subjects And Methods: This prospective, observational cohort study included 60 premature infants born < 32 weeks of gestation, divided into group A and B regarding breastfeeding or formula feeding.

Relationship of Oxidant and Antioxidant Markers to Asthma Severity in Egyptian Asthmatic Children.

Background: Asthma is a chronic airway disease which is characterized by oxidant antioxidant imbalance with the generation of oxidative stress related mediators.

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the role of asymmetric dimethylarginine, and malondialdehyde as oxidant markers and serum paraoxonase activity as an antioxidant marker in asthma, and to determine their relationship to the asthma severity and lung function among asthmatic children in Egypt.

Patients And Methods: This case control study was conducted on sixty patients with asthma compared with sixty apparently healthy children of matched age and sex.

Blood lead levels in a group of children: the potential risk factors and health problems.

Objective: To investigate blood lead levels in schoolchildren in two areas of Egypt to understand the current lead pollution exposure and its risk factors, aiming to improve prevention politicies.

Subjects And Method: This was a cross-sectional study in children (n=400) aged 6-12 years recruited from two areas in Egypt (industrial and urban). Blood lead levels were measured using an atomic absorption method.

Dietary Behaviour Pattern and Physical Activity in Overweight and Obese Egyptian Mothers: Relationships with Their Children's Body Mass Index.

Background: Obesity and related morbidity increase in Egyptian women and their children. A better understanding of dietary and activity patterns is needed to reduce obesity prevalence.

Aim: The present study aimed to assess dietary patterns and physical activity in Egyptian overweight and obese mothers and to explore its relationships with their children's body mass index (BMI).

Neck Circumference as a Predictor of Adiposity among Healthy and Obese Children.

Background: Obesity, particularly in the upper part of body, is a major health problem. Because body mass index (BMI) does not adequately describe regional adiposity, other indices of body fatness are being explored.

Objectives: To determine if neck circumference is a valid measure of adiposity (fat distribution) among group of Egyptian children.

Comparison of Serum IgG Antibody Test with Gastric Biopsy for the Detection of Helicobacter Pylori Infection among Egyptian Children.

Background: In developing countries, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is mainly acquired during childhood and may be a predisposing factor for peptic ulcer or gastric cancer later in life. Noninvasive diagnostic tools are particularly useful in children for screening tests and epidemiological studies.

Predictors of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations among a Sample of Egyptian Schoolchildren.

Objective: To assess the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D status among a sample of Egyptian schoolchildren and to evaluate predictors of deficiency and insufficiency.

Subjects And Methods: A cross-sectional study comprising 200 prepubescent schoolchildren aged from 9 to 11 years was performed. A questionnaire including frequency of midday sun exposure, milk intake, physical activity, and level of maternal education was taken.

Association of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D with Life Style and Dietary Factors in Egyptian Prepubescent Children.

Background: There had been a growing evidence of high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency especially among children which may increase the risk of many chronic diseases in adulthood.

Aim: Assessment of different lifestyles and dietary behaviour influencing the level of serum 25-OHD in a group of Egyptian prepubescent children.

Subjects And Methods: Two hundred boys and girls aged from 9 to 11 years were recruited from two primary public schools situated in Giza governorate in Egypt.

Association of neopterin as a marker of immune system activation and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis activity.

Objective: To evaluate neopterin plasma concentrations in patients with active juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and correlate them with disease activity.

Methods: Sixty patients diagnosed as active JIA, as well as another 60 apparently healthy age- and gender-matched children as controls, were recruited from the Pediatrics Allergy and Immunology Clinic, Ain Shams University. Disease activity was assessed by the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 27 (JADAS-27).

Performance of diagnostic biomarkers in predicting liver fibrosis among hepatitis C virus-infected Egyptian children.

The aim of the present study was to identify specific markers that mirror liver fibrosis progression as an alternative to biopsy when biopsy is contraindicated, especially in children. After liver biopsies were performed, serum samples from 30 hepatitis C virus (HCV) paediatric patients (8-14 years) were analysed and compared with samples from 30 healthy subjects. All subjects were tested for the presence of serum anti-HCV antibodies.