Protecting optimal childhood growth: systematic nutritional screening, assessment, and intervention for children at risk of malnutrition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background: In 2024, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Advisory Board on Pediatric Nutrition (KSA-ABPN) reviewed childhood undernutrition in the Middle East. We sought to foster efficient nutritional care for infants and children at nutritional risk. Severe malnutrition due to starvation is rare in Saudi Arabia, so we focused on early recognition and treatment of children with mild growth impairment that forewarns risk for further nutritional decline.

A Survey to Identify the Current Management of Cow's Milk Disorders and the Role of Goat Milk-Based Formulas in the Middle East and North Africa Region.

Background: Cow's milk allergy (CMA) and cow's milk intolerance (CMI) are the major cow's milk disorders observed in infants and young children. This study investigates, for the first time, physician knowledge regarding CMA and CMI prevalence, diagnosis, and management in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In addition, we explore the role of goat milk-based formula as an alternative in infants suffering from CMI.

Overweight and obesity among Saudi children and adolescents: Where do we stand today?

Background/aim: To provide the most recent estimate of childhood obesity and determine the trend in childhood obesity in Riyadh city over the past two decades, by comparing our results with previous studies that published data comparable to our study in terms of geography, sample age (6-16 years), and use of World Health Organization (WHO) cut-offs to define obesity.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 among school children in Riyadh city. A sample of 7930 children (67% girls) aged 6-16 years were randomly selected.

Mass Screening for Celiac Disease Among School-aged Children: Toward Exploring Celiac Iceberg in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: We conducted this mass screening study to determine the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) and characterize the celiac iceberg among Saudi pediatric population in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: During the study period (January 2014-June 2016), we have conducted a cross-sectional, mass screening, immunoglobulin A-tissue transglutaminase (TTG-IgA)-based study on 7930 Saudi students from primary and intermediate schools in Riyadh. Students with positive TTG-IgA (>20 U/L) were called in the hospital to undergo a repeat of TTG-IgA; in those with borderline positive TTG-IgA (20-60 U/L), IgA-endomyseal antibody (EMA-IgA) test was performed.

Assessment of knowledge of celiac disease among health care professionals.

Objectives: To assess knowledge of celiac disease among medical professionals (physicians).  

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of hospital-based medical staff in primary, secondary, and tertiary care public, and private hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (KSA). We carried out the study between January 2013 and January 2104 at King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA.

Congenital sodium diarrhea in a neonate presenting as acute renal failure.

Congenital sodium diarrhea is a rare cause of secretory diarrhea due to a defect in the sodium/proton exchanger that results in decreased sodium absorption and increased excretion in stools. We report a pre-term baby boy with a birth weight of 1.4 kg who was referred because of rapidly rising serum urea and creatinine.