Iodine Deficiency Disorders as a Predictor of Stunting among Primary School Children in the Aseer Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To investigate the present occurrence of stunting and explore the role of iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) as a predictor of stunting among primary school children in the Aseer Region.

Methods: In a cross-sectional investigation on school children in the Aseer region, thyroid enlargement was evaluated clinically. Urine was collected to evaluate iodine content.

Iodine-deficiency disorders in the Aseer region, south-western Saudi Arabia: 20 years after the national survey and universal salt iodization.

Objective: To study (i) the current prevalence of iodine-deficiency disorders among schoolchildren in south-western Saudi Arabia after universal salt iodization and (ii) the iodine content of table salts and water.

Design: Cross-sectional study on a stratified proportional allocation sample of children. Thyroid gland enlargement was assessed clinically and by ultrasound scanning.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among health students and health care workers in the Najran region, southwestern Saudi Arabia: the need for national guidelines for health students.

Background: The objectives of the study were to study the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among health college students (HS) and health care workers (HCWs) in the Najran Region of south-western Saudi Arabia and to study the students' knowledge of occupational exposure to blood-borne viral infections.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 300 HS and 300 HCWs was conducted.

Results: An overall seroprevalence of HBV of 1.

Assessment of malignancy rate in thyroid nodules according to the Bethesda system of fine-needle aspiration. Report from a tertiary center in the Southwestern region of Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To determine the rates of malignancy of thyroid nodules in each standard cytologic diagnostic category of the Bethesda system.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort study from October 1998 to April 2007 at the Department of Pathology, Aseer Central Hospital, Southwestern region of Saudi Arabia, all cases of thyroid nodules that underwent preoperative cytologic examination by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and concurrent postoperative histopathologic examination were included. All FNA diagnoses were reclassified using the thyroid FNA Bethesda reporting system, including non-diagnostic (insufficient), benign, atypical follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AFLUS), neoplasm, suspicious of malignancy, and malignant groups.

Hurthle cell neoplasms of thyroid in south-western region of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Thyroid Hurthle cell neoplasm (THCN) is relatively rare.

Objective: To describe the presentation, diagnostic approach and management of THCN in our institution.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of all thyroid Hurthle cell neoplasms diagnosed at Aseer Central Hospital (ACH), Saudi Arabia during the period from October 1998 to April 2007.