Heavy metal levels are positively associated with serum periostin and miRNA-125b levels, but inversely associated with miRNA-26a levels in pediatric asthma cases. A case-control study.

Background: The study investigated heavy metals levels [urinary cadmium (U-Cd), erythrocytic cadmium (E-Cd), urinary arsenic (U-As), and whole blood lead (WB-Pb)] in children with bronchial asthma (BA) and tested their associations with serum periostin, miRNA-125b and miRNA-26a levels, and with asthma severity clinically and laboratory [blood eosinophils count (BEC) and serum total immunoglobin E (IgE)]. Also, we tested cut-off points, for the studied parameters, to distinguish BA cases from healthy children.

Methods: This case-control study included 158 children divided into control group; n = 72 and BA group; n = 86.

The usefulness of modified distress thermometer in screening adolescents with COVID-19 for psychological distress: A prospective study.

Background: Children and adolescents are more vulnerable than other age groups to the psychosocial effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The modified distress thermometer (m-DT) was recently utilized for measuring the prevalence of psychological distress among adult COVID-19 patients. In the current study, we aimed to test the utilization of this m-DT in screening adolescent patients with COVID-19 for psychological distress.

Neonatal heavy metals levels are associated with the severity of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a case-control study.

Background: This case-control study aimed to compare lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) levels in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) with those levels in normal neonates and tested their associations with the severity of NRDS indicated by the levels of serum surfactant protein D (SP-D) and cord blood cardiac troponin I (CTnI), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).

Methods: The study included two groups: G1 (60 healthy neonates) and G2 (100 cases with NRDS). Cord blood Pb, erythrocytic Cd (E-Cd), neonatal scalp hair As (N-As), maternal urinary Cd (U-Cd), and arsenic (U-As) were measured by a Thermo Scientific iCAP 6200, while CTnI, hs-CRP, and SP-D by their corresponding ELISA kits.

Clinico-Etiological Profile and Predictors of Mortality of Nontraumatic Coma in Children of Upper Egypt: A Prospective Observational Study.

Nontraumatic coma (NTC) is a considerable cause of morbidity and mortality in children. This prospective observational study aimed to determine the clinico-etiological profile of NTC in children and delineate clinical signs predicting mortality in Upper Egypt from June 2019 to May 2020. All children from 1 month of age to 16 years who were admitted with NTC were included in the study.

Clinical profile and outcome of acute organophosphate poisoning in children of Upper Egypt: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Organophosphates are one of the most common agents of poisoning in developing countries including Egypt. Due to lack of data about characteristics of organophosphates poisoning in our localities, we aimed to evaluate its clinical pattern and factors affecting outcome.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in South valley University hospital between January 2019 and December 2019.