Differences between males and females in adult sickle cell pain crisis in eastern Saudi Arabia.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is highly prevalent in the Al-Hasa area of eastern Saudi Arabia. We analyzed our patient data to try and find an explanation for the unexpected observation that more males than females with SCD were transferred to the hospital after a stay in the stabilization unit.

Patients And Methods: We compared differences between males and females in demographics, pattern of response to treatment for pain, and discharge records for SCD patients admitted to the stabilization unit during the years 2000 to 2002.

Symptomatic rickets in adolescence.

Aim: To describe 21 cases of symptomatic rickets in adolescents.

Methods: The setting was a primary and secondary care hospital in Saudi Arabia providing medical care to Saudi Arab company employees and their families. Cases of symptomatic rickets diagnosed between January 1996 and December 1997 in adolescents aged 10 to 15 years were assessed with respect to clinical presentation, biochemical and radiological evaluation, dietary assessment, and estimation of sun exposure.

Lidocaine inhalation for cough suppression.

The purpose of this study was to observe the effectiveness of lidocaine in suppressing cough which is a logical extension of its established use in bronchoscopy. Nebulized lidocaine, preceded by standard nebulized albuterol inhalation driven by oxygen was given to suppress cough in a selected group of patients with intractable cough severe enough to disrupt daily life activities, especially sleep. Patients included those with asthma, reactive airways disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Rickets as an unusual initial presentation of abetalipoproteinemia and hypobetalipoproteinemia.

Objective: Description of rickets as an unexpected initial manifestation in two children with abetalipoproteinemia and hypobetalipoproteinemia, and elucidation of its pathophysiology in these conditions.

Methodology: Two infants aged two and six months with abetalipoproteinemia and hypobetalipoproteinemia respectively had clinical rickets at presentation, confirmed radiologically and biochemically. Vitamin D intake and serum levels were measured and other causes of rickets were looked for.

A painful limp.

We describe a healthy 18-month-old child who developed a painful limp, without a history of trauma or fever. The initial laboratory investigations showed normal results but the radiological findings were suggestive of scurvy. Diagnosis was confirmed by blood tests and by a rapid recovery following replacement therapy.

A twelve year study of the incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Objective: Study of the incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Analysis included all children eligible for care in our hospital who had type 1 diabetes diagnosed before their 15th birthday between 1986 and 1997.

Results: A total of 46 children (27 girls and 19 boys) were identified, with a median age at diagnosis of 10.

Neonatal ECG screening for congenital heart disease in Down syndrome.

We studied the value of routine neonatal electrocardiography (ECG) in the 1st 48 hours of life to diagnose congenital heart disease in 37 neonates with Down syndrome. Twenty-four infants had no clinical evidence of congenital heart disease, had normal ECGs and normal cardiac anatomy on echocardiography. Thirteen children (35.

Feeding problems with the first feed in neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

Objective: To compare the incidence of feeding problems at the first feed between neonates born with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) and those born without MSAF.

Design: A prospective observational study conducted over a one-year period.

Setting: A level 2 neonatal unit.

Is gastric lavage needed in neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid?

Unlabelled: We compared the incidence of complications from meconium-containing gastric fluid in a group of neonates born with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) who did not routinely have gastric lavage prior to feeds, versus a group who had elective gastric lavage before the first feed. In the first group, 275 neonates born with MSAF were fed without prior gastric lavage. While 13 developed feeding problems, the other 262 infants (95%) who did not undergo routine gastric lavage remained free of later feeding difficulties or secondary meconium aspiration.