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. Growth measurements were taken at birth. The standard deviation of each measurement was calculated. Serum IGF-I was measured one day postnatal and at a time equivalent to 40 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Significant higher level of mean serum IGF-1 was detected in group A than B at postnatal age equivalent to 40 weeks of gestation. In group A, the higher significant level was detected in mean serum IGF-1 at an age equivalent to 40 weeks of gestation than at birth (25.21 ± 6.69 and 20.13 ± 5.46 p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that high birth weight, increased age of gestation and breastfeeding were correlated to the elevated serum level of IGF-1 at a postnatal age corresponding to 40 weeks gestational age. CONCLUSION: Immediate breast milk feeding was accompanied by elevated IGF-1 in the serum of preterm infants

Adaptive Functioning and Psychosocial Problems in Children with Beta Thalassemia Major

BACKGROUND: Beta thalassemia major is considered one of the serious health problems and the commonest hemoglobinopathy in Egypt that creates a burden not only on health system but also on the affected families and children who become vulnerable to emotional, social, psychological and behavioural problems. AIM: This study was designed to assess the psychosocial burden and the adaptive functioning in children with beta-thalassemia major. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A group of 50 children with thalassemia major and 50 normal children matched for age and sex were included in a case-control study. Vineland Adaptive Functioning Scale was used to assess the adaptive functions; while the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSCL) was used to assess psychosocial morbidity. RESULTS: A group of 50 children aged 5-17 years old with thalassemia major, their mean age was 11.05 ± 3.8, showed a statistically significant lower total adaptive behaviour score and communication subscale score. All the mean values of adaptive behaviour for cases and controls were within the average values. Results from the PSCL revealed no significant difference between mean scores of children with thalassemia and controls. A score of attention domain was markedly higher in children with thalassemia. Internalising behaviour was the most dominant as it was detected in 10% of the patient group. CONCLUSION: Thalassemic patients had a relatively mild affection for adaptive and psychosocial functioning that can be explained by social and medical support they receive, which may increase their competence and psychological wellbeing

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).SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This descriptive case-control study was conducted at the National Research Center. The study included a sample of 64 overweight and obese mothers and 75 children, compared with apparently healthy non-obese mothers and their children of matched age and social class. Tested questionnaires were used to collect information of the studied subjects.RESULTS: A statistically significantly higher incidence of unemployment, large family size was observed in overweight & obese women compared to controls (P < 0.05). Those women who consumed vegetables more than 3 times a week were less likely to be overweight or obese (P < 0.05). No significant association were detected between mothers' physical activity, dietary behaviour variables and children’s BMI except for consuming beverages with added sugar (95%CI = 0.074-0.985, P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Improper dietary patterns, nonworking mothers and big family size are associated with obesity among Egyptian women. Emphasis should be given to increasing physical activity and encourage healthier diets among Egyptian mothers and their children

Urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein as a Marker for Early Diagnosis of Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 1 Diabetic Children.

 Objectives: Renal failure and premature mortality are fatal prognosis of diabetic nephropathy. To improve patient outcome, early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy is necessary. The study was designed to evaluate urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), as an early biomarker of tubulointerstitial injury, and its association with the clinical characteristics of type 1 diabetic children.Methods: Fifty randomly selected patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) attending the diabetes outpatient clinic of Ain Shams University Children's Hospital were included in the study. 50 age and sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled as controls. Urinary L-FABP, 24 h urine albumin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum creatinine, and lipid profile were measured.Results: Diabetic subjects had higher mean urinary L-FABP than controls (p<0.05). In microalbuminuric diabetic subjects, the mean urinary L-FABP was detected to be significantly higher than that in normoalbuminuric diabetic subjects, and significantly higher values of the mean urinary L-FABP were detected in the microalbuminuric and the normoalbuminuric subjects than the controls (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that duration of DM and HbA1c was the main predictors of urinary L-FABP in diabetic subjects.Conclusion: In patients with childhood-onset T1D, urinary L-FABP may be used as an indicator of renal injury in early stages of nephropathy, even in the normoalbuminuric state

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

Objective: To investigate blood lead levels (BLLs) 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). BLLs were measured using an atomic absorption method. Detailed questionnaires on sources of lead exposure and history of school performance and any behavioral changes were obtained. Results: The mean BLL in the urban area of Egypt (Dokki) was 5.45 ± 3.90 μg/dL, while that in the industrial area (Helwan) was 10.37 ± 7.94 μg/dL, with a statistically significant difference between both areas (p < 0.05). In Dokki, 20% of the studied group had BLLs ≥ 10 μg/dL, versus 42% of those in Helwan. A significant association was found between children with abnormal behavior and those with pallor with BLL ≥ 10 μg/dL, when compared with those with BLL < 10 μg/dL (p < 0.05). Those living in Helwan area, those with bad health habits, and those living in housing with increased exposure were at a statistically significantly higher risk of having BLL ≥ 10 μg/dL. Conclusion: Lead remains a public health problem in Egypt. High BLLs were significantly associated with bad health habits and housing with increased exposure, as well as abnormal behavior and pallor

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

Abstract 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. Detailed questionnaires on sources of lead exposure and history of school performance and any behavioral changes were obtained. Results: The mean blood lead level in the urban area of Egypt (Dokki) was 5.45 ± 3.90 µg/dL, while that in the industrial area (Helwan) was 10.37 ± 7.94 µg/dL, with a statistically significant difference between both areas (p < 0.05). In Dokki, 20% of the studied group had blood lead levels ≥ 10 µg/dL, versus 42% of those in Helwan. A significant association was found between children with abnormal behavior and those with pallor with blood lead level ≥ 10 µg/dL, when compared with those with blood lead level < 10 µg/dL (p < 0.05). Those living in Helwan area, those with bad health habits, and those living in housing with increased exposure were at a statistically significantly higher risk of having blood lead level ≥ 10 µg/dL. Conclusion: Lead remains a public health problem in Egypt. High blood lead levels were significantly associated with bad health habits and housing with increased exposure, as well as abnormal behavior and pallor