The neonatal outcome in twin versus triplet and quadruplet pregnancies

<ul> <li><strong>BACKGROUND</strong>: To assess the risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity in twin, triplet and quadruplet pregnancies. </li> <li><strong>METHODS</strong>: In a retrospective study, the neonatal outcome of all twin, triplet and quadruplet gestations delivered from October 2001 to September 2006 was reviewed. The neonatal outcome of triples and quadruplets was compared with a matched group of twins for gestational age.</li> <li><strong>RESULTS</strong>: During a 5-year period, 511 sets of twin pregnancies, 42 sets of triplet and 5 sets of quadruplet pregnancies were studied. The mean of gestational age for twins, triplets and quadruplets were 33.92 ± 3.5 weeks, 30.92 ± 3.8 weeks and 31.60 ± 2.0 weeks, respectively, (P = 0.0001). Triplets and quadruplets weighed less than twins, (P = 0.0001). Neonatal mortality was 13.5% for twins, 26.8% for triplets and 30% for quadruplets. In vitro fertilization, use of ovulation induction agents, and cesarean delivery in the women with triplet and quadruplet were significantly higher than in those with twin pregnancies, (P = 0.0001). The mean age of mothers with triplets and quadruplets was significantly higher than with twins (P = 0.026). There was not a significant difference in respiratory and non-respiratory short outcomes between triplets, quadruplets and twins when matched for gestational age. Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes was significantly lower in triplets and quadruplets than twins. There was no influence of birth order on neonatal mortality of triplet pregnancy. Neonatal mortality of triplet births was significantly decreased over the 5 years of the study period.</li> <li><strong>CONCLUSIONS</strong>: Triplets and quadruplets have a similar neonatal outcome as twins when matched for gestational age. There is no influence of birth on the neonatal mortality of triplet pregnancy. It appears that outcome is mainly dependent on gestational age.</li> <li><strong>KEYWORDS</strong>: Neonatal outcome, twins, triplets, quadruplets.</li> </ul&gt

Prevalence and severity of anemia in pediatric hemodialysis patients, a single center study

BACKGROUNDS: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and severity of anemia in children and adolescents on chronic hemodialysis, and to identify independent predictors of anemia in children on hemodialysis. 
 METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed between September 2005 and January 2006. The study population consisted of 25 patients aged 7−20 years on chronic hemodialysis from pediatric hemodialysis centers in Isfahan. 
 RESULTS: A total of 22 (88%) patients had hemoglobin levels of <11 g/dL (anemic) and 12 patients (48%) had hemoglobin levels of <8 g/dL (severe anemia). The mean age of these patients was 15.5 ± 3.7 years. Mean time on chronic dialysis was 20.44 ± 15.25 months. Anemia was more common and more severe among children who were on dialysis for less than 6 months. There was an inverse relationship between the severity of anemia and duration of hemodialysis (P = 0.019, r = – 0.465). Nearly all patients were treated with erythropoietin, Children with more severe anemia received slightly higher dose of erythropoietin (P = 0.09, r = 0.202). There was a significant difference between serum albumin values in anemic patients and patients without anemia (P = 0.023). There was a correlation between serum albumin and hemoglobin level (r = 0.511, P = 0.01). Intact PTH levels were >200 pg/ml in 16 patients (66%) and >400 pg/ml in 9 patients (37. 5%). There was a reverse correlation between intact PTH level >200 pg/ml and hemoglobin level (r = -0.505, P = 0.046). 
 CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anemia in hemodialysis children in Isfahan appears to be higher than that reported in the other studies in spite of extensive use of rHuEPO and iron supplementation. We found this to be especially true for patients new on hemodialysis (less than 6 months) and in those with low albumin and severe hyperparathyroidism. 
 KEY WORDS: Hemodialysis, anemia, children

Post transplant anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma

Post transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are a heterogeneous group of lymphoid proliferation that ranges from polyclonal hyperplasia to monoclonal malignant lym-phoma. We report a 13-year-old boy who was diagnosed with PTLD in February 2007 after 3 1/2 years of deceased renal transplantation. We treated him with an adapted ACVBP (doxorubicin, cyclo-phosphamide, vincristine, bleomycin and prednisone) regimen. He responded well to the chemo-therapy without deterioration of graft function

Nephrocalcinosis in very low birth weight infants

To determine the incidence and risk factors of nephrocalcinosis in preterm infants, we studied in a prospectively 64 preterm infants of birth weight :5 1500 g from February 2006 to November 2007. Data were collected on gestation, birth weight, gender and family history of renal calculi, respiratory support, and use of nephrotoxic drugs. The parameters of mineral meta-bolism were assessed in blood and spot urine samples at the end of 2 nd and 4 th weeks of age. Forty-nine babies completed the study, and nephrocalcinosis was observed in 13 (26.5%) babies and was bilateral in 7 (14.3%) infants. The mean age of diagnosis of nephrocalcinosis was 52.58 days (range 30-123 days). Gestational age, birth weight, and sex were not significantly associated with increased risk of nephrocalcinosis. The mean duration of ventilation was significantly less in babies with than without nephrocalcinosis (P= 0.020), and the mean levels of urine calcium and phosphate at 4 weeks of age, respectively (P= 0.013, P= 0.048). There were also significant diffe-rences in urine calcium/creatinine ratio (P= 0.001), mean plasma levels of calcium at 2 weeks of age (P= 0.047) and plasma levels of phosphate at 4 weeks of age (P= 0.016) between babies with and without nephrocalcinosis. Using logistic regression analysis, family history of renal stone (P= 0.002) and urine calcium/creatinine ratio (P= 0.011) were significant predictors of nephrocalci-nosis. However, there were no significant differences in the length of stay in the intensive care unit, duration of total parenteral nutrition, and duration and cumulative doses of nephrotoxic drugs between these two groups. We conclude that the incidence of nephrocalcinosis was similar in our population to the previous studies. Family history of renal stone and urine calcium/ creatinine ratio are the major risk factors of nephrocalcinosis in very low birth weight neonates

The metabolic syndrome in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Isfahan, Iran

<ul><li><strong>BACKGROUND</strong>: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in survivors of childhood leukemia in Isfahan, Iran.</li><li><strong>METHODS</strong>: During a 4-year period (2003 to 2007), 55 children (33 male and 22 female) diagnosed with ALL at Unit of Hematology/ Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Isfahan University of Medical Science, were enrolled in this crosssectional study. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the modified version of Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) criteria. Insulin resistance was defined based on the homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA-IR).</li><li><strong>RESULTS</strong>: The mean age of participates was 10.4 years (range 6-19 years) and the mean interval since completion of chemotherapy was 35 months. Twenty percent (11/55) of survivors (10 male, 1 female) met criteria for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Obesity was observed in one forth of patients and nearly 3/4 of obese patients had metabolic syndrome. High serum insulin levels were found in 16% of participants and in 63% of obese survivors. The mean insulin levels in survivors with metabolic syndrome was three-times more than those without (28.3 mu/l vs. 9.57 mu/l, p = 0.004). Insulin resistance was detected in 72.7% of survivors with metabolic syndrome and it was  ositively correlated with serum triglycerides (0.543, p < 0.001), systolic and diastolic BP (0.348, p = 0.01 and 0.368, p = 006 respectively), insulin levels (0.914, p < 0.001) and blood sugar (0.398, p = 003).</li><li><strong>CONCLUSIONS</strong>: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in survivors of childhood leukemia in Iran is higher than developed countries. Nearly all of the obese patients had metabolic syndrome. Weight control and regular physical exercise are recommended to the survivors.</li><li><strong>KEYWORDS</strong>: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, metabolic syndrome, obesity, children.</li></ul&gt

Value of sonography in the diagnosis of mild, moderate and severe vesicoureteral reflux in children

This study was conducted to determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of gray scale sonography in the diagnosis of mild, moderate and severe vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). This cross-sectional descriptive analytic study was conducted in the University Clinic of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2008. The study was performed on children aged two to 12 years; female children with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) and clinical suspicion of VUR and males with history of UTI and VUR who attended follow-up during the six months study period were selected. Non-cooperative patients were excluded from the study. A total of 90 patients were studied. The data gathering method was sequential. The following sonographic parameters were assessed in all the study patients: antero-posterior pelvic diameter, distal ureteric diameter and stasis of urinary system, which were measured at rest and during and after the Valsalva maneuver. Also, the vesicoureteral junction distance and distance of vesicoureteral junction to the midline were measured on both sides at rest. We then referred them for radionuclide cystography (RNC) and the results of the two methods were compared. Data were analyzed with SPSS program and t-test and chi square formulas were used. The sensitivity of ultrasound in the diagnosis of VUR was 70.9% and the specificity was 51.4%. Thus, the PPV was 69.64% and the negative predictive value was 52.94%. Although the most definite diagnosis of VUR is made with micrurating cystoureterography or RNC, sonography may be used as the first step in evaluation for VUR, especially in high-grade VUR

Pathological diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection in renal allograft without c4d staining, how much reliable?

Background: C4d as a part of complement activation process is a marker for detecting antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) and its positivity accompanied by positive donor specific antibody (DSA), and morphologic view of humoral rejection has been suggested to detect ABMR since 2003. Materials and Methods: 41 specimens of transplanted kidney biopsies gathered from 2006 to 2008 were evaluated for morphological changes on light microscopy, and nephro-pathologist made distinct diagnosis for all of specimens then c4d staining was done for all of them. The association between primary diagnosis without c4d staining and c4d scoring on peritubular capillaries and glomerular capillaries were evaluated to determine whether morphological changes were enough for distinct diagnosis or not. Results: Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) 27%, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF&TA) 17%, and T cell mediated rejection (TCMR) 22% were the commonest diagnosis on light microscopy, and 17% of all biopsies had diffuse positive c4d staining. There was not any report of ABMR in morphological evaluation while c4d positive staining was seen in some specimens (17%). It may result from masking of ABMR by other morphological changes such as TCMR and no specific histologic changes for ABMR on light microscopy. Conclusion: We would like to emphasize that c4d staining should be done for all of renal allograft biopsies, and pathologists all over the world should consider the probability of ABMR masked by other morphological changes on light microscopic evaluation