The Relationship between Bone Mineral Density and Serum Vitamin D Levels in Cystic Fibrosis Children

Background: Cystic fibrosis is a multisystemic disorder. It is the most common autosomal recessive disorder in whites that causes complications such as changes in bone density. Therefore, evaluating bone densitometry and serum levels of vitamin D in children with cystic fibrosis is the aim of our study. Methods: This study was performed on 54 children with cystic fibrosis. After recording demographic information, bone densitometry and serum levels of vitamin D were recorded. Chi-square and Pearson correlation tests were used to compare data. Results: Based on our study 53.7% of patients with CF had vitamin D less than 20 nmol / l. It was also found that based on lumbar BMD, 20.3% had a BMD less than 2.5 - Based on femoral BMD, 18.5% had a BMD less than -2.5. And our results demonstrated that there is no relation between BMD with vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus but it is significantly correlated with age, height, weight, and BMI. Conclusion: Decreased BMD is high in patients with CF; on the other hand there is a deficiency of vitamin D in more than 50% of these patients to whom vitamin D supplements should be prescribed along with the standard treatments. Further studies are also required to investigate the effect of other factors on BMD

Infection Rate of Cryptosporidium parvum among Diarrheic Children in Isfahan

Abstract Objective: Cryptosporidiosis is an important enteric parasitic infection among infants and children in developing countries with significant morbidity and mortality especially among immuno-suppressed individuals. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of enteric cryptosporidiosis in children presenting with diarrhea in Isfahan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2007 to June 2008 in three university hospitals in Isfahan. Children aged 1 month to 10 years presenting with acute or persistent diarrhea were selected consecutively. The oocyst of C. parvum was investigated in stool specimens using a modified acid-fast staining method. Findings: During the study period, 606 children (mean age 42.4±30.0 months, 58.1% female) were recruited. Acute and persistent diarrhea was present in 422 (69.6%) and 184 (30.4%) of the children, respectively. Twenty eight (4.6%) specimens were oocyst positive. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was significantly higher in children with persistent diarrhea compared to children with acute diarrhea (12.5% vs 1.2%; P<0.001). Most of the infected children were under 5 years of age (89.2%), however, the age difference between infected and non-infected children was not statistically significant. Also, there was no significant difference between infected and non-infected children in gender. Conclusion: The prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis in children presenting with persistent diarrhea is considerable and we suggest routine stool examination for Cryptosporidium in this group of children

Infection Rate of Cryptosporidium parvum among Diarrheic Children in Isfahan

Objective: Cryptosporidiosis is an important enteric parasitic infection among infants and children in developing countries with significant morbidity and mortality especially among immuno-suppressed individuals. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of enteric cryptosporidiosis in children presenting with diarrhea in Isfahan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2007 to June 2008 in three university hospitals in Isfahan. Children aged 1 month to 10 years presenting with acute or persistent diarrhea were selected consecutively. The oocyst of C. parvum was investigated in stool specimens using a modified acid-fast staining method. Findings: During the study period, 606 children (mean age 42.4±30.0 months, 58.1% female) were recruited. Acute and persistent diarrhea was present in 422 (69.6%) and 184 (30.4%) of the children, respectively. Twenty eight (4.6%) specimens were oocyst positive. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was significantly higher in children with persistent diarrhea compared to children with acute diarrhea (12.5% vs 1.2%; P<0.001). Most of the infected children were under 5 years of age (89.2%), however, the age difference between infected and non-infected children was not statistically significant. Also, there was no significant difference between infected and non-infected children in gender. Conclusion: The prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis in children presenting with persistent diarrhea is considerable and we suggest routine stool examination for Cryptosporidium in this group of children