Epilepsy among elderly Sudanese patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation and characteristics of elderly Sudanese patients with epilepsy. Methodology: This is a prospective study (from Feb. 2005 to Jun 2008). The study population included 240 elderly epileptic patients (age 60 years or above). Results: Cerebrovascular accident was found to be the most common cause of secondary epilepsy (31%).Generalize epilepsy was seen in 120 (50%) of patients. Abnormal neurological findings were more common (49%) among patients with partial epilepsy. Fifty percent of our patients showed abnormal EEG. Abnormal CT brain findings were common among patients with partial epilepsy. Conclusion: The pattern of clinical presentation of epilepsy among elderly Sudanese epileptic patients is similar to what was mentioned in the literature except that the percentage of epilepsy following infections was more among our studied group (6%Keywords: Cerebrovascular, EEG, seizure

Anthropometric, biochemical and hormonal profiles of the partially admixed pygmoid group in Rampasasa (Flores, Indonesia)

Objectives: We performed a cross-sectional study on anthropometric and laboratory characteristics of inhabitants of Rampasasa (Flores, Indonesia). Adults were categorised according to ancestry into three groups: pygmoid (P/P, offspring of pygmoid parents, n=8), mixed pygmoid (P/N, offspring of pygmoid and non-pygmoid parents, n=12) and non-pygmoid (N/N, n=10). Children (n=28) were P/N.Methods: Measurements included height, weight, sitting height, arm span, head circumference, haematological analysis and serum albumin, calcium, vitamin D, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). Pubertal stage and bone age was assessed in children. Anthropometric data were expressed as standard deviation score (SDS) for age. IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio were expressed as SDS for age, bone age and pubertal stage.Results: Mean height SDS showed a gradient from P/P (-4.0) via P/N (-3.2) to N/N (-2.3) (-3.4, -3.1 and -2.2 adjusted for age-associated shrinking). Sitting height and head circumference showed similar gradients. Serum IGF-I SDS was similar among groups (approximately -1 SDS). IGFBP-3 SDS tended toward a gradient from P/P (-1.9) via P/N (-1.5) to N/N (-1.1), but IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio was normal in all groups. In P/P and P/N, mean head circumference SDS was >2 SD greater than mean height SDS. Children showed a progressive growth failure and bone age delay, delayed female pubertal onset and an initial low serum IGF-I, normal IGFBP-3 and low IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio.Conclusions: P/P showed proportionate short stature with relative macrocephaly and relatively low IGFBP-3; P/N presented an intermediate pattern. P/N children were progressively short, showed delayed skeletal maturation, delayed puberty in girls and low IGF-I and IGF- I/IGFBP-3.Developmen

COP27 climate change conference: Urgent action needed for Africa and the world

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