Background: The occurrence of seizures in bacterial meningitis is important, as it has been reported to increase the risk of complications; however, its frequency and predictors are not well studied yet. Objective: To assess the frequency, clinical, and biochemical predictors of seizures in children with acute bacterial meningitis. Method: A cross-sectional study recruited confirmed acute bacterial meningitis cases based on positive CSF culture and sensitivity among children aged 2 months to 15 years admitted to the Central Child Teaching Hospital emergency department in Iraq. Patients were divided into two groups based on seizure at presentation time. Demographic characteristics [age, gender, residence, duration of fever and disease, presenting complaints and antibiotic intake]; hematological [WBC, neutrophils] Lymphocyte, N/L ratio, packed cell volume, platelets, blood sugar, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indices were compared between groups. Results: Seizures had a frequency of 18% among the 122 children and were significantly higher in younger cases with female predominance. By multivariate analysis and odds ratio (OR), predictors for seizure were as follows: CSF lymphocytes (OR=0.25, 95%CI=0.08–0.26), lethargy (OR=8.15, 95%CI=1.03-68.65), headache (OR=0.09, 95%CI=0.02-0.45), neck stiffness (OR=0.07, 95% CI=0.01-0.61) and poor feeding (OR=4.8, 95%CI=1.21–18.97). Conclusions: CSF lymphocytes reliably predicted seizure with good sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 73%. Lethargy and poor feeding had the highest odds as clinical predictors of seizures. Together, those results can help with risk stratification and allocate resources for high-risk cases to improve patient outcomes
This comprehensive review examines the efficacy and safety of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors in treating various autoimmune diseases, and focuses on their application in Iraqi patients. Elevated TNF-α levels are linked to autoimmune disorders, leading to the development of anti-TNF-α therapies such as infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, and golimumab, which have gained FDA approval for conditions like psoriasis, in¬flammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. While these therapies demonstrate sig¬nificant therapeutic benefits, including improved quality of life and disease management, they also carry risks, such as increased susceptibility to infections and pote
... Show MoreObjective(s): The main aim of the study is to determine the level of burden on mothers toward children with anorectal malformation.
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out at Welfare Pediatric Teaching Hospital and Central Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Baghdad City. From November 15th, 2017 to April 29th, 2018. Convenient sample comprised of (140) children mothers with anorectal malformation were interviewed for the study. The instrument of study is composed of six domains related mothers' burden toward psychosocial burden as a result of child with anorectal malformation. Validity of the study instrument was determined through a panel of experts and the reliability of the questionnaire is determined in a pilot study among (1
This study included 50 blood serum samples that collected from children with age ranged between 7-12 years. Thirty five samples collected from children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D), and 15 blood serum samples collected from healthy children as a control sample. The polymorphism of IL-4 -590 (C>T) gene, which amplified by using amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS-PCR) was showed high percentage of C allele frequency in T1D patients sample in comparison with T allele frequency, and the C allele revealed as etiological faction with risk by having T1D disease, whereas the T allele showed high frequency from the C allele frequency in control sample, and the T allele revealed as preventive faction from infection by this disease.
... Show MoreThe present work is concerned with the finding of the optimum conditions for biochemical wastewater treatment for a local tannery. The water samples were taken from outline areas (the wastewater of the chrome and vegetable tannery) in equal volumes and subjected to sedimentation, biological treatment, and chemical and natural sedimentation treatment.
The Box-Wilson method of experimental design was adopted to find useful relationships between three operating variables that affect the treatment processes (temperature, aeration period and phosphate concentration) on the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5).
The experimental data collected by this method were successfully fitted to a second order polynomial mathematical model. The most fa
The study involved preparing a new compound by combining Schiff bases generated from compounds for antipyrine, including lanthanide ions (lanthanum, neodymium, erbium, gadolinium, and dysprosium). The preparation of the ligand from condensation reactions (4-antipyrinecarboxaldehyde with ethylene di-amine) at room temperature, and was characterization using spectroscopic and analytical studies ( FT-IR, UV-visible spectra, 1H-NMR, mass spectrometry, (C.H.N.O), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), in addition to the magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurement of the synthesis complexes, among the results we obtained from the tests, we showed that the ligand behaves with the (triple Valence) lanthanide ions, the multidentate
... Show MoreMany international studies indicated that the polymorphisms of some genes disturbed the folate homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism and increased the vulnerability to Down syndrome (DS). We aimed to measure the serum levels of folate and Hcy in DS children and compare the levels with age and sex-matched apparently normal healthy children. We also aimed to study the A80G polymorphism of the gene reduced folate carrier (RFC1) in the DS children as a risk factor. Forty children with DS (24 were boys, and 16 were girls) with the age range between 5-13 years, and 26 normal healthy children (16 boys and ten girls) were included in this study. The results show that the highest genotype in the control group was AG (53.85%) followed by AA and GG (30.
... Show MoreObjectives: To evaluate the effect of vitamin D3 local injections on apical root resorption, alveolar bone integrity, and chair-side time following three and six months of canine retraction. Subjects and Methods: Seventeen adult patients (18-35 years old) of class I and II malocclusions were recruited, who required bilateral maxillary 1st premolars extraction before starting maxillary canines retraction. The experimental side received 25 pg dose of vitamin D3 injected locally into the distal periodontal sulcus of the canine (before force application) every three weeks, while the control side received retraction force only. Periapical radiographic evaluation was conducted after 3 and 6 months of the start of canines' retraction. Results: At
... Show MoreBack ground : Fever is a common medical problem in children. parents have been shown unrealistic fears of harmful effects of fever in their children. Resulting in inappropriate management of fever in their children. Objective: the objective of this study was to survey parents about their knowledge andattitude concerning fever in their children. Methods : The study involved random selection of parents who brought their febrile children to emergency department or out-patient clinics of five teaching and non teaching hospitals in Baghdad from first of October to end of December 2002. Parents of 400 febrile children were interviewed using a standard questionnaire to obtain sociodemographic information and current knowledge of fever. Results: Ap
... Show MoreBack ground : Fever is a common medical problem in
children. parents have been shown unrealistic fears of
harmful effects of fever in their children. Resulting in
inappropriate management of fever in their children.
Objective: the objective of this study was to survey
parents about their knowledge andattitude concerning fever
in their children.
Methods : The study involved random selection of
parents who brought their febrile children to emergency
department or out-patient clinics of five teaching and non
teaching hospitals in Baghdad from first of October to end
of December 2002.
Parents of 400 febrile children were interviewed using a
standard questionnaire to obtain sociodemographic
informatio