The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the socioeconomic risk factors associated with obesity among female school-aged children and adolescents in primary and intermediate schools in Al-Khobar city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Khobar city, which is located in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia, during the period of January to March 2003. It involved 2239 female schoolchildren randomly selected from 30 regular government and private primary and preparatory schools. The students' ages ranged from 6 to 17 years, with a mean of 10.49 +/- 2.64 years. A multistage stratified random sampling technique with proportional allocation was used. Data were collected using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Body mass index interpretation was based on using a table of standard definitions for overweight and obesity in children (Cole's). The spss version 10 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data entry and analysis. A chi-squared test was used in cross-tabulation analysis to test the significance of association between body mass index and socioeconomic variables. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 20% and 11%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight was higher among schoolchildren with father in private work (P<0.01) and the prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among schoolchildren with highly educated mothers (P=0.008). The prevalence of overweight and obesity among female school-aged children and adolescents in the Al-Khobar city was very high. Accordingly, it is recommended that health education programmes regarding obesity should be provided to all schoolchildren, their families and teachers.

Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria (DUH) and dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH) are pigmentary dermatoses most commonly seen in Japan. Both disorders usually show autosomal dominant inheritance, although in some cases autosomal recessive inheritance was reported. DSH was mapped to chromosome 1q21.3, and mutations in the gene ADAR (DSRAD) were identified in Japanese, Chinese and Taiwanese families with autosomal dominant DSH. A second locus for dyschromatosis was mapped on chromosome 6q24.2-q25.2 in two Chinese families initially reported to be affected with DSH, but later suggested to have autosomal dominant DUH. The aim of this study was to investigate whether one of these two loci is involved in the development of DUH in a consanguineous Bedouin family from Saudi Arabia with four affected and three unaffected sibs, clearly pointing to autosomal recessive inheritance. After excluding mutations in ADAR and linkage to the candidate regions on chromosomes 1 and 6, we performed an single nucleotide polymorphism-based genome-wide scan for linkage with other loci. Under the assumption of autosomal recessive inheritance, we have identified a new locus for dyschromatosis on chromosome 12q21-q23 in this Arab family with a maximum logarithm of the odds (LOD) score of 3.4, spanning a distance of 18.9 cM. Our study revealed the first locus for autosomal recessive DUH and supports recent evidence that DSH and DUH are genetically distinct disorders.

Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria (DUH) is an autosomal dominant cutaneous condition characterized by generalized well-demarcated hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules. Here we are reporting five members of an Arabic family affected with this disease in two separate generations suggesting an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.Four members of a Saudi Arabian family which consisted of three girls, four boys and both parents presented to the dermatology clinic with asymptomatic multiple, bilaterally symmetrical, progressive hypopigmented, depigmented and hyperpigmented, 2-5 mm in diameter macules all over the skin of the body including the face (figs 1 and 2). In all of the four children the condition started during either infancy or childhood. There was no history of photophobia, photosensitivity, hearing defect, preceding inflammatory dermatoses or even systemic disease. According to the mother all of her children had normal developmental milestones except for one of the affected sons who had delayed speech and later demonstrated difficulty in learning which delayed his progress in school. The grandmother had similar skin problem and parents were first-degree relatives.Upon examination of the skin of the affected children there were generalized hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules of less than 5 mm in diameter giving the skin mottled appearance. The palms and soles, mucus membranes, teeth, and nails appeared normal. The hair colour was light brown which was different from the unaffected family members who had black hair. Otherwise the hair was of normal appearance. Systemic examination was negative. Biopsy from the hyperpigmented lesion in one of the boys showed basal layer hypermelanosis with pigmentary incontinence in some areas. So based on those findings a clinical diagnosis of DUH was made and the family is being followed up in our clinic for periodic general evaluation of their skin.Dyschromatoses are a group of disorders characterized by the presence of small and irregular-shape hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules. There are two major forms -dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH) and dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria (DUH) -both of which are seen most commonly in Japan. 1 Some fig. 1 Reticulate multiple hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules on the hands and feet. fig. 2Facial affection with hypopigmented and hyperpigmented macules.

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Tattoo pigment removal by Q-switched alexandrite laser is an effective method in skin type (III-IV) with minimal side effects, which gives high patient satisfaction.