No abstract

With respect to seropositive children, as we were unable to differentiate congenital from acquired cases, we recommend prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis by treatment of Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women and treatment of acquired Toxoplasma gondii infection after birth to minimise the risk of SNHL in children.

Background:Viral acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of morbidity in childhood and leads to hospitalization in developed countries, such as Iran.Objectives:The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and viral types (rotavirus, adenovirus, human parechoviruses-1, and human bocavirus) of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis in hospitalized children.Patients and Materials:This was a across-sectional prospective study performed at the Pediatric Department of Rasoul Hospital, Tehran, Iran (2009-2011) on 80 hospitalized children with viral AGE. All Stool samples were collected on viral transport media. Human bocavirus (HBoV) was detected using the Real-time PCR TaqMan method. Molecular detection of human parechovirus type 1 (HPeV-1) RNA in stool samples was done using a specific nested reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Rota and adeno virus antigens were sought by rapid chromatographic tests. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results:Fever was determined in 47.5% of cases (38), nausea and vomiting in 42.5% (34), respiratory symptoms in 16.3% (13), abdominal pain in 76%. Duration of diarrhea was 1-30 days (mean = 6.3 + 4.3 days). No dehydration was observed in 43.5% of subjects, mild dehydration in 33.8%, moderate dehydration in 17.5% and severe dehydration in 5% of cases. Positive rotavirus was found in 48.8% of cases (39), adenovirus in 20% (16), HBoV in 8% (6) and HPeV-1 in 23.2% (19), and adeno and rotaviruses co-infection in 6% (4). The frequency of positive HBoV was significantly lower than adeno and rotaviruses infection (P value = 0.0001). Rotavirus was more frequent in males (P value = 0.003) and in young children (17.49 months vs. 21.44 months) [P value = 0.03, CI = -13.4, 5.5]. Rotavirus infection was related to the degree of dehydration (P value = 0.001) but was not related to the presence of vomiting or fever (P value > 0.5).Conclusions:This study indicates that viral agents, especially rotavirus (48.8%), HPeV-1 (23.2%) and adenovirus (20%) are the most important causes for viral AGE in children while HBoV (8%) is infrequent during childhood. Determination of various viral pathogens of AGE is very important in planning diarrhea disease control strategies in our country where rotavirus vaccination in not routinely used.

Background and Objective: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is one of the most common causes of hospital admission in our young population. This prospective cohort study was carried out to assess the relation of serum levels of zinc, vitamins A and D with UTI in children with proven UTI. Methods: The serum levels of Zinc, vitamins A and D were compared between 25 proven UTI cases (admitted in 2 educational hospitals in Tehran) and 40 controls without infection (children who had undergone for elective surgery). The average age of children was 2.17 years. Atomic absorption Spectrophotometry, Radioimmunoassay, and HPLC methods were used for measuring the Zinc, Vit D and A, respectively. Results: Although the serum levels of zinc were significantly lower in UTI cases (P=0.05), no significant differences had observed between cases and controls for vitamins A and D in sera (P=0.4 and P=0.9). Conclusion: Due to established lower zinc level in UTI cases (p-value = 0.05), zinc deficiency might have a role in susceptibility to UTI in studied children. Administration of zinc could be helpful in preventing UTI. To establish the role of Vitamins A and D in vulnerability to UTI, further extensive research with larger samples is needed. Conclusion: Due to established lower zinc level in UTI cases (p-value = 0.05), zinc deficiency might have a role in susceptibility to UTI in studied children. Administration of zinc could be helpful in preventing UTI. To establish the role of Vitamins A and D in vulnerability to UTI, further extensive research with larger samples is needed.

Physicians awareness of PID has been rising dramatically in Iran, ensuring an increasing number of patients being diagnosed and treated. More effective treatment services, including health insurance coverage and drug availability are needed to improve the outcome of PID patients.