IntroductionRotavirus gastroenteritis is an important public health problem all over the world, causing a notable economic burden in both developing and developed countries.AimTo explore the relationship between blood group typing, rotavirus gastroenteritis, and its severity in Egyptian children.Material and methodsA cross sectional case control study was conducted on 231 cases of acute gastroenteritis attending the outpatient clinic of Al-Zahraa University Hospital. Full history taking, clinical examination, and clinical data collection were done. Blood samples were collected for an ABO grouping. Stool samples were tested for viral gastroenteritis agents.ResultsRota positive cases of GE were significantly more prevalent among cases with blood group A (p < 0.05) and significantly less among cases with blood group B (p < 0.05). The rate of hospitalisation was highly significantly greater among cases with group A (p < 0.005), and significantly lower among cases with group AB and O (p < 0.05). As regards the degree of dehydration, moderate and severe cases were highly significant in groups A and O (p < 0.005). Rota-positive gastroenteritis showed significant positive correlations with indicators of severity such as hospitalisation, degree of dehydration, and duration of fever (p < 0.005).ConclusionsBlood group A is highly associated with paediatric rotavirus gastroenteritis. This could highlight an important risk factor, which could play a significant role for the pathogenesis of rotavirus gastroenteritis and severity as well. Furthermore, more intervention care could be needed for blood group A paediatric patients, if gastroenteritis especially rotavirus affect this group to avoid comorbidities.

Background Juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus JO-SLE patients usually exhibit a more aggressive disease course compared to adult patients. Vitamin D deficiency is proposed to be associated with increased disease activity and flares of numerous autoimmune diseases like SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma. Objective To evaluate the level of IL-17, IFN-γ, and 25-OH Vit D in JO-SLE patients versus healthy controls, and determine the correlation of those inflammatory mediators with SLE disease activity and damage scores. Furthermore, to analyze the relationship between 25-OH Vit D levels with the inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-17) in JO-SLE patients. Patients and methods Fifty JO-SLE patients and 25 controls were included in this study. Clinical and laboratory data of patients at the time of the study were recorded. SLE disease activity and damage were assessed using the SLEDAI-2K disease score and SLICC damage index, respectively. Plasma 25-OH Vit D, IFN-γ, and IL-17 concentrations were determined using the human ELISA kit. Results Plasma 25-OH Vit D levels (20 ng/mL) were significantly lower in JO-SLE patients compared to (31 ng/mL) controls (P = 0.014). Plasma levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 were significantly higher (163.5 and 25.5 pg./mL) in JO-SLE patients than (68.3 and 3 pg./mL) that of controls (P = 0.016 and P = 0.013). There was a significant negative correlation between 25-OH Vit D levels and SLEDAI-2K (R= -0.431) as well as IFN-γ (R= -0.471) plasma level (P = 0.022 and P = 0.027). Conclusion IFN-γ and IL-17 were significantly higher in JO-SLE patients, while 25-OH Vit D was significantly lower compared to controls. There was a negative correlation between 25-OH Vit D and each of SLEDAI-2K and IFN-γ.

Background Diarrheal disease is one of the major causes of mortality of infants and toddlers in developing countries. Bee honey is a functional food that has a unique composition, antimicrobial properties, and bifidogenic and anti-inflammatory effects.Objective The present study was carried out to assess the effect of using pure honey as a form of adjuvant to oral rehydration solution (ORS) in the management of acute infantile diarrhea. Patients and methodsThe effect of floral honey on 150 infants aged 6-24 months suffering from acute diarrhea with mild to moderate dehydration was assessed. They were randomized into three groups of 50 infants each. Group I received WHO ORS only. The other two groups received floral honey in various forms: group II: received 50 ml honey in 1 l of ORS; group III: received pure honey at a dose of 5 ml every 6 h/day, in addition to ORS. The studied groups were observed for rehydration time, vomiting, diarrhea, and recovery time. Stool culture was carried out at admission. Stool pH and serum sodium and potassium levels were estimated and followed up until recovery. ResultsThe recovery time was significantly shorter in group III, which was treated with pure honey and ORS (3.1 ± 0.6 days) as compared with group I and group II (P < 0.05). Moreover, pure honey and ORS shortened the recovery time significantly both in infants with bacterial and in those with nonbacterial diarrhea. A significant positive correlation was found between the degree of dehydration and frequency of diarrhea (r = 0.340, P < 0.01). The recovery time was significantly negatively correlated with the frequency of diarrhea and stool pH (r = -0.340, P < 0.05).Conclusion Honey is a nonallergic, natural agent of high nutrient value. Pure honey administered as a form of adjuvant therapy in addition to ORS in cases of acute infantile diarrhea causes significant shortening of the recovery period, decreases the frequency of passing loose stools, and improves stool consistency. Further studies on pure honey as an adjuvant therapy in infantile diarrhea are recommended on a large scale.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESObesity is one of the most serious global health issues. The aim of this study was to assess the association between obesity and different components of metabolic syndrome among obese school children aged 7 to 9 years, and to identify associated clinical and biochemical characteristics.DESIGN AND SETTINGCase-control study among children attending Al-Zahraa Hospital Outpatient Clinic March 2010.SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe study included 60 obese children (28 boys and 32 girls) and 50 non-obese controls (25 boys and 25 girls). Anthropometry, fasting glucose, insulin concentrations, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured. Insulin resistance was determined by Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Subcutaneous and visceral fat thicknesses were measured ultrasonographically. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined according to the Cook criteria.RESULTSMS was found in 25% of obese cases. Obese children showed significantly higher values in waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, levels of systolic and diastolic BP, insulin, HOMA-IR and LDL compared to their lean controls. HDL was significantly lower in obese children compared to controls. Obese children with MS had significantly higher values of body mass index standard deviation score (SDS), skinfold thickness, visceral fat thickness, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic BP, HOMA-IR, insulin and triglycerides compared to obese children without MS, whereas HDL was significantly lower. Obese children with MS had a high prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia compared to children without MS. Results showed positive relationships between visceral fat and waist circumference as well as with insulin level in obese children (P<.05).CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of the MS is considerable among obese Egyptian children. Abdominal obesity and high HOMA-IR values were the most frequent components of this syndrome among obese children. The study suggests that increased degree of insulin resistance is associated with a heightened risk of suffering MS.