Assessment of Vitamin D Status in Egyption Boys Aged 2-10 Years

Background Vitamin D plays an essential role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Recent evidence suggests that vitamin D may also be important for a variety of non-skeletal outcomes including neuromuscular function, immunomodulation, and control of other hormonal system. It is well known that exposure of skin to direct sunlight is the most important source of vitamin D, so that according to many causes like fear of skin cancer, traditional clothing and spending most of the time indoors many Egyptian girls are exposed to vitamin D deficiency. Hypovitaminosis D is a widespread disorder in developing countries across all age groups, regardless of their latitude. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of vitamin D deficiency/sufficiency in a sample of Egyptian boys children. Subjects and Methods The present study was conducted on 80 boys age from (2-10) years old randomly selected from outpatient clinic of Ain Shams University and their healthy relative. We excluded girls, boys whose age<2 years or > 10 years, boys suffering from chronic illness or on drugs as corticosteroid and anti-epileptic drugs. Results The results demonstrate that all boys studied have vitamin D deficiency with (36.25%of them with mild vitamin D deficiency, 46.25%of them have moderate vitamin D deficiency, and 17.50% of them have severe vitamin D deficiency. There was positive correlation between vitamin D and sun exposure.

537 Transplantation of Fresh Scalp Allograft in Repairing Extensive Deep Burn Wounds in Children

Introduction It is difficult to treat pediatric extensive burns, which contribute to high mortality rates, partly because of the lack of large allogeneic skin to close wound in China. Therefore, we innovatively used fresh scalp as thin split thickness skin allografts to cover the burn wounds of pediatric patients. Methods Fresh scalp allografts were harvested from voluntary donors who were patients’ relatives. The median total burn area in the major burns was of 40% TBSA, in depth of deep second to third degree. The fresh scalp allografts were transplanted on the wounds post tangential excision or escharectomy in the way of mere fresh scalp allografts coverage or mixed coverage with autografts and fresh scalp allografts. Results All the patients survived without serious complications during the treatment period. The median healing time was 47 days; the average healing time of the donors’ scalps was (7.6±1.08) days with no scar formation, alopecia areata or folliculitis post operation. Conclusions The use of fresh scalp allografts in the treatment of pediatric major burns is an effective and feasible method in protecting wounds and promoting wound healing as well as in reducing scar formation in the donor sites of burned children. The high ratio of fresh scalp areas to pediatric burn wound areas ensures high efficiency of wound coverage; and healthy relative skin donors have more initiatives and favorable healing results. Applicability of Research to Practice This is a clinical research which is highly applicable in practice.

Trichohepatoenteric Syndrome or Syndromic Diarrhea—Report of Three Members in a Family, First Report from Iran

Introduction.Intractable diarrhea of infancy (IDI) includes several types of early onset diarrhea; one of the rare etiologies is trichohepatoenteric (THE) syndrome, also known as syndromic diarrhea (SD) which was primarily described by Stankler et al. Hereby we report a family with several affected members which to our knowledge is the first case report from Iran.Report of Cases.A three-year-old boy referred with short stature, poor weight gain, and intermittent steatotic diarrhea to our center. He was born to healthy, relative parents (cousins). He did not gain any weight after four months of age and began having intermittent steatotic diarrhea, abdominal distension, and fever. He was hospitalized several times. Two other children in the family also showed somewhat similar symptoms. Two sweat tests were negative for cystic fibrosis. Workup for Celiac disease was performed several times which was negative; however, gluten-free diet was tried several times which was not effective. Workup for Hirschsprung’s disease was performed but colon was ganglionic. Evidence of liver involvement was approved by elevated liver enzymes and coarse echo of liver on sonography.Discussion.Trichoenterohepatic syndrome should be put in mind in cases of intractable diarrhea presenting in a family with several affected members. Early diagnosis would save patients from unnecessary workups.

Motivational and Behavioral Correlates of Life Satisfaction in an Elderly Sample

This study examined the relationship between self-reported life satisfaction of elderly persons and their motivation for competence as assessed on self-ratings and indirect measures of needs for achievement and affiliation. Behavioral data relating to frequency of engaging in mastery-type activities, social interactions and exercise were also gathered. This sample described themselves as content with their lives and healthy relative to normative levels. As predicted, there was a marked discrepancy between self-report and implicit measures of motivation, with self-reported motives being significantly correlated with satisfaction (i e, r = .33 for Achievement and r = .30 for Affiliation) and implicit motives not significantly correlated with satisfaction. Needs for achievement and affiliation on the whole did not significantly correlate with actual life circumstances. The results suggest that competence motivation may play a small part in the contentment which older individuals feel in their lives.

Lifestyle Differences between Young Adult Cocaine Users and Their Nonuser Peers

Health-related behaviors were examined in a group of twenty-five young adults who regularly used cocaine and in a matched sample of twenty-five nonusing young adults. We hypothesized that cocaine users would have a less healthy lifestyle as indicated by behavioral scales or items on three health domains: Nonillicit Drugs, Health Orientation, and Health Behaviors. Cocaine users consumed more cups of coffee per day, more alcoholic beverages per week, and ate fewer complete/balanced meals per day than non-users. Cocaine users also reported fewer relaxing or stress-reducing activities and less daily planning and organization. A within-groups analysis of the cocaine users revealed that the heavier users perceived themselves as less healthy relative to their peers and ate fewer complete/balanced meals. These results suggest that cocaine use is a behavior embedded within a complex of interrelated unhealthy behaviors that constitute an unhealthy lifestyle. By implication, cocaine use is associated with a greater lifestyle imbalance involving polydrug use at the expense of nutrition and effective self-management. These results suggest that clinical interventions for prevention and treatment of cocaine use should promote specific healthy lifestyle changes in addition to the current practice of promoting a cessation of drug use.