Paediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy: experience in a Sudanese university hospital

We investigated the indications for and findings of gastrointestinal [GI] endoscopy in all children </= 16 years old referred for the procedure to the endoscopy unit at Soba University Hospital, Khartoum from January 2004 to January 2006. Thus 113 children were enrolled; 73% underwent upper GI endoscopy, 27% lower GI endoscopy [15% colonoscopy, 12% flexible sigmoidoscopy]. Indications for upper GI endoscopy included haematemesis [24%], portal hypertension [21%], abdominal pain [16%] and vomiting [15%]. Diagnoses included oesophageal varices [16%], gastritis [7%] and hiatus hernia [6%]. Indications for lower GI endoscopy included rectal bleeding [87%], diarrhoea [19%] and anaemia [10%]

Pattern of acute poisoning in Al-Qassim region: a surveillance report from Saudi Arabia, 1999-2003

We reviewed all registered cases of acute chemical poisoning reporting to the preventive medicine department in the Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia from 1999 to 2003. The number of cases increased from 66 to 114 during the study period. Mean age of patients was 17.7 years, and over 39% were children aged </= 5 years. Pesticides were the most common chemical involved; paracetamol and other analgesics were also frequently reported. The oral route was the most frequent, while vomiting was the commonest symptom. Nine deaths were recorded, of which 4 were due to pesticide poisoning. In line with the global trend, acute chemical poisoning is growing as a major health issue in the Qassim Region

Use of combined oral contraceptives: retrospective study in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran

We carried out a retrospective cross-sectional study on 500 women in Isfahan who started taking combined oral contraceptives [COCs] during the period 21 March 1995-20 March 1997. The cumulative continuation rate fell from 77% to 12% over 60 months. The most common reason for discontinuation was side-effects. There was a significant correlation between side-effects and cumulative COC continuation rate [P < 0.05]. The lowest rate was seen in women reporting nausea or vomiting. Women who are interested in COCs should receive extensive counselling about the possible side-effects and should be helped to find a method of birth control suited to their temperament and physiology

Is Q fever an emerging infection in Turkey?

Between 4 May and 8 August 2002,46 cases of acute fever were reported near the Black Sea region in northern Turkey. The infection was treated rapidly and successfully with tetracyclines, so clinical diagnosis of rickettsial or ehrlichial infection was considered. Analysis of serum and blood samples taken from 19 patients identified the causative organism as Coxiella burnetii; 7 cases were reported as acute Q fever and 8 as seropositive for past infection. The most common clinical symptoms among the acute cases were vomiting [100.0%], nausea [85.7%], diarrhoea [57.1%], fever [42.9%], abdominal pain [42.9%] and headache [42.9%]. Liver enzymes were elevated in all patients. It is considered that epidemiological investigation for Q fever will be essential in the affected region in future