Sialic acid and anti-ganglioside M1 antibodies are invaluable biomarkers correlated with the severity of autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are devastating neurodevelopmental disorders that showed global increased prevalence. They are characterized by impairment of social communication and stereotyped patterns. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at measuring the levels of total sialic acid (SA) and anti-ganglioside M1 (anti- GM1) IgG antibodies as essential biomarkers in a cohort of children with ASD to identify their diagnostic yield as well as their correlation with the severity of autistic behaviors. METHODS: The demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and clinical data were recorded. The levels of total plasma SA and serum anti-GM1 IgG antibodies levels were measured in 100 children with ASD and 100 healthy controls. The severity of ASD-related symptoms was assessed by using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). RESULTS: Children with ASD had significantly higher levels of both SA and anti-GM1 antibodies than healthy controls (p < 0.001). SA showed a statistically significant moderate diagnostic performance while anti-GM1 antibody showed a statistically significant high diagnostic in differentiating severe from mild to moderate autism. Moreover, both SA and anti-GM1 antibodies levels were significantly correlated to the severity of ASD symptoms (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The significantly increased levels of SA and anti-GM1 antibodies in children with ASD and their correlation with autism-related symptoms suggest their possible etiopathogenic role in autism as one of the pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders. However, further large-scale studies are still needed to explore their possible bidirectional relationship as biomarkers for autism.

Growth charts of Down syndrome in Egypt: a study of 434 children 0-36 months of age.

The aim of the study was to construct new reference growth charts for weight, length and head circumference of Egyptian children with Down syndrome (DS) from birth to 36 months of age. These specific charts may be used by health professionals involved in medical, physical and developmental care of Egyptian children with Down syndrome. The study included 434 children with non-disjunction trisomy 21, 0-36 months of age. They were 54.4% males and 45.6% females and had no concomitant chronic disease (congenital heart disease, gastrointestinal malformations, hypothyroidism, and blood disorders). Overall, 1,955 observations were performed of weight, length and head circumference. The data for each sex were divided into 37 different age groups with 1-month intervals. All measurements were taken using standardized equipments and following the international recommendations. Values were statistically analyzed and growth curves were plotted as means and standard deviations (SD). Growth measurements evaluated in all age groups of both sexes were significantly lower than those of the controls. There was a gender difference in weight, length and head circumference, males with Down syndrome had higher values. In conclusion, we suggest that these new growth charts specific for Down syndrome children may be used in optimizing direct Egyptian DS children care and in providing anticipatory guidance in term of optimal physical growth and early detection of hidden factors affecting growth.

Growth curves of Egyptian patients with Turner syndrome.

This study analyzes the body anthropometric measurements in females with Turner syndrome (TS) not treated with recombinant human growth hormone. Height, weight, head circumference, and body mass index (BMI) data were collected from 93 patients. Their ages ranged from 6 months to 24 years (mean 10 ± 4.3 years). Chromosomal analysis revealed: 55 patients with 45,X and 38 patients with mosaic karyotypes. Patients were divided into yearly age groups. Standard growth curves were constructed for these Egyptian Turner syndrome (TS) patients. Mean and standard deviations were estimated across the age groups. When comparing the mean heights of patients to the Egyptian standards, short stature (≤2 SD) was found in 96.8% of patients older than 6 years. Patients' mean weight and BMI were higher than controls. The mean height of the studied Egyptian patients was slightly lower than that of females with TS in UK and European patients. Therefore, local reference values are more appropriate than International standards. The charts presented here can be used to optimize routine healthcare for Egyptian TS patients. The use of growth charts specific for Egyptian TS patients can help to discover early physical developmental delay and suggests the necessity of looking for concomitant diseases affecting growth.

Anthropometric measurements in Egyptian patients with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable skeletal disorder with bone fragility and often short stature. This study provides anthropometric measurements in Egyptian children with OI and determine variability among OI types classified according to Sillence et al. [Sillence et al. (1979); J Med Genet 16:101-116]. The study included 124 patients with OI. All were subjected to full clinical and radiological examination. Accordingly they were classified into types OI-I (N = 16), OI-III (N = 86), and OI-IV (N = 22) following Sillence classification. Five anthropometric measurements were taken for each patient including: length or standing height, weight, head circumference, arm span, and sitting height. Three indices were calculated: body mass index, relative head circumference, and relative arm span. Results show that mean height standard deviation scores (SDS) was significantly reduced in OI type III and IV compared to type I. Mean sitting height SDS was significantly reduced in OI-III than that of OI-I. Mean relative head circumference was significantly increased in OI-III than that in OI-I and OI-IV. Using anthropometry, this study was able to quantitatively assess the body physique in the different Sillence types of OI and the variability among them.

Coenzyme Q10 and pro-inflammatory markers in children with Down syndrome: clinical and biochemical aspects.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence of oxidative stress was reported in individuals with Down syndrome. There is a growing interest in the contribution of the immune system in Down syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the coenzyme Q10 and selected pro-inflammatory markers such as interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α in children with Down syndrome. METHODS: Eighty-six children (5-8 years of age) were enrolled in this case-control study from two public institutions. At the time of sampling, the patients and controls suffered from no acute or chronic illnesses and received no therapies or supplements. The levels of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, coenzyme Q10, fasting blood glucose, and intelligence quotient were measured. RESULTS: Forty-three young Down syndrome children and forty-three controls were included over a period of eight months (January-August 2014). Compared with the control group, the Down syndrome patients showed significant increase in interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α (p=0.002), while coenzyme Q10 was significantly decreased (p=0.002). Also, body mass index and fasting blood glucose were significantly increased in patients. There was a significantly positive correlation between coenzyme Q10 and intelligence quotient levels, as well as between interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α. CONCLUSION: Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels in young children with Down syndrome may be used as biomarkers reflecting the neurodegenerative process in them. Coenzyme Q10 might have a role as a good supplement in young children with Down syndrome to ameliorate the neurological symptoms.

Assessment of pubertal development in Egyptian girls.

Puberty is a significant event of human growth and maturation associated with marked physiological and psychological changes. The aim of this study was to assess normal pubertal development in Egyptian girls to define normal, precocious and delayed puberty. The present study included a cross-sectional sample of 1,550 normal Egyptian girls of high and middle socioeconomic class living in Cairo. Their ages ranged from 6.5 to 18.5 years. Pubertal assessment was made according to Tanner staging. The mean menarcheal age (MMA) was estimated using probit analysis. Weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The mean age at breast bud stage (B2) was 10.71+/-1.6, pubic hair stage (PH2) was 10.46+/-1.36, while axillary hair stage (A2) was 11.65+/-1.62 and MMA was 12.44 years. The mean age at attainment of puberty was compared with those of other Egyptian studies and other populations. Girls of the present study started pubertal development and achieved menarche earlier than those of previous Egyptian studies confirming a secular trend. Differences between the present study and other worldwide studies can be attributed to various genetic, racial, geographical, nutritional, and secular trend factors.

Coenzyme Q10 and pro-inflammatory markers in children with Down syndrome: clinical and biochemical aspects / Coenzima Q10 e marcadores pró-inflamatórios em crianças com síndrome de Down: aspectos clínicos e bioquímicos

Abstract: Objective: Evidence of oxidative stress was reported in individuals with Down syndrome. There is a growing interest in the contribution of the immune system in Down syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the coenzyme Q10 and selected pro-inflammatory markers such as interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α in children with Down syndrome. Methods: Eighty-six children (5-8 years of age) were enrolled in this case-control study from two public institutions. At the time of sampling, the patients and controls suffered from no acute or chronic illnesses and received no therapies or supplements. The levels of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, coenzyme Q10, fasting blood glucose, and intelligence quotient were measured. Results: Forty-three young Down syndrome children and forty-three controls were included over a period of eight months (January-August 2014). Compared with the control group, the Down syndrome patients showed significant increase in interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α (p = 0.002), while coenzyme Q10 was significantly decreased (p = 0.002). Also, body mass index and fasting blood glucose were significantly increased in patients. There was a significantly positive correlation between coenzyme Q10 and intelligence quotient levels, as well as between interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α. Conclusion: Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels in young children with Down syndrome may be used as biomarkers reflecting the neurodegenerative process in them. Coenzyme Q10 might have a role as a good supplement in young children with Down syndrome to ameliorate the neurological symptoms.

Resumo: Objetivo: Foram relatadas evidências de estresse oxidativo em indivíduos com a síndrome de Down. Há um interesse cada vez maior na contribuição do sistema imunológico na síndrome de Down. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a coenzima Q10 e marcadores pró-inflamatórios selecionados, como interleucina 6 e o fator de necrose tumoral α, em crianças com a síndrome de Down. Métodos: Foram inscritas neste estudo de caso-controle 86 crianças (5-8 anos) de duas instituições públicas. No momento da amostragem, os pacientes e os controles não sofriam de doença aguda ou crônica e não recebiam terapia ou suplementos. Foram medidos os níveis de interleucina 6, fator de necrose tumoral α, coenzima Q10, glicemia de jejum e quociente de inteligência. Resultados: Foram incluídas em oito meses (janeiro-agosto 2014) 43 crianças com síndrome de Down e 43 controles. Em comparação com o grupo de controle, os pacientes com síndrome de Down mostraram aumento significativo na interleucina 6 e no fator de necrose tumoral α (p = 0,002), ao passo que a coenzima Q10 apresentou significativa redução (p = 0,002). Além disso, o índice de massa corporal e a glicemia de jejum eram significativamente maiores nos pacientes. Houve uma correlação significativamente positiva entre os níveis de coenzima Q10 e do quociente de inteligência, bem como entre a interleucina 6 e o fator de necrose tumoral α. Conclusão: Os níveis de interleucina 6 e o fator de necrose tumoral α em crianças mais novas com síndrome de Down podem ser usados como biomarcadores, refletem o processo neurodegenerativo neles. A coenzima Q10 pode ter um papel como bom suplemento em crianças com síndrome de Down para melhorar os sintomas neurológicos.

A scoring system for the assessment of clinical severity in osteogenesis imperfecta.

INTRODUCTION: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder characterized by bone fragility and fractures. Patients with OI have clinical features that may range from mild symptoms to severe bone deformities and neonatal lethality. Numerous approaches for the classification of OI have been published. The Sillence classification is the most commonly used. In this study, we aimed at developing a more refined sub-classification by applying a proposed scoring system for the quantitative assessment of clinical severity in different types of OI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 43 patients with OI. Clinical examination and radiological studies were conducted for all patients. Cases were classified according to the Sillence classification into types I-IV. The proposed scoring system included five major criteria of high clinical value: number of fractures per year, motor milestones, long bone deformities, length/height standard deviation score (SDS), and bone mineral density (BMD). Each criterion was assigned a score from 1 to 4, and each patient was marked on a scale from 1 to 20 according to these five criteria. RESULTS: Applying the proposed clinical scoring system showed that all 11 patients with Sillence type I (100%) had a score between 6 and 10, denoting mild affection. The only patient with Sillence type II had a score of 19, denoting severe affection. In Sillence type III, 7 patients (31.8%) were moderately affected and 15 patients (68.2%) were severely affected. Almost all patients with Sillence type IV (88.9%) were moderately affected. CONCLUSIONS: Applying the proposed scoring system can quantitatively reflect the degree of clinical severity in OI patients and can be used in complement with the Sillence classification and molecular studies.