The variant translocation of ABL1 gene t(2;9)(q21;q34) in a childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We present the case of the childhood ALL that was identified by the translocation of the ABL1 gene to the q21 band of chromosome 2 without t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation. The observation of a poor clinical course of the case may contribute to explanation of the action of t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation, of which poor prognostic action is known on ALL's, in terms of ABL1 gene, independent of the BCR gene. On the other hand, the prognostic significance of this variant ABL1 translocation detection, which is very rarely observed, will cast a light on future cases (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 11).

Neonatal outcomes of pregnancy complicated by idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with the prognosis of newborns born to mothers with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and to compare the infants with/without thrombocytopenia in terms of maternal and neonatal characteristics. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the charts of 29 parturients with ITP and their newborns who were born between January 1998 and December 2008. RESULT: A total of 16 (55%) gravidas had been diagnosed with ITP before pregnancy and 13 (45%) were diagnosed during pregnancy. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 21 gravidas. In total, 17 (58%) gravidas received treatment to increase the platelet count. The majority of deliveries (72.5%) were vaginal. The infant platelet counts at birth ranged from 20 to 336 x 10(9) per liter. None of the neonates had complications attributable to the mode of delivery. Normal platelet counts were determined in 15 newborns, whereas 14 infants had thrombocytopenia at birth. Three (10.3%) neonates had mild, four neonates (13.7%) had moderate and seven neonates (24.1%) had severe thrombocytopenia. The age of the mothers having infants with thrombocytopenia was significantly higher (30+/-5.3 vs 25.3+/-3.8 years), most of the infants (10/14 (71%)) were males (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Pregnancy complicated with ITP generally has a good outcome. Although ITP in pregnancy carries a low risk, careful observation is required for the newborn of gravidas with ITP even when the infant has no bleeding complications at delivery, and infants may require treatment for thrombocytopenia.

Childhood leukaemia: experiences of children and attitudes of parents on dental care.

Parental perceptions in the importance of dental care and preferences with regard to its provision while profiling the level of dental health knowledge of parents of leukaemic children were elicited. The setting was the Paediatric Dental Care Unit located in Medical Faculty. Data were collected by means of a structured interview, employing a questionnaire. Level of knowledge on both dental facts and preventive dentistry of the participants was insufficient. Major source of dental care was the resident paediatric dentist both in prior to (78.2%) and following (100%) diagnosis. Tooth extraction (17.6%) was the only treatment provided prior to diagnosis. Following diagnosis, 60 (69%) of these children had received operative dental treatment. The source of preventive advice was inconsistent. Parents appeared to place a high level of importance on their children's dental care and the preference for this to be provided within the hospitals in which the child has been treated. There is clearly a need to establish dental care units in hospitals in which treatment of childhood malignancy is provided. The provision for the future should be the continuous education of dentists, physicians and nurses who work in hospitals and public health services.