Rubens Cat

Imunoglobulina endovenosa em crianças com síndrome de Guillain-Barré

We report our experience with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasmapheresis and supportive care in 13 patients with the Guillain-Barré syndrome. Seven of 13 patients received IVIG, 2 plasmapheresis and 4 supportive care. At 15th day after IVIG administration, all patients in this group had improved at least one disability grade. In the plasmapheresis group, 1 improved at 5th day after the procedure. Two of the 4 patients that received supportive care improved at 20th day of evaluation. In the IVIG group, the final scores were lower and had no relapses. These results suggest faster clinical improvement with IVIG when compared with supportive measures.

Insuficiência aguda hepática associada ao ácido valpróico na infância: relato de três casos

We report the cases of three epileptic children who developed hepatotoxicity induced by valproic acid. Two patients had developmental delay. Including the one who died, all patients were receiving polytherapy (carbamazepine in two and phenobarbital in one). The patients age ranged from 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 1 month. The onset of hepatic complications occurred within 6 months of valproate therapy in two patients and 12 months in one. All patients developed the classical clinical signs of hepatotoxicity. Vomiting, edema and jaundice were the initial symptoms. Fever occurred in two patients. The serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase were mildly elevated with a maximum of 194 IU. The bilirubin levels ranged from 5.5 to 19.8 mg%. Two patients recovered clinically and showed normalization of the laboratory abnormalities and one had fatal course. The hepatotoxicity must be considered as a side effect of valproic acid mainly in children under two years age, with polytherapy regimen and neurologic damage. The hepatic insufficiency can be reversible.We report the cases of three epileptic children who developed hepatotoxicity induced by valproic acid. Two patients had developmental delay. Including the one who died, all patients were receiving polytherapy (carbamazepine in two and phenobarbital in one). The patients age ranged from 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 1 month. The onset of hepatic complications occurred within 6 months of valproate therapy in two patients and 12 months in one. All patients developed the classical clinical signs of hepatotoxicity. Vomiting, edema and jaundice were the initial symptoms. Fever occurred in two patients. The serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase were mildly elevated with a maximum of 194 IU. The bilirubin levels ranged from 5.5 to 19.8 mg%. Two patients recovered clinically and showed normalization of the laboratory abnormalities and one had fatal course. The hepatotoxicity must be considered as a side effect of valproic acid mainly in children under two years age, with polytherapy regimen and neurologic damage. The hepatic insufficiency can be reversible.

The frequency of βS-globin haplotypes in the state of Paraná, Brazil, and clinical manifestations of sickle cell anemia

Introduction: Haplotypes in the β S-globin cluster are named according to their geographical origin as Central African Republic (CAR), Benin (BEN), Senegal (SEN), Cameroon (CAM) and Arab-Indian. They are considered to have influence on the diversity of clinical manifestations in sickle cell anemia (HbSS). Objective: To identify β S haplotypes and genotypes, their frequencies and their probable association with clinical presentation in patients with sickle cell anemia in the state of Parana. Method: Longitudinal and descriptive study for the definition of haplotypes, and associative study for analysis of their influence on clinical severity. By polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), polymorphic regions of 100 HbSS patients were identified. The association of haplotypes with clinical manifestations was analyzed in a subset of 52 pediatric patients. Results: In the state of Parana, haplotype frequencies were: CAR: 76% BEN: 17.5% SEN: 0.5%, CAM: 0.5% and Atypical (Atp): 5.5%. Genotype frequencies were: CAR/CAR: 62%; CAR/BEN: 20%; CAR/Atp: 6%; CAR/ SEN: 1%; CAR/CAM: 1%; BEN/BEN: 6%; BEN/Atp: 3%, Atp/Atp: 1%. The average percentage of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in CAR/CAR and CAR/BEN patients was higher than in other studies. Clinical manifestations were not influenced by β S haplotypes. Dactylitis and splenic sequestration occurred more frequently in children below 3 years of age. Conclusion: In this study, no association was found between haplotypes and clinical manifestations, probably given the almost absolute predominance of CAR and BEN haplotypes. However, this fact alerts to the possible influence of other polymorphisms and miscegenation in the Brazilian population.