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Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common hematological disorder with a high prevalence in Saudi Arabia. Despite that, limited studies are available in our region regarding cardiovascular complications. Objectives The objective of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular complications among children with SCD. Design This was a cross-sectional study. Setting The study took place at a single tertiary-care center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods The study reviewed 126 electronic records of pediatric patients up to 16 years old diagnosed with SCD between January 2008 and December 2019 in King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Of these, 54 patients had a previous echocardiogram evaluation and were eligible for the study. Main outcomes measures The study identified cardiovascular complications in pediatric sickle cell patients. Sample size The study included a total of 54 pediatric sickle cell patients. Results The mean age was 11.9 (3.48) years, the male-to-female ratio was 2:1, the majority (94.4%) had the HbSS-HbSβ0 genotype, the mean baseline hemoglobin F (fetal hemoglobin) was 20.30 (9.03%), and the clinical severity score was severe in 19 (35.2%) and mild/moderate in 35 (64.8%) patients. Cardiovascular complications occurred in 32 (59.3%) patients. Increased systolic blood pressure was detected in 10 (18.5%) patients. Echocardiography showed left ventricular dilatation in nine (16.7%) patients, tricuspid valve insufficiency in six (11.1%) patients, mitral valve insufficiency in four (7.4%) patients, hyperdynamic left ventricle in one (1.9%) patient, and pulmonary hypertension in one (1.9%) patient. Long QTc interval was noticed in three (5.6%) and cardiomegaly was detected in 18 (33.3%) patients. Conclusion Cardiovascular complications occurred at a high frequency in our pediatric population despite high baseline hemoglobin F levels. Early evaluation and continuous monitoring are important for early intervention., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Waggass et al.)

Introduction Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening metabolic abnormality. The incidence of TLS depends on the underlying malignancy. In a recent analysis of hematological malignancy, the incidence of clinical TLS in children was 3.8%, laboratory TLS 46.2%, and hyperphosphatemia 32.7%. Sevelamer is effective for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia associated with renal failure; however, there is no clear data that it has the same effect in treating hyperphosphatemia with TLS. Methods This was a retrospective study among children aged ≤14 years with hematological malignancy who developed TLS and received sevelamer to treat hyperphosphatemia at Princess Norah Oncology Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Jeddah from January 2012 to December 2016. Results A total of 34 patients received sevelamer. The majority was male (64%), with a median age of six years. The median sevelamer dose per day was 1600 mg, while the median duration of use was two days. Phosphate level was significantly decreased at different times (24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours) during sevelamer usage, p-value <0.001. Conclusion In our study, the use of sevelamer resulted in a significant decrease in phosphate levels. This finding further consolidates the efficacy of sevelamer in treating hyperphosphatemia with TLS. However, further research into the drug's kinetics is recommended., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Al Blewi et al.)

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) infection among patients receiving cancer chemotherapy and to identify risk factors for latent TB reactivation., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Patients were surveyed for TB risk factors, their records were reviewed for previous TB infection or disease, and blood samples were collected for interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs)., Results: A total of 203 patients were included. One hundred and twenty-five were females (62%). Median age was 52 years, and mean age was significantly higher in positive IGRA patients compared to negative IGRA (57.32 vs. 47.27; p = 0.009). Twenty-five patients (12.3%) had evidence of TB infection, 16 (68%) among them had a latent TB infection, while the rest received treatment for an active TB disease. The rate of active disease among cancer patients was 8 (3.9%). Additionally, 92% (23) of those with positive IGRA had solid cancers ( p = 0.007), and all active TB cases occurred in this group of solid cancers., Conclusion: TB prevalence was higher in chemotherapy patients compared to the general Saudi population. Patients with solid tumors and older age had a greater risk of developing the infection, signifying the importance of preventing TB and malignancy coexistence by initiating screening policies in cancer patients., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Aldabbagh et al.)