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Febrile convulsion (FC) is the most common seizure disorder in young children. Different predisposing factors have been suggested to enhance the susceptibility to febrile seizure and its recurrence. The main objective of this study was to identify the adverse effect of electrolytes disturbance in FC and its recur-rence. The medical records of 175 children with convulsive disorders were reviewed. Patients were divided into 3 groups. Group A (n=71) with simple febrile convulsion (FC) and group B (n=54) with recurrent FCs. Fifty children (group C) with non-FC served as control. Serum sodium and calcium concentrations were significantly lower in groups A and B compared to the control group. Serum sodium level was not significantly different between group A and B patients (134.4 vs. 134.7 mEq/l) but was significantly lower in group A than the control group (P= 0.014). Serum calcium concentration did not differ among the 3 groups. Minor abnormal levels of serum sodium concentration were detected in children with febrile convulsions. Thus, routine serum electrolytes screening are not recommended in febrile seizure.

Background: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the most common congenital urinary tract abnormality in children. Renal parenchymal damage is the most devastating complication of severe undiagnosed VUR. Different diagnostic biomarkers have been introduced as alternatives for radiologic evaluation in these patients. This review article aimed to increase the knowledge about the role of urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) in children affected by primary VUR and renal parenchymal damage. Methods: A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Ovid was conducted in September 2022 to retrieve studies that investigated the correlation between uNGAL or uNGAL/Cr excretion and primary VUR in male/female patients younger than 18 years of age. Patients with secondary VUR, age older than 18 years, infectious or inflammatory disorders, obstructive uropathies, and acute or chronic kidney diseases were excluded. Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts of the search results and then assessed the full texts selected from the pertinent studies. Results: Eighteen research articles with a total sample of 699 patients were found to measure uNGAL in VUR or renal scarring. UNGAL or uNGAL/Cr had increased excretion in the majority of children with primary VUR or RPD, with a positive or no correlation to the severity of VUR. Conclusions: Several studies addressed uNGAL and uNGAL/Cr as putative biomarkers for the prediction of VUR or reflux-associated RPD.

Introduction: Steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) is a difficult and troublesome presentation of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) in children, with complicated management and increased morbidity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the predictive clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with SDNS, for parents counseling, appropriate management and improving outcome. Patients and Methods: A total of 374 children with steroid sensitive INS were evaluated in two groups as steroid dependent (group 1=199) and non-steroid dependent (group 2= 175) INS. SDNS was defined as ≥2 relapses during steroid reducing treatment or 15 days after discontinuation of corticosteroids. Results: Mean age at presentation was significantly lower in children with SDNS than those without steroid dependency (P=0.022). Diagnostic age less than two years (P=0.016), total relapses (P

Background: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is one of the most common glomerular diseases in children with different pathological types and different responses to corticosteroids. A definitive diagnosis is essential for planning the treatment and determining the prognosis of these patients and currently, kidney biopsy is the only method for definitive diagnosis. However, this is an invasive procedure. In addition, in some cases, the biopsy is contraindicated or tissue obtained on biopsy is insufficient and may not represent the underlying disease. According to the recent hypothesis about the role of circulating permeability factors in the pathogenesis of INS, urine protein analysis as a noninvasive method to determine the specific biomarkers of the disease is of great interest to nephrologists and can be useful. Methods: In this case − control study, we analyzed urinary CD80 (uCD80) levels in 51 patients with INS using a special CD80 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and were compared between different groups of patients. Results: The highest urine CD80/creatinine ratio was found in patients with active minimal change disease and steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome in the relapse stage of the disease. Conclusion: A significant level of uCD80 is correlated with better renal function and a more favorable response to steroids in patients with INS. Therefore, it can be concluded that a high level of uCD80 is correlated with a good prognosis in these patients.

The incidence of obesity has increased globally in children and adults. In addition, renal dysfunction is an important complication of childhood obesity. This study was performed to identify the diagnostic value of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), a renal injury marker, for the early determination of renal damage in childhood obesity. Totally, 115 obese children and 115 healthy normal weight controls were enrolled in a cross-sectional case–control study. Urine NAG was measured in sample urine and normalized by urine creatinine (CR). In addition, correlation of urine NAG with other variables such as blood pressure (BP), blood glucose, and urine albumin was evaluated. Mean systolic BP (P

Introduction: Nephrolithiasis has been increasingly recognized in recent years. Urine metabolic abnormality is the main cause of renal stone in children. Therefore, identification and medical treatment of metabolic abnormalities have been suggested as an alternative approach to surgical treatments. Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of urine alkalinization and metabolic management in children with renal stone. Patients and Methods: A total of 300 children (from 408 renal clinics) with nephrolithiasis were enrolled in this study. All of them were treated by supportive managements, including urine alkalinization and specific medical treatment of underlying metabolic abnormality. Improvement was defined as stone resolution, stone passage or decrease of stone dimension. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 28.7 ± 2.6 months (1-150 months). About 78.8% of patients had metabolic abnormality, of which, hypercalciuria (51.7%) and hypocitraturia (33.4%) were the most common causes, respectively. Resolution of renal stone occurred in 89.7% of patients after one year follow up, more in children less than 5 years (P=0.003), and stones smaller than 5 mm (P

Background: Preterm birth occurs in a large number of pregnancies, and its incidence has been reported to be on the rise. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in the premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The present study aimed to determine the predictive factors, clinical courses, and outcomes of AKI in the neonates with the clinical and radiological manifestations of RDS. Methods: Medical records of 84 premature neonates with RDS were evaluated in two groups of case (with AKI) (n=34) and control (without AKI) (n=50). Diagnosis of AKI was based on the increased level of serum creatinine (>1.5 mg/dL) after the third day of birth or increasing serum creatinine level. In addition, blood pressure and laboratory findings, including complete blood count, serum electrolytes, and urine volume, were compared between the two groups. Results: Mean age of the infants with AKI was 5.41±3.29 days, and the majority of the patients had nonoliguric renal failure. Among the samples, 23.5% died, and 76.5% were discharged without renal impairment. Birth weight, systolic blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, and pH on admission had significant correlations with the presence of AKI. Moreover, birth weight was observed to be a relatively accurate predictive factor for AKI (AUC=0.08; 95% CI=0.68-0.91), with 73.5% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Conclusion: According to the results, AKI was more common in the low-birth-weight infants with severe RDS compared to the other subjects

Thymus species are well known to have significant amount of phenolic compounds and exhibit strong antioxidant activities. This study is designed to analyze the essential oils of two Iranian Thymus species, (T. kotschyanus Boiss. et Hohen and T. pubescense Boiss. et Kotschy ex Celak) obtained by hydrodistillation of aerial part of this plants, using GC-FID and GC/MS and evaluate the in-vitro antioxidant activities in two quantitative methods (namely DPPH. and ABTS.+ assay) to determine the total phenolic content of the species (assayed by colorimetric techniques) and to study the possible compositionantioxidant activity relationship. The major aroma constitutes in the essential oil of T. pubescense were found to be thymol (38.7 %), γ-terpinene (7.5 %), p-cymene (5.5 %), α-terpenyl acetate (3.8 %) and β-bisabolene (3.7 %) while in the essential oil of T. kotschyanus, -terpineol (16.9 %), 1,8-cineol (14.4 %), linalool (9.6 %), thymol (7.2 %) and geranyl acetate (5.4 %) were the main compounds. Both of the tested essential oils exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity. T. pubescense showed more activity in both DPPH. [IC50= 285.2 (236.5-344.0) μg/mL] and ABTS.+ methods [IC50= 1.956 (1.810-2.113) μg/mL], as well as total phenolic content of T. pubescence [70254 ± 0.0049 μg/mg] was found to be slightly higher than T. kotschyanus [62933 ± 0.0026 μg/mg].

Hypertension in newborn infants, particularly those requiring intensive care, is becoming increasingly recognized, with prevalence of 0.2-3%. Recent studies have established normative tables for blood pressure (BP) in both term and pre-term infants based on the gestational age, postnatal age, gender, weight and height, identifying the neonates at increased risk for early-onset cardiovascular disease. Common causes of neonatal hypertension include thromboembolic complications secondary to umbilical artery catheterization, congenital renal structural malformation, renovascular disease, aortic coarctation, as well as acute kidney injury and certain medications. A careful diagnostic evaluation should lead to identification of the underlying cause of hypertension in most infants. Treatment options should be tailored to the severity; and underlying cause of hypertension, including intravenous and/or oral therapy. This review summarizes recent work in these areas, focusing on optimal BP measurement, definition, evaluation and management of hypertension as well as advances in drug therapy of neonatal hypertension.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common serious bacterial infection in early life. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment prevent complications such as hypertension, proteinuria and end stage renal disease. A computerized search of MEDLINE, Embase and other databases was done to find the latest results about the treatment and prevention in pediatric UTI. Randomized control trials, systematic reviews and original articles were assessed. Search terms were "UTI, treatment, prophylaxis, prevention, and children". All children with complicated or simple UTI were included in our search study from neonatal period to late childhood and medical aspects of treatment were reviewed. Recently, treatment approaches have been changed by simplification of drug administration. Oral treatment is recommended especially in older infants and children instead of strict intravenous treatment and patient admission. In addition, prophylactic treatment becomes easier and limited to certain cases. In this article, we review the recent information and approaches in this setting.

Background: Cyperus rotundus L. belongs to Cyperaceae family, which grows in around of Iran and its roots with other herbs uses as antiflatulant and nervous tonic. Objectives: Identification of chemical components of essential oil and antimicrobial effects of rhizomes from Cyperus rotundus L. Methods: The roots and rhizomes of C. rotundus were purchased from Tehran herb shops in June 2007. After confirmation, the essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and was subjected to GC/MS. The antimicrobial effects of the root extract were studied on Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium herebaceum. Results: The major components of the essential oil were found -cyperone (32.0%) and spathulenol (11/0%). The study of antimicrobial activity showed that the methanolic extracts have effects on Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus, but any effects on Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium herebaceum were not showed. Conclusion: 25 Components (91.2% of the oil) were identified, totally. Sesquiterpenoides are major components (0.82%), and then monoterpenoids (8.8%). -cyperone as major compound of our oil, was identified in the other research on oil of C. rotundus. Inhibitory concentrations for Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus were 31.25 and 125 mg/ml.

Background: The seeds of Echium amoenum (Boraginaceae) are used in Iranian Traditional Medicine as diuretic, analgesic, hypotensive and diaphoretic. Objective: This study was designed to identification and quantification of composition of fatty acids in the seeds oil of E. amoenum. Methods: The seeds of the plant were extracted with n-hexane. After evaporating under reduced pressure, oil was get. Methanolysis of the oil glyceride was carried out in KOH medium and BF3, under reflux condition for 30 min. The esters passed into the upper hexane layer, then analyzed by GC-MS. Results: The seeds of E. amoenum revealed the presence of four fatty acids including one saturated and three unsaturated. Conclusion: The unsaturated fatty acids were present in much greater proportion than saturated ones. Linolenic acid was found to be major unsaturated fatty acid and the palmitic acid as predominant saturated acid.

Background: Parsley (Petroselinum hortense Hoffm.) is one of the most famous medical and nutritional herb. Fruits of parsley traditionally used as diuretic, appetizer, vasodilator,... with out any side effects. Also, it is used in cosmetic industry as a deodorant to cure halitosis and in nutritional industry. Objective: Study of microscopical characteristic, extraction and identification of the essential oil of the chemical composition of Parsley seed, is the main aims of this study. Methods: For this research, fruits have seen purchased from the market of Tehran and Identified. Microscopical characteristic will be done using light microscope and extraction of the essential oil will be done with hydro-distillation method using Clevenger apparatus and then identified after GC/MS findings. Results: Endosperm containing crystals of calcium oxalate and oil spots, parts of compact cells of Endocarp, a group of fibro vascular, Epiderm tissue containing fragment of a vitta, were the most fragments of the powdered seed. The total amount of the Essential oil was 1% V/W and the most analyzed compounds were: 1,8 cineol (59.2%)-- phellandren (18.6%)- -pinene (7.6%). Conclusion: There was no difference between the microscopical characters of the powdered seeds of Iranian cultivated Parsley with the cultivated specimen in other country. The absence of two compounds Apiol (aborticide agent) and Miristicin (agent causing euphoria) in Iranian cultivated Parsley is a significant safe character for the using of the Iranian specimen in food and pharmaceutical industries.

A 6.5 yr old girl was admitted with a category of clinical signs and symptoms including recurrent gross hematuria, ab-dominal pain, and fever. After different examinations including genetic analysis, the disease was diagnosed as Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). It is suggested to consider FMF as a rare cause of recurrent gross hematuria, which is re-sponsive to colchicine treatment.

Background: There is an increasing attention to and usage of herbal drugs around the world. Medicinal products containing senna herb are very popular herbal remedies. In order to assess the quality of Iranian herbal products, as a part of national effort to achieve profile of quality of pharmaceuticals, this study was designed to evaluate the quality of products containing senna herb. Method: Samples were purchased directly from drugstores in Tehran in 2002. The comparative study was conducted according to pharmacopoeial procedures. Also Iranian products were compared to appropriate forign known-brands. Conclusion: Some defects were observed in Iranian products in respects to uniformity of contents and weights, and even content of the dosage forms. But in total, most of the products were found to be acceptable and at appropriate quality.

Backgrond: Thymus daenensis Celak. subsp. daenensis is one of the endogenous Thymus species in Iran. The plant is traditionally used as carminative, digestive, antispasmodic, antitussive and expectorant in Iran. Objective: To study the Composition of the Volatile Oil of Thymus daenensis Celak. subsp. Daenensis. Method: In this study, the hydrodistilled oil of the aerial parts of T. daenensis subsp. daenensis was analyzed using GC/FID and GC/MS. The result indicates that the oil contains over twenty-six components (99.7%). The main components were thymol (74.7%), p-cymene (6.5%), β-caryophyllene (3.8%) and methyl carvacrol (3.6%). Conclusion: This species has rich in phenolic substances specially thymol which might considered as a substitute for Thymus vulgaris.

Nephrolithiasis, obstructive renal failure, essential hypertension, and chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis have been considered as the renal complications of hyperuricemia. Massive proteinuria has been rarely reported as the primary manifestation of increased serum uric acid. This is the report of a child presented with proteinuira, hypertension, and glomerular scelrosis secondary to hypouricosuric hyperuricemia, who was treated by uric acid lowering management.

Volatile oil and fatty acid compositions of Nigella sativa L. ( Ranunculaceae ) seeds grown in Iran determined by GC and GC/MS. Eight fatty acids (99.5%) and thirty- two compounds (86.7%) have been identified in the fixed and volatile oils, respectively. The main fatty acids of the fixed oil were linoleic acid (55.6%), oleic acid (23.4%), and palmitic acid (12.5%). The major compounds of the volatile oil were trans-anethole (38.3%), p-cymene (14.8%), limonene (4.3%), and carvone (4.0%).

Background: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is one of the most common glomerular diseases in children with different pathological types and different responses to corticosteroids. A definitive diagnosis is essential for planning the treatment and determining the prognosis of these patients and currently, kidney biopsy is the only method for definitive diagnosis. However, this is an invasive procedure. In addition, in some cases, the biopsy is contraindicated or tissue obtained on biopsy is insufficient and may not represent the underlying disease. According to the recent hypothesis about the role of circulating permeability factors in the pathogenesis of INS, urine protein analysis as a noninvasive method to determine the specific biomarkers of the disease is of great interest to nephrologists and can be useful. Methods: In this case − control study, we analyzed urinary CD80 (uCD80) levels in 51 patients with INS using a special CD80 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and were compared between different groups of patients. Results: The highest urine CD80/creatinine ratio was found in patients with active minimal change disease and steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome in the relapse stage of the disease. Conclusion: A significant level of uCD80 is correlated with better renal function and a more favorable response to steroids in patients with INS. Therefore, it can be concluded that a high level of uCD80 is correlated with a good prognosis in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different radiologic and radionuclide cystography studies have been suggested to detect and follow up vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children, with conflicting results. Conventional voiding cystourethrography seems the preferred method to evaluate urinary tract abnormality, voiding dysfunction, and accurate grading of VUR. However, radioisotopic cystography is a preferred method to evaluate VUR in women, patients without voiding dysfunction, and re-evaluate VUR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]