Search

We report a case of a 9-month-old Arab infant, with novel OSTEM mutation and unpublished triad of osteopetrosis (OP), craniosynostosis (CS), and Chiari malformation type I (CM1). The index presented with progressive irritability, abnormal movements, following an accidental fall. The history revealed early onset of irritability, progressive visual loss, and global developmental delay, more prominent at the gross motor level and a suspected congenital cytomegalovirus infection. The pregnancy was uneventful with subsequent unremarkable delivery. The parents are Arabs' first cousins with no apparent symptoms or signs of bone disease. Three dimensional brain computed tomography (CT) showed ventriculomegaly, thick calvaria, and CS of the coronal and sagittal sutures. Patient had signs of left lower motor neuron facial palsy, and CT of petrous bones confirms the presence of osteopetrotic petrous with slim mastoid portions of the facial nerve canals both sides. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed CM1. Skeletal survey showed sclerotic skeleton. He needed ventriculoperitoneal shunt and died at 18 months of age. Molecular testing for OSTEM1 gene revealed novel homozygous mutation that segregated from his parents. This novel OSTEM1 gene novel mutation and the combination of OP, infantile CS, and CM1 is to our knowledge never been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research about bullying among school pupils in the Arab/Muslim population is scarce. This study evaluates the characteristics of bullying and its impact among school pupils in Oman via cross-sectional survey among eighth grade school pupils (n = 1,229) during the academic year 2006-2007. The participants were selected using stratified random selection among 6 administrative divisions of one the governorates in the country. Data were collected using self-completed structured questionnaires. This study found similar percentages of males and females (76%) have experienced one form of bullying, and the majority of the incidents (80%) occurred in the vicinity of the school. In almost half of the cases, the bullying was initiated by a student of the same age or older than the victim. The most common type of bullying encountered in this study was verbal (47.7%), followed by misuse (45.9%), physical (43.9%), and, finally, social isolation/exclusion (22.5%). Although the failure of an academic year was uncommon among victims of bullying, the number of pupils who missed 4-6 and ≥ 7 school days was higher among bullied pupils. If this study will withstand further research, educational initiatives are needed to mitigate the rate of bullying in Oman.