Moroccan Child Research Articles

Anthropometric Profile, Overweight/Obesity Prevalence, and Socioeconomic Impact in Moroccan Children Aged 6-12 Years Old with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In addition to the inherent challenges of their condition, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are also susceptible to the global obesity epidemic. However, concerning the prevalence of obesity within the Moroccan ASD pediatric population, data remain scarce. A total of 258 children (boys = 195) aged 6 to 12 years old (mean = 9.4 ± 1.4) diagnosed with ASD participated in this study. Besides the body mass and height, four significant anthropometric markers for assessing obesity were examined: body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Each anthropometric marker was categorized into one of three cardiometabolic risk levels based on the Z-scores and their corresponding percentiles. The distribution was as follows: low risk (≤84th percentile), high risk (85th-94th percentile), and very high risk (≥95th percentile). Subsequently, a multiple regression analysis was employed to develop an algorithm that generates a composite risk score. This score incorporates all the anthropometric variables simultaneously, while also weighting their individual contributions to the cardiometabolic risk. Children with ASD exhibit an anthropometric profile that markedly increases their susceptibility to cardiometabolic issues. While roughly 11% of the general Moroccan child population is overweight or obese, this figure soars to nearly 60% among children with ASD when considering the central adiposity markers. Furthermore, children from middle-class socioeconomic backgrounds display a more than threefold greater risk of developing overweight or obesity compared to their counterparts from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. This study has, for the first time, provided an up-to-date overview of the cardiometabolic risk in Moroccan children with ASD using traditional anthropometric measurements. The primary risk factor is clearly linked to central (abdominal) adiposity, which is recognized as the most deleterious. This study highlights the need to include general and central obesity markers. This study underscores the importance of incorporating both general and central adiposity markers for a more comprehensive assessment, and it emphasizes the need for closer monitoring within this high-risk population.

Juvenile dermatomyositis with Anti-SAE antibodies in a Moroccan child associated with pseudo-angioedema: a case report

BackgroundJuvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) is the leading cause of non-infectious inflammatory myopathy in children. It is a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases characterized by a variable combination of muscular, dermatological, and visceral involvement. Myositis-specific autoantibodies help define homogeneous subgroups with common clinical characteristics and prognoses. Anti-SAE (small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 (SUMO-1) activating enzyme) antibodies are among the most recently discovered specific autoantibodies. The presence of these antibodies is very rare, making it challenging to define clinical features and prognosis in the juvenile form. We report the first case of an African patient with juvenile dermatomyositis and positive anti-SAE antibodies.Case ReportA 5-year-3-month-old Moroccan boy presented to the pediatric emergency department with dysphagia that had been evolving for two days, preceded two months earlier by facial erythema associated with fatigue, lower limb pain, difficulty walking, and progressive inflammatory polyarthralgia. On admission, the child had a heliotrope rash with predominant pseudo-angioedema on the lips, periungual telangiectasia, and Gottron’s papules over the bilateral interphalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints. The patient had a more pronounced proximal muscle weakness in the lower limbs. He had no urticaria, fever, arthritis, calcinosis, cutaneous ulcers, or lipodystrophy. The Joint examination was normal, as was the pleuropulmonary examination. The electroneuromyography showed myogenic changes in all four limbs. Laboratory findings showed elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase and a mild inflammatory syndrome. The electrocardiogram was normal. The anti-SAE antibodies were positive. The boy was diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis. He received methylprednisolone bolus therapy followed by oral prednisone. The latter was gradually tapered in combination with weekly intramuscular methotrexate. As a result, dysphagia disappeared within 48 h. After two weeks, there was an improvement in the muscular score and a significant regression of facial pseudo-angioedema.ConclusionWe report the first African patient with anti-SAE autoantibody-positive JDM. He had a typical dermatological manifestation of JDM associated with pseudo-angioedema predominant on the lips; a rarely reported sign in DM and JDM patients. The patient responded well to corticosteroid therapy and methotrexate.

Novel HSPG2 Gene Mutation Causing Schwartz-Jampel Syndrome in a Moroccan Family: A Literature Review.

Schwartz-Jampel syndrome type 1 (SJS1) is a rare autosomal recessive musculoskeletal disorder caused by various mutations in the HSPG2 gene encoding the protein perlecan, a major component of basement membranes. We report a novel splice mutation HSPG2(NM_005529.7):c.3888 + 1G > A and a known point mutation HSPG2(NM_005529.7):c.8464G > A, leading to the skipping of exon 31 and 64 in mRNA, respectively, in a Moroccan child with clinical features suggestive of SJS1 and carrying two compound heterozygous mutations in the HSPG2 gene detected by next-generation sequencing. Both parents harboured one mutation. Real-time and immunostaining analysis revealed down-regulation of the HSPG2 gene and a mild reduction in the protein in the muscle, respectively. We reviewed all genetically characterized SJS1 cases reported in literature, confirming the clinical hallmarks and unspecific instrumental data in our case. The genotype-phenotype correlation is very challenging in SJS1. Therapy is mainly focused on symptom management and several drugs have been administered with different efficacy.Here, we report the second case with spontaneous improvement.

Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis in Moroccan Child: A Case Report

Background: Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare but not uncommon disease; it showed worldwide distribution either familial or sporadic, the most reported cases in Europe, especially in Turkey. The presence of round shaped little bodies containing concentric calcareous lamellas in pulmonary alveolus is the hallmark of the disease. With this study, we report a case of PAM in moroccan child, who complained of class 2 exertional dyspnoea with no significant personal or family history. On physical examination, there was no evidence of clubbing or cyanosis of the extremities. On auscultation, fine crackles were present bilaterally. Chest X-ray showed innumerable small dense nodules diffusely involving both lungs. High resolution CT scan showed extensive micro nodules, areas of diffuse ground glass attenuation, septal thickening and in some cases black pleural lines. The diagnosis confirmed by opened right lung biopsy and Broncho alveolar lavage, biopsy showed numerous lamellar (Calculi).

Stochastic Pareto diffusion process : Statistical analysis and computational issues. Simulation and Application

Abstract We propose a novel diffusion process having a mean function equal to the Pareto probability density function up to a constant of proportionality. We examine the probabilistic properties of the proposed model. Then, referring to the problem of statistical inference, we describe the approach employed to tackle the issue of obtaining parameter estimates by maximizing the likelihood function based on discrete sampling. This estimation reduces to solving a set of complex equations, that is accomplished using the simulated annealing algorithm. A simulation study is also given to validate the methodology presented. Finally, using a real-world example of the Moroccan child mortality rate, we obtain the fits and forecasts by employing the suggested stochastic process and nonlinear regression model.

Contribution of School Theater to the fortification of the cultural Identity of the Moroccan child.

we seek to identify the contribution of school theater to the fortification of the cultural identity )citizenship values : Doing Your Best, Freedom, Honesty and Trustworthiness, Integrity, Respect, Responsibility...) of Moroccan children by studying the subject of globalization and monitoring its effects on cultural identity, as well as the profound effects that this phenomenon has in its various manifestations on cultural identity, because the cultural and identity dimension of globalization is one of the most dangerous dimensions of globalization, It means spreading the values, principles and norms of a culture and replacing it with other cultures, which means the disappearance of national values and cultures and their replacement by the values and cultures of the most advanced countries. This negatively affects the national cultural identity of our children, which has become threatened by globalization, which promotes its culture and patterns of behavior contrary to our Arab personality through different media, with the aim of stereotyping the behaviors and culture of recipient of the category of children in all societies and to submit them to the values and models of behavior that prevail in other cultures of modern societies, thus making it necessary for the Arab States in general and Morocco in particular to seek to activate the elements of national identity (language, religion, cultural heritage and common history...) and to strengthen them by using the most effective and efficient media. Above all art, from which we mention school theater as the most important means of children's culture because it brings together all the educational, cultural and artistic elements at the same time and because it is an art with which the child interacts and experiences his events directly. We tried to explore the depths of this subject by answering the following questions: -How was the school theater used to protect the cultural identity of the child in certain Western countries in the light of the effects and extensions of globalization? Have we benefited in Morocco from these experiences? KEY WORDS: SCHOOL THEATER, CHILD LITERATURE, TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION, EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, IDENTITY, VALUES.

Hydroa vacciniforme associated with EBV infection in a Moroccan child

Hydroa vacciniforme (HV) is a very rare photosensitivity disorder of childhood characterized by pruritic or painful vesicles in photo-distributed areas. We report a case of a seven-year-old male presenting with recurrent scars on the face with significant impact on psychological health. The history of the patient’s disease went back to when he was five years old and began to show eruptions on the face and forearms associated with a burning sensation, evolving recurrently with each exposure to the sun. Later, these lesions became confluent and crusted, then detached, leaving residual scars. A clinical examination revealed varioliform scars on the face, with scaly and crusted lesions on the nose and auricle (Figs. 1a – 1c). The rest of the examination revealed no adenopathy or organomegaly. Blood count, lymphocyte circulating levels, and immunophenotyping were normal and EBV serology was positive, with IgG+ and IgM-. The child refused to have a skin biopsy performed and did not return for another consultation.

Moyamoya Syndrome Associated with Polycystic Kidney Disease in a Moroccan Child: A Rare Case

Moyamoya disease is a chronic and occlusive cerebro-vascular disease characterized by bilateral steno-occlusive changes in the internal carotid artery and its proximal branches and an abnormal vascular network at the base of the brain. Polycystic Kidney disease (PKD) is known as one of the underlying diseases of moyamoya syndrome which was rarely reported. Only 3 cases of moyamoya syndrome associated with PKD have been reported in the literature. We report here another case of moyamoya syndrome associated with PKD in a Moroccan child. Case Report: 7-year-old girl, was born of a consanguineous marriage, operated at the age of 7 months for bilateral inguinal hernias with a history of polycystic kidney and liver disease, discovered at D15 of life, complicated by arterial hypertension well-balanced under dual therapy, chronic renal insufficiency under conservative treatment and portal hypertension with hypersplenism and esophageal varices grade II. Admitted for a partial afebrile seizure (left hemibody), tonic-clonic associated with intensive headache. Angio-MRI showed features of Moya-Moya syndrome with amputation of the left sylvian artery, and slender aspect of some portions of the right sylvian artery. Treatment was symptomatic with benign evolution without surgery. Conclusion: This is the first report of a Moroccan person with PKD associated with moyamoya syndrome

A novel nonsense MPS VI mutation in a south Moroccan patient

A 12-years-old, Moroccan child with a history of skeletal deformities, gait disorder, Short stature, valvulopathy, facial dysmorphy, corneal opacity, umbilical hernia, and hepatomegaly. He has onset from birth, delayed first milestones (setting, gait, and language) and severe dysostosis multiplex. Elevated urinary glycosaminoglycans concentration was found, enzymatic assays show a low level of ARSB, genetic testing confirmed a diagnosis of Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI with a novel mutation in ARSB gene. There is a homozygous frameshift nonsense mutation by two thymine deletion in 770 and 771 codons (c. [770_771del TT]; [770_771del TT]). This is the first case and mutation of Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI detected in south Morocco. Keywords: : mucopolysaccharidosis VI; ARSB gene; nonsense mutation; ERT

Identification of a novel LAMA2 c.2217G\u2009>\u2009A, p.(Trp739*) mutation in a Moroccan patient with congenital muscular dystrophy: a case report

BackgroundMerosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic condition caused by deleterious mutations in the LAMA2 gene encoding the laminin-α2 chain. It is the most frequent subtype of congenital muscular dystrophies (CMDs) characterized by total laminin-α2 deficiency with muscle weakness at birth or in the first six months of life. To the best of our knowledge, this study reports the first molecular diagnosis and genetic defect of this heterogeneous form of CMD performed in a Moroccan medical genetic center using next-generation sequencing (NGS). It allows us to expand the mutational spectrum of the LAMA2 gene.Case presentationWe report the case of a female Moroccan child with clinical and paraclinical features in favor of a CMD. She has global congenital hypotonia with generalized muscle weakness, psychomotor retardation, increased serum creatine kinase, and normal brain scan at the age of six months. Targeted NGS leads to the identification of a novel homozygous nonsense mutation c.2217G > A, p.(Trp739*) in the exon 16 of LAMA2. Sanger sequencing confirmed this mutation in the affected patient and showed that her parents are heterozygous carriers.ConclusionsA modern genetic analysis by NGS improves the genetic diagnosis pathway for adequate genetic counseling of affected families more precisely. An accession number from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) ClinVar database was retrieved for this novel LAMA2 mutation.

Pulmonary Hydatidosis in a Moroccan Child

Pulmonary Hydatidosis in a Moroccan Child

Subconjunctival Loa Loa Worm: a First Native Case Report in a Moroccan Child

The loiasis is limited to, Western and Central Africa. Characteristic clinical features include Calabar swellings and subconjunctival migration of the adult parasite. Severe complications of infection, including cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, and fatal encephalitis, are rare, but do occur. So far, all Moroccan cases are seen in adult travelers. We report the first case of autochthone loiasis in a Moroccan child.

Technological Implication and Pedagogical Effects of Reading Difficulties on the Linguistic Achievements of the Moroccan Child for Some Primary Schools

According to Western countries, dyslexia suffer from a high proportion of 3% to 6% of school-aged children, and the prevalence rate is higher among boys than girls, which is an indication of an increase among men with dyslexia. The percentage of people with dyslexia varies from one language to another, the percentage being higher in China because of the difficulties of the Chinese language and the reliance on images and symbolic forms. Through a methodology based on new technologies in a pedagogical framework, and we were able to study various statistics, and it seems it is weaker in Japan where language is easier and more compared to dyslexia between England and Germany. Among children of the same age, gender, and level of education (grade 2), the percentage in England ranged from 40% to 60%, compared to 17% in Germany, and decreased progressively with the school scale, reaching 8% because of the ease of German compared to English. For Arab societies, there are currently no statistics available in Arab countries show the number of people with dyslexia among children or adults.

A Homozygous RAG1 Gene Mutation in a Case of Combined Immunodeficiency: Clinical, Molecular, and Computational Analysis

Background: The recombination-activating gene 1 and 2 (RAG1/RAG2) proteins are essential to initiate the V(D)J recombination process, the result is a diverse repertoire of antigen receptor genes and the establishment of the adaptive immunity. RAG1 mutations can lead to multiple forms of combined immunodeficiency. Methods: In this report, whole exome sequencing was performed in a Moroccan child suffering from combined immunodeficiency, with T and B lymphopenia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Results: After filtering data and Sanger sequencing validation, one homozygous mutation c.2446G>A (p.Gly816Arg) was identified in the RAG1 gene. Conclusion: This finding expands the spectrum of immunological and genetic profiles linked to RAG1 mutation, it also illustrates the necessity to consider RAG1 immunodeficiency in the presence of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and CMV infection, even assuming the immunological phenotype appears more or less normal.

Effect of a serious game JeStiMulE in emotion recognition of Moroccan autistic children

Human beings can express their emotions in different ways such as facial expressions, bodily expressions, prosody, or language. However, ASDs are life-long neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by varying levels of social and communicative defcit . The influence of a serious named JeStimule on improving the recognition of facial emotions in children with autism. We have 17 autistic children with different characteristics recruit ed for a cross-sectional study. The level of language comprehension and academic lear ning is slightly heterogeneous. We have more boys than girls with an average age of 11.23. It has been concluded that children have a gradual ease in recognizing the following emotions: Happiness, surprise, sadness, anger, pain, fear, but the result of the 3 emotions that is lacking (Neutral, funny face, Disgust) was unsatisfactory and very difficult for the child to understand. This type of educational game for children with autism is effective and important for this child profile, to improve these skills to recognize the emotions of others. However, there is a need to carry out more research to put in place specific educational games in the context of a Moroccan child. Autism recognition of emotions is a cognitive remediation area of great interest to this population.

Novel NKX2-5 germline mutation in a Moroccan child with transitional atrio-ventricular septal defect (tAVSD).

Atrioventricular septal defect is a complex congenital heart defects (CHD) with a prevalence of approximately 4% of all CHDs. Transitional form of atrio-ventricular septal defect (tAVSD) associates ostium primum atrial septal defect, common atrioventricular annulus with distinct atrioventricular valvar orifices in addition of restrictive ventricular septal defect. We describe in this report clinical and molecular features of a Moroccan boy that carries a novel NK2 homeobox 5 (NKX2-5) germline mutation (Pro141Ala), and exhibits a transitional atrio-ventricular septal defect. This phenotype has never been reported in association with NKX2-5 germline mutations. Pro141Ala is a non-reported pathogenic mutation that alters the nuclear localization signal sequence, leading to disruption of NKX2-5 nuclear translocation mechanism. Such alteration would decrease nuclear transcriptional activity of NKX2-5 and impair cardiogenesis process. The present report comes to widen the phenotypic spectrum of congenital heart disease caused by NKX2-5 germline mutations, and highlights as well the importance of the nuclear localization system in NKX2-5 activity.

252 Cystic fibrosis in the Moroccan child: study of 13 cases

252 Cystic fibrosis in the Moroccan child: study of 13 cases

Health Promotion in the Moroccan Child Population in Spain: The Healthy Child Program

The purpose of this study is to analyze how the health promotion concept is integrated into the ethos of the Moroccan population through the positions set forth with respect to adherence to the Healthy Child Program. The participants are twenty Morocco immigrant women. The technique applied is based on the half structured interview. The results of the data analyses give place to identify four key themes: A look to Morocco regarding the care of children, the begin of acculturation processes related to the children health, the access to the Spanish Public Sanitary System, and the woman and the family care

PO19-WE-02 A novel Sjogren-Larsson syndrome mutation in a Moroccan child

PO19-WE-02 A novel Sjogren-Larsson syndrome mutation in a Moroccan child

Syndrome de Sjögren-Larsson en rapport avec une nouvelle mutation chez un enfant marocain

Sjögren-Larsson syndrome is a very rare inherited neurocutaneous disorder caused by a deficiency of microsomal enzyme fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase (FALDH). The authors report a case of typical Sjögren-Larsson syndrome in a 7-year-old Moroccan child who presented with classical symptoms (congenital ichthyosis, mental retardation, and spastic paraparesis) and epilepsy. The genetic study revealed a new mutation in the FALDH gene mapped to chromosome 17, consisting in a G109A substitution in exon 2.