Saudi Child Research Articles

Saudi Arabia's Maternal and Child Health Scenario Interpreted.

Countries in the Arabian Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia, deserve special attention due to the scarcity of information researched and discussed on Maternal and Child Health (MCH). This report focuses on trends in women of reproductive age, children ever born, live births, child mortality, contraception, age at marriage, and fertility rates. Data from various censuses conducted from 1992 to 2010 and demographic surveys conducted from 2000 to 2017 were used in this analysis. Over time period, the female population increased in Saudi Arabia. However, the proportion of children, ever-married women, children ever-born, and live births decreased as did child mortality. These changes in maternal and child health dimensions are owing to reforms in the health sector, including health infrastructure, in accordance with the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A comparatively higher quality of MCH was reported. However, demands and challenges of obstetric, gynecologic, and pediatric care are increasing, thus, strengthening and streamlining in accordance with fertility trends, marital patterns, and child health care is essential, for which primary data collection at regular intervals is a prerequisite.

Age of Immersion Effect on Second Language Phonological Acquisition: A Rare Case Study

This paper integrates and critically reviews current literature on the age effect on second language (L2) phonology. It adds new data to the discussion as it cites a rare case of a Saudi child who was mistakenly raised by a Turkish family for four years and five months due to a hospital malpractice. At the time of the study, he was learning his real family language, Arabic, as an L2. The main focus of this paper is to examine the effect of age of immersion on second language phonology after the cutoff of his first language (L1), investigating the availability of foreign accent. The findings indicate that the case has crossed the boundary into native-level performance from a native speaker’s perspective. Nevertheless, the child’s production differs in a statistically significant way from that of the control group. Foreign accent was detected in his controlled production, depicting a possible effect of age of immersion on second language phonology.

The Effect of Children’s Exposure to the YouTube Platform Moshaya Family Channel on Socialization of the Saudi Child Regarding Life Satisfaction

Abstract This study aims to measure the effects of exposure to a YouTube platform, the Moshaya Family Channel, on the socialization of children. We monitored the content provided by the channel and how children are affected by it in terms of moral and behavioral aspects, specifically the impacts of their repeated exposure to the programs on their life satisfaction. This needed to be studied due to the increase in views and subscriptions to the channel, and children’s level of attachment to the presented content. This research uses the survey method. An online questionnaire was used to obtain information from a study sample of 338 Saudi mothers whose children are watching “The Moshaya Family Channel.” Children’s ages ranged from 5 to 13 years old. The most important result is that a big proportion of children have the awareness of terms like subscribe, share, like and views. The reason for that is due to their being influenced by the idea of popularity and their desire to make their own YouTube channel. The research also found that a big proportion of children preferred prank content in the channel and described it as interesting, which pushed them to imitate these pranks in their lives. The research found that most mothers don’t like their children to watch the channel because it incites the child to prank others and prompts buying behavior in children. This confirms the role played by new media platforms, especially YouTube, which result in children acquiring values not only for entertainment, but also a tool for learning, communication and entertainment.

Rare mutation in PRUNE 1- gene causing a neurodevelopmental disease with rare systemic manifestations in a Saudi child

PRUNE 1- related disorder, is a neurodevelopmental problem characterized by microcephaly, hypotonia, and variable central nervous system abnormalities, it is a unique uncommon autosomal recessive disease caused by a homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the PRUNE1 gene on chromosome 1q21.4. Here we report a 15 months old girl who presented with characteristic features compatible with Prune syndrome informed of severe developmental delay, progressive microcephaly, hypertelorism, micrognathia and low set ears. The neurological evaluation revealed profound central hypotonia and spastic limbs with increased deep tendon reflexes. At the age of 15 months, she became more flaccid, with multiple hospitalizations because of recurrent aspiration, refractory seizure and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. Eye examination showed severe optic atrophy. Further molecular genetic analysis revealed a homozygous variant c.383G>A – P(Arg128Gln)-chr1:150997134.

تغذیة الألعاب الإلکترونیة الذکیة ثقافة الطفل السعودی للعنف والإرهاب

عنوان الدراسة : ( تغذية الألعاب الإلکترونية الذکية ثقافة الطفل السعودي للعنف والإرهاب ) أهداف الدراسة : تستهدف الدراسة التعرف على مفهوم ثقافة الطفل وأبرز روافدها ، والتعرف على مفهوم الألعاب الإلکترونية الذکية وأبرز ايجابياتها وسلبياتها من وجهة نظر عينة من أعضاء هيئة التدريس بجامعة أم القرى ، وتوضيح مفهوم العنف والإرهاب ، وبيان أن الألعاب الإلکترونية الذکية تغذي ثقافة الطفل العربي السعودي للعنف والإرهاب . نتائج الدراسة :  توجد علاقة بين الألعاب الإلکترونية الذکية والعنف والإرهاب .  أن سلبيات الألعاب الإلکترونية الذکية تفوق إيجابياتها . (Feeding smart electronic games, culture of violence and terrorism for the Saudi child) Objectives of the study : The study aims to get acquainted with the concept of the child’s culture and its most prominent tributaries, and to identify the concept of smart electronic games and its most prominent advantages and disadvantages from the point of view of a sample of faculty members at Umm Al-Qura University, and to clarify the concept of violence and terrorism, and a statement that smart electronic games nourish the culture of the Saudi Arabian child for violence and terrorism. Study results: The results were as follows: - There is a relationship between smart electronic games, violence and terrorism. - The downsides of smart electronic games outweigh the positives.

Succinyl-CoA: 3-Ketoacid CoA-Transferase Deficiency in a Saudi Girl

Objective: Succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid CoA transferase (SCOT) deficiency is a rare genetic disorder of ketone utilization and isoleucine catabolism caused by mutations in the OXCT1 gene,
 Case: A Saudi girl case of SCOT deficiency confirmed by genetic analysis has been reported in this study. A 5-year-old girl presented to the emergency with the first episode of severe metabolic ketoacidosis after a febrile illness. On admission, she was drowsy lethargic, and severely dehydrated needs to admit in a highly dependent area. Initial investigations were done during the crisis showed refractory severe metabolic acidosis (pH of 7.18, HCO3- of 7.4 mmol/L), normal ammonia, lactic acidosis, and urine organic acid profile revealed elevations in 3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate. Genetic analysis was done by CentoMito Comprehensive (Large extended screening panel), sequencing of OXCT1 gene revealed that the proband is homozygous for the missense likely pathogenic variant c.1402C>T p.(Arg468Cys) confirming the diagnosis of SCOT deficiency.
 Conclusion: This is the first Saudi child with succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid CoA transferase (SCOT) deficiency case report as searched in the literature. This case highlights the importance of suspecting SCOT deficiency in the differential diagnosis of pediatric metabolic ketoacidosis in preventing life-threatening of severe Metabolic ketoacidosis

Saudi Child with a Novel Mutation Causing Hereditary Spherocytosis, a Case Report corrected in the text

Spherocytosis is a descriptive terminology of red blood cells, which has a spherical shape rather than the normal biconcave shape of the normal red blood cells. Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is an inherited blood disorder, which has large heterogenic presentation with both autosomal dominant inheritance and less frequently in an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Saudi Arabia is known to have high consanguineous marriage, which makes the population on a higher risk of developing different inherited disorders including HS. We are reporting a novel pathological mutation in a child with HS which caused him to have hemolytic anemia since the age of 2 years. To our best knowledge, this is the first time this new mutation is reported in the medical literatures.

A Saudi child with Sphingosine Phosphate Lyase insufficiency syndrome

Background: Sphingosine Phosphate Lyase Insufficiency Syndrome SPLIS is a recently described condition, which is associated with loss of function mutations in SGPL1, encoding sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase. In 2017, several groups reported this novel childhood syndrome that featured a wide range of presentations including fetal hydrops, steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI), rapid or insidious neurological deterioration, immunodeficiency, acanthosis and endocrine abnormalities. Case Presentation: A 7-year-old boy was presented to us with primary adrenal insufficiency on hydrocortisone following pediatrics endocrinology at our hospital. Genetic testing identified a homozygous variant of sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1 (NM 003901: exon8: c.665G>A: p.R222Q). At the same time, he was found to have nephrotic syndrome, and renal function rapidly deteriorated. Biopsy of the right kidney showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with collapsing features and acute interstitial nephritis. Later, he received a living- related renal transplant. He is doing well after the transplant. Conclusion: Patients with primary adrenal insufficiency should be carefully followed to develop nephrotic syndrome features, and molecular testing is the key to the diagnosis of the underlying etiology. This is the first reported case with sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1 that underwent renal transplantation in our region.

الامکانات التشکيلية للزخارف العسيرية ودورها في تعزيز القيم الوطنية وتنمية الثقافة البصرية للطفل السعودي The plastic capacities of Asiri motifs and their role in promoting national values and developing the visual culture of the Saudi child

Folk motifs are considered one of the areas of heritage worthy of attention, as they are distinguished by their simple expressive and symbolic language, which made them a true mirror of the society's culture and life philosophy, and its transmission between generations, as well as its connection clearly with the practical aspect, motivated by adding the aesthetic dimension and attractiveness of things. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has its own art that defines the features of each region and distinguishes it from others, as the Asiri motifs are distinguished by their richness and beautiful decorative units stemming from the environment, and it is considered one of the heritage areas worthy of attention because it contains meanings related to the lives of the population, their traditions and beliefs, and the aesthetic values ​​they carry that require study and benefit It is a source for the development of artistic culture and the promotion of the national values ​​of the Saudi child, as children are greatly attracted to works that take a heritage character. Therefore, the current research aims to study the plastic and aesthetic capabilities of Asiri motifs as one of the Saudi folklore arts, and revive the Saudi folklore arts by shedding light on Asiri art and its role as an artistic cultural influence in promoting the cultural and artistic identity of the child in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In order to achieve the objectives of the research, it relied in its methodology on both the descriptive and analytical approaches and the experimental method, and the research reached a set of results, the most important of which is that by studying the plastic ornamentation potentials of Asir, it can contribute to the development of visual culture and the strengthening of the national values ​​of the Saudi child, and the research reached a set of recommendations from The most important of which is the need to spread awareness of the culture and heritage of the Saudi society, especially for children, by addressing traditional arts, including the vocabulary, elements, symbols and aesthetic values ​​they contain in artistic works.

A Saudi Child With Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia and Vitiligo

Chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is less commonly found in the children presenting with ITP. Patients usually present with petechiae, purpura, or active bleeding in the form of epistaxis or hematuria. The main aim of treatment in chronic ITP is to prevent major bleeding and to increase the platelet count. High doses of corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab, and eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TPO-RA), are medications that can be used. In this report, we present a case of chronic ITP in a 12-year-old child. In addition to features of chronic ITP, he also has vitiligo around his eyes and limbs. During treatment, he was resistant to steroids and did not respond to rituximab or eltrombopag. To understand the cause of his presenting features, we did multiple diagnostic evaluations. The whole-exome sequencing raises the possibility of auto-inflammatory syndrome Behcet-like (AISBL), which is a rare genetic disorder and not frequently reported in the available medical literature. AISBL is caused by mutations in the TNFAIP3 gene. According to our best knowledge, this is the first Saudi child diagnosed with chronic ITP and vitiligo with the possibility of AISBL that needs further genetic work-up to confirm the diagnosis.

Successful treatment of refractory status epileptics with a single dose of IV ketamine in a Saudi child - a case report

Background: Status epileptics are classically defined as seizures that are continuous for 30 minutes or longer or repetitive seizures between which the patient does not regain consciousness. This study reports a case of a boy with a 2-hour seizure. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 7-year-old boy, who is known to have tuberous sclerosis (TSC2 gene mutation). On the day of presentation, the seizure had started with aura (epigastric pain with weakness in the face), then started to seize in a form left focal jerky movement with generalization associated with rolling up of the eyes, and lasted for 5 minutes; it was aborted clinically by lorazepam 0.1 mg/kg IV. However, the electroencephalography (EEG) showed subclinical seizure. The patient received a loading dose of phenytoin, 20 mg/kg IV, with no changes in the EEG; then Keppra (three doses) with a total of 40 mg/kg IV was given, but subclinical seizure still persisted. The patient was given one dose of Ketamine IV of 1 mg/kg, which resulted in complete cessation of the seizure activity within 3 minutes after injection, which was confirmed by prolonged EEG monitoring. The total duration of the seizure was 2 hours. Conclusion: Ketamine can be considered as a third-line drug in refractory status epilepticus.

Chronic Foreign Body Aspiration in a Saudi Child - An Occult Cause of Chronic Pulmonary Disease: Case Report and Literature Review.

Chronic Foreign Body Aspiration in a Saudi Child - An Occult Cause of Chronic Pulmonary Disease: Case Report and Literature Review.

Recurrent acute pancreatitis in a Saudi child with isovaleric acidemia

Isovaleric acidemia (IVA), also known as the sweaty foot syndrome, is an autosomal recessive organic acid disorder due to a defect in the mitochondrial Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent enzyme isovaleryl CoA dehydrogenase. Acute pancreatitis as a complication has been reported. We are presenting a rare case of recurrent acute pancreatitis complicating a 9-year-old girl with IVA. She presented with repeated attacks of vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and fever since the age of 18 months. These were diagnosed as attacks of pancreatitis with high serum amylase presenting clinically as diabetic ketoacidosis. Later, she developed chronic pancreatitis which is proved by lapratomy. In the last attack, she was comatosed with fulminant sepsis and sooner the patient died. Blood sample taken during this last attack confirmed the diagnosis of IVA. An inborn error of organic acid metabolism should be considered in children with pancreatitis of unknown origin.

Comparison of Saudi child versus parent-report of child tooth-brushing practices.

This cross-sectional study compared Saudi children's tooth-brushing practices as reported by children and parents and then matched the agreement of reports. A sample of 100 Saudi parents and their children of ages 8-12 years participated in this cross-sectional investigation. A self-administered structured questionnaire regarding the current tooth-brushing practice and habits at home was filled by the child. The same questionnaire was filled independently by parents. Mothers were more likely to teach children about tooth-brushing and fathers were minimally helping children during tooth-brushing. Mothers were the first to teach the children and approximately 33% of the children started brushing their teeth by age 5. Children and parents reported that children clean their teeth using a tooth-brush (73.74% and 76.77%), miswak (5.05% and 5.05%), or both (21.21% and 18.18%), respectively. There was some agreement between reported tooth-brushing practice of children and their parents. It is important to question both the child and parent regarding oral hygiene practice and compare their answers to get more broad knowledge about their practices. Approximately, one-third of the children started brushing their teeth by age 5, which differs from recommended oral hygiene practices.

Corrigendum to "Fever of unknown origin and liver mass in a Saudi child" [Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med 2 (2) (2015) 79-83

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpam.2015.06.002.].

Candida Albicans Ventriculitis Post Trans-Sphenoidal Surgery. Case Report and Literature Review

Central nervous system (CNS) infection with Candida in children is rare. In this report, we describe a Saudi child diagnosed with suprastellar astrocytoma brain tumor who experienced Candida albicans meningitis with ventriculitis post-trans-sphenoidal brain tumor resection. The patient was treated successfully with intravenous amphotericin B and fluconazole.

Chronic foreign body aspiration in a Saudi Child - An occult cause of chronic pulmonary disease: Case report and literature review

This case report describes an 8-year-old female, who presented with repeated chest infections. She was screened for acid fast bacilli, immune deficiency syndrome, and cystic fibrosis. The computed tomography scan revealed collapsed left upper lobe with multiple cystic lesions in the lingula. Bronchoscopy was performed, and a foreign body was removed. This diagnosis is still considered a missed and an overlooked (forgotten) diagnosis.

High Hemoglobin F in a Saudi Child Presenting with Pancytopenia

Saudi Arabia has a high prevalence of sickle cell disease with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, and sickle cell disease patients are divided according to the clinical phenotypes. Sickle cell disease patients who have higher expression of hemoglobin F level are reported to experience milder disease since high hemoglobin F is thought to ameliorate the disease manifestations. However, the effects are not consistent since hemoglobin F is not equally distributed among erythrocytes. Multiple factors can help determine the level of fetal hemoglobin in adults. Here we report a case of a Saudi patient who presented with her first crisis at the age of 6 years.

Subcorneal pustular dermatosis in a 7-year old Saudi child: A case report and review of the literature

Subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SCPD) also known as Sneddon–Wilkinson disease (Sneddon and Wilkinson, 1956) is a rare, benign, chronic, sterile pustular eruption which usually develops in middle-age or elderly women; it is rarely seen in childhood and adolescence (Johnson and Cripps, 1974). The primary lesions are pea-sized pustules classically described as half-pustular, half-clear flaccid blisters. Histologically the most important feature is a subcorneal accumulation of neutrophils with the absence of spongiosis or acantholysis. In this paper we present the case of a 7-years-old boy diagnosed with SCPD based on the characteristic clinical and histological features. Oral and topical corticosteroid has been successfully used in the treatment of the disease.

Fatal Streptococcus melleri Meningitis Complicating Missed Infected Intramedullary Dermoid Cyst Secondary to Dermal Sinus in a Saudi Child

A spinal intramedullary abscess secondary to an infected dermoid cyst is rare, and it has a poor prognosis, unless diagnosed and treated promptly. We report a 12-month-old patient with a spinal intramedullary abscess with secondary to a dermoid cyst resulting from a dermal sinus, despite a clearly defined opening at the lower back with discharge of a purulent material from a dermal sinus tract seen on the lower back before the patient had become symptomatic and showed meningeal signs. The patient was managed as a case of meningitis until he had complications that endangered his life, and then further radiological evaluation was done to delineate the underlying pathology. This case illustrates the importance of the recognition and evaluation of skin markers because of the potential for intradural extension and a frequent association with other dysraphic abnormalities. It also emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of spinal intramedullary abscess.