Biomedical subjects

Farkhanda Hafeez

Publications and source records attributed to Farkhanda Hafeez.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Levamisole in steroid dependent and frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of levamisole in steroid dependent (S.D) and frequently relapsing (F.R) nephrotic, from syndrome (N.S). DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Nephrology at The Children s Hospital, Lahore, over a period of 5 years from January 2000 to December 2004. MATERIAL AND METHODS: S.D.N.S and F.R.N.S patients between the ages of 1-15 years, were given levamisole on alternate day in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg, if either the dosage of steroids to maintain remission was >1 mg/kg/every other day (EOD), or 0.5 mg/kg/EOD with signs of steroid toxicity. The agent was continued for a period of one year and the steroids were gradually tapered off by 2.5-5 mg every four weeks to less than 0.5 mg/kg/EOD. The patients were monitored for maintenance of remission and side effects of drug. RESULTS: Seventy patients with a mean age of 5.50+/-2.97 years , with male to female ratio of 4:1 were studied. Nineteen (27.14%) patients did not relapse on therapy, while it was ineffective in 11(15.7%). Rest of 40 (57.14%) patients, though, relapsed during therapy, their duration of remission was prolonged from six months to one year, and dose of corticosteroids could be significantly reduced (0.1-0.3 mg/kg/EOD). It was also observed that levamisole is more effective in older children (>5 years versus <5 years) [P-value 0.03]. The only side effects were transient rash and occasional vomiting. CONCLUSION: Levamisole is a safe and effective steroid sparing drug, in steroid dependent and frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome, for the prolongation of remission, especially in older children.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2006

A familial hypomagnesemia--hypercalciuria (Manz syndrome).

We report a case of a rare inherited tubular disorder of linked transport of magnesium and calcium at the level of ascending limb of loop of Henle, characterized by hypomagnesemia, hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis, known as "Manz syndrome," who presented with polyuria, nystagmus and recurrent episodes of tetany with radiological evidence of rickets and nephrocalcinosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Acute complications of haemodialysis in paediatric age group.

OBJECTIVE: To assess acute complications of haemodialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Nephrology Department of The Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore over a period of 2 years (January 2001-December 2002). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The children in age group of 6-14 years, suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD), were provided renal replacement therapy in the form of haemodialysis mostly twice a week and were observed for the complications of the procedure. RESULTS: A total 519 haemodialysis were performed on 25 patients. The mean age was 11.06 years and weight was 26.8 kg. The clinical problems observed were hypertension in 40.46%, hypotension 3.4%, chest pain 4.04%, headache 13.87%, vomiting 1.73%, gastrointestinal bleeding 1.92%, muscle cramps 8.6% and convulsions 0.57% of sessions. Hypokalemia was main electrolyte disturbance seen during 8%, while fever with rigors and chills in 4.02% of sessions. Minor bleeding from subclavian catheter was seen during 2.89% of sessions while thrombosis, infection and accidental dislodgment in 0.77%, 12.50% and 0.57% of sessions respectively. Technical problems like clotting in dialyzer during 0.95% and failure of ultra-violet control module was seen in 3.42% of sessions. CONCLUSION: Haemodialysis, a life saving treatment modality, is not without risk of complications. Hypertension, headache, muscle cramps and catheter infections were the most commonly encountered complications in this series.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2005

Efficacy of steroids, cyclosporin and cyclophos-phamide in steroid resistant idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of three different treatment protocols in steroid resistant idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, (SRINS). DESIGN: Interventional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Nephrology at The Children's Hospital, Lahore, over a period of 3 years from January 2000 to December 2002. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nephrotic children who did not respond to four weeks of steroid therapy (60mg/M2) followed by three pulses of methyl prednisolone (1Gm/1.73M2) over a period of one week were labeled as steroid resistant. Those with histopathological lesions of minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Mes.PGN were divided into 3 groups. Group-I was treated with cyclophosphamide (CPM) and oral steroids, group-II with cyclosporine and oral steroids and group-III with pulse methyl prednisolone (MPP) and oral steroid + CPM. The response to treatment and course of disease were observed in each group. RESULTS: Twenty patients with mean age of 4.4 years were enrolled. On the whole 10 (50%) had complete remission. In group-I, 5 (50%), in group-II, 3 (75%) and in group-III, 2 (33.3%) had complete remission. Depending upon histological lesion 100% (n=2) with MCD, 50% (n=6) with Mes.PGN and 25% (n=1) with FSGS achieved complete remission. Cyclosporine and CPM induced remission in 100% of patients with MCD, while in Mes.PGN response rate in group-I, II, and III was 100% (n=1), 50%(n=1), and 44.4%(n=4) respectively. In patients with FSGS, MPP was the only drug used with limited response of 25% (n=1). CONCLUSION: Cyclosporine proved to be a better option for MCD and Mes.PGN, while MPP showed limited response in patients with FSGS.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Nephronophthisis: a variant.

The case report describes a young boy with renal, retinal, hepatic and cerebellar involvement in a rare syndrome. He had polyuria, deranged renal functions and cystic lesions in kidneys, which led to the diagnosis of nephronophthisis (NPH). Extra-renal involvement with night blindness, truncal ataxia, mental retardation and hepatosplenomegaly. Thus, every patient with NPH should be carefully examined for extra-renal involvement.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗