Saudi Med J
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To determine the clincal course and outcome of acute renal failure in an intensive care unit set-up. ⋯ The development of acute renal failure in the setting of an intensive care unit carried a poor prognosis. Renal causes are responsible for 2 in 3 cases. Septicemia, dehydration/hypovolemia, myo/hemoglobinuria are the leading medical causes while multiple organ dysfunction, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, acute respiratory distress syndrome and diabetes mellitus increase mortality. The poor prognosis of patients developing acute renal failure in the intensive care unit can be improved if attention is paid to prevention of septicemia, dehydration, prompt and aggressive treatment of multiple organ dysfunction, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, acute respiratory distress syndrome and diabetes mellitus.
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Low vitamin D status has been frequently reported among Saudi subjects of all ages. No attempt has been made to relate this status to dietary intake or to diseases leading to malabsorption, for example diarrhea. This study was performed to investigate the various factors leading to low vitamin D status, and their relative importance in infants and preschool children. ⋯ Diet was the major source of the vitamin in subjects <12 months of age, and hence low levels were associated with frequent diarrheal attacks. A decrease in dietary intake, and more dependence on endogenous vitamin synthesis was apparent in older children, leading to low vitamin status in ones with low dietary intake and inadequate exposure to sunlight