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Organ transplantation is a life-saving intervention, yet a persistent global organ shortage threatens patient survival. In Egypt, cultural, religious, and legal factors significantly influence donation willingness, contributing to persistently low consent rates. This study aimed to: (1) compare attitudes toward posthumous organ donation between patients with chronic illness and healthy individuals; (2) assess their preferences for eleven distinct consent models; and (3) evaluate awareness of Egyptian organ donation laws and how this and key socio-demographic predictors influence willingness to donate. This cross-sectional study included 6,000 participants (3,000 patients and 3,000 healthy individuals) from two Egyptian governorates. Participants were selected through stratified random sampling. Structured interviews and self-administered questionnaires collected data on socio-demographics, donation knowledge, and consent preferences. Participants ranked eleven consent models and assessed their awareness of key Egyptian organ donation laws. Patients exhibited a significantly higher willingness to donate posthumously (91%) compared to healthy individuals (60%) ( p  < 0.01). Written consent was preferred over verbal consent in both groups (75.2% vs. 70.1%, p  < 0.001), emphasizing the importance of formal documentation. Incentivized donation was more favored by patients (59.6%) than healthy participants (54.7%) ( p  = 0.001), indicating incentives could enhance participation. Among patients, chronic illness was the primary motivator for donation, rendering socio-demographic variables less relevant. However, logistic regression identified key predictors among healthy participants. Participants aged 45–65 years were significantly less willing to donate than those over 65 years (AOR = 0.41, p  = 0.01). Those in education (AOR = 2.07, p  = 0.006) and manual workers (AOR = 1.94, p  = 0.004) were more likely to donate than the unemployed. Higher socioeconomic status (C1/C2 and A/B) was associated with lower donation willingness than the lowest SES (D) (AOR = 0.34, 0.31, p  < 0.001). Greater legal awareness was significantly associated with higher willingness to donate ( p  < 0.001). Chronic illness enhances donation willingness independent of socio-demographics. Health authorities should implement adaptive consent frameworks to enhance organ donation rates in Egypt, including simplified, surrogate-inclusive models for patients. Structured legal education programs for the general public to address knowledge gaps are recommended.

Background The nutritional status and growth of children with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is influenced significantly by two factors; food selectivity behaviors due to their consumption of a limited variety of food and the high incidence of gastrointestinal (GIT) disorders. Aim This study aimed to assess the nutritional adequacy and growth pattern of ASD children aged three to twelve years compared to their healthy developing peers. Methods A national comparative, facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in eight Egyptian governorates on 285 Egyptian children diagnosed with ASD and 224 children who are their relatives as healthy developing peers. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, including weight, height, head circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and all numbers were plotted on WHO growth charts. Assessment of food preferences, and nutrient intake adequacy of children was done using the Food preference questionnaire, and the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) of Egyptian children. Results Calorie-dense food and sugar intake were higher among ASD children than their healthy developing peers. ASD children omit some important protein sources such as dairy (COR = 5.2, 95% CI:2.7–9.9), meat, and poultry (COR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.6–4.7), and a lower intake of fruits and vegetables than their healthy developing peers. For children with ASD in all age groups, a deficiency in the range of 50–60% was detected for vitamins (C, D, B6, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin) and minerals (iron). A deficiency in the range of 60–70% was detected for folate and calcium. A deficiency of vitamin C calcium and iron was also detected for both children with ASD and their healthy developing relatives aged 6 to 12 years. GIT disorders were common among ASD children compared to healthy developing peers (COR = 2.8 to 10.3). Children with ASD had four-fold higher odds of stunting (COR = 4.1, CI: 1.7–10.1), threefold higher odds of being overweight (COR = 3.3, CI: 1.48–7.32), and nearly eleven-fold higher odds of obesity (COR = 11.4, CI: 4.05–32.17) compared to their healthy developing peers. Conclusion ASD children are prone to overweight and protein malnutrition. Their intake of fruits and vegetables is inadequate and hence their intake of vitamins and minerals is insufficient, contributing to stunting.

Background Child disability has significant implications on their well-being and healthcare systems. Aim: This survey aimed to assess the magnitude of seven types of disability among Egyptian children aged 1 < 6 years and their socio-demographic, epidemiological, and perinatal predictors. Methods A national population-based cross-sectional household survey targeting 21,316 children from eight governorates was conducted. The screening questionnaire was derived from the WHO ten-question survey tool validated for identifying seven disability categories. Results The percentage of children with at least one disability was 8.1% as follows: speech/communication (4.4%), Mobility/physical (2.5%), Seizures (2.2%), Comprehension (1.7%), Intellectual impairment (1.4%), Visual (0.3%) and Hearing (0.2%). Age was not found to affect the odds of disability except for visual disability (significantly increased with age (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI:1.1–1.7). Male sex also increased the odds of all disabilities except visual, hearing, and seizures. Convulsions after birth significantly increased the odds of disability as follows: hearing (AOR = 8.1, 95% CI: 2.2–30.5), intellectual impairment (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: 2.5–6.9), and mobility/physical (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 2.3–5.0). Preterm delivery and being kept in an incubator for more than two days after birth increased the odds for visual disability (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.1–12.1 & AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.7–7.9 respectively). Cyanosis increased the odds of seizures (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.2–10.3). Low birth weight also increased the odds for all disability domains except for visual and hearing. Maternal health problems during pregnancy increased the odds for all types of disability except hearing and seizures. Higher paternal education decreased the odds for all disabilities by at least 30% except for vision and hearing. Conclusion The study found a high prevalence of disability among Egyptian children aged 1–6 years. It identified a number of modifiable risk factors for disability. The practice of early screening for disability is encouraged to provide early interventions when needed.