Prevalence of genital infections among women in reproductive age group in a rural area in North Kerala

Background: Genital infections, a major cause of illness among women in reproductive age group, affect their quality of life and social living. Early diagnosis and treatment of STI/RTI is also an important aspect in prevention of HIV transmission. As there are only a handful of studies in Kerala and none in Kannur assessing the prevalence, associated factors of genital infections and health seeking behaviour among women in reproductive age group, this study stands important.Methods: A community based descriptive study was conducted in Kulappuram area of Cheruthazham Panchayat which is the field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Kannur, Pariyaram from June, 2017 – July, 2018. A total of 404 women in reproductive a group were studied. A semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect relevant information. Data was analyzed using SPSS-version 19 software.Results: The mean age of the study population was 32.20±10.741years. 52.7% of the study population had genital infection, with 40.6% having symptoms of Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI) and 12.1%, symptoms of Urinary tract Infections (UTI). The presence of these was significantly associated with menstrual disorders, cloth as menstrual pad users, marriage, sexual activity and absence of infertility. Only 39.0% of the women with infections had sought treatment.Conclusions: Although there was high prevalence of genital infections among the study population, treatment seeking behaviour was very low. There is a need for sustained motivation and support to promote women to seek timely medical care than to suffer silently.

Use of dexamethasone in cerebral oedema

Dexamethasone is prescribed routinely to reduce cerebral oedema in neurosurgical patients undergoing craniotomy for tumour .Dexamethasone, however, has been shown to cause hyperglycaemia. We describe a case of hyperglycaemic crisis, cerebral oedema secondary to dexamethasone in a patient with a Right temporal meningioma. We highlight the risks of pre-operative dexamethasone and discuss the diagnosis, treatment and complications of hyperglycaemic crises and diabetic ketoacidosis

Hypernatremia among in-patients of a General Hospital in Kuwait

To determine the incidence and aetiology of Hypernatremia in adult patients admitted to a general hospital in Kuwait as it has not been studied as frequently as hyponatremia. A hospital based retrospective study carried out between July 2009 to Dec 2009. Medical inpatient wards, department of medicine, Al-Jahra hospital, Kuwait. 92 hypernatremia patients [41 males and 51 females] of the total 1825 patients were analyzed and their aetiology studied. Frequency, aetiology and outcome of Hypernatremia in adult inpatients. All blood samples were analyzed in biochemistry department on LX20 machine. Information regarding age, gender, highest serum sodium levels, clinical diagnoses and further clinical information suggesting causes of hypernatremia was gathered. Results: Of the total 1825 patients analyzed, 5.04% were diagnosed with hypernatremia with a mean serum sodium of 150.9 mmol/L. Among major causes of hypernatremia were hyperglycemia [21.7%], IV fluids [21.7%] and dehydration [17.4%] The overall incidence of hypernatremia in this hospital was 5.04%. Hyperglycemia and IV fluid administration were the commonest causes. Prompt treatment of hypernatremia is necessary but care should be taken to avoid excessively rapid correction or overcorrection, which increases the risk of iatrogenic cerebral edema

Mediastinal ganglioneuroblastoma-secreting vasoactive intestinal peptide causing secretory diarrhea

In this case report we describe a case of mediastinal ganglioneuroblastoma-secreting vasoactive intestinal peptide [VIP], causing secretory diarrhoea in an 18-month-old child. An 18-month-old girl presented with a 2-month history of diarrhoea, abdominal distension and weight loss. Investigations revealed secretory diarrhoea with hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia and hypochloraemia and metabolic acidosis. Her stool output was 2.5-3.1 day[-1] with increased stool sodium. VIP levels were strikingly high with normal glucagon and gastrin levels. X-ray of the chest revealed a well-defined mass in the right upper zone with tracheal shift, which was confirmed with computed tomography [CT] of the chest. The mass was resected and the patient became asymptomatic. This case shows that secretory diarrhoea caused by VIP and produced by ganglioneuroblastoma indicates a favourable prognosis, provided it is resectable

Epidemiology and clinical presentation of hospitalized children with influenza A [H1N1] in Kuwait

WHO had declared the global pandemic of influenza A [H1N1] in June 2009. The age group mostly reported to be at risk of infection are children and young adults. To review the epidemiological and clinical features of children hospitalized with influenza A[H1N1]. A retrospective view of medical record of children admitted to the department of paediatrics-Amiri Hospital-with diagnosis of influenza A [H1N1] during August-November 2009. Only patients with positive nasopharyngeal swab were included. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected and analyzed. A total of 55 children were admitted with influenza A [H1N1] during the study period. Majority [71%] of the admissions were in October. Females comprised 58% of the studied children. Previously healthy children were 62% of the sample with a mean age of 4 years. The most common presenting symptoms were; fever [100%], cough [83%], runny nose [71%]. Complications were noted in 25 [45%] patients and were as follows: Febrile convulsions 9 [36%], neutropenia 7 [28%], Pneumonia 8 [32%], arrhythmia 1 [4%]. Antibiotics were administered to 62% of the children. Patients were admitted for a mean of 5 days. All patients had an uneventful hospitalization except for 3 patients who were transferred to the intensive care unit, and they recovered. Influenza A [H1N1] in children peaked in October 2009 with the dominance of previously healthy children. All children recovered and there was no mortality in our studied group