Prevalence of gross congenital malformations at birth in the neonates in a tertiary care hospital

To determine prevalence, pattern of distribution of congenital anomalies in newborn. Cross-sectional observational study. This study was carried out in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ward 18, Nishtar Hospital, Multan. This was a cross sectional study. All the women giving birth to babies included. Demographic details, associated risk factors and the type of congenital anomalies in babies were recorded. Diagnosis of congenital anomalies was based on clinical evaluation of newborn by experienced neonatologist. A total of 611 consecutive neonates delivered in Nishtar Hospital Multan, were subjected to full clinical evaluation. Social data included parental consanguinity and social class. The prevalence of malformations in the 611 hospital live births and stillbirths was 2.95%. Malformed neonates [18] were classified into 06 groups according to the system affected using World Health Organization classification of congenital malformations. The most common anomalies were: central nervous system [38.88%], cleft lip and cleft palate [11.11%], musculoskeletal system [5.55%], ear, face and neck [5.55%], gastrointestinal tract [5.55%] and having more than one defect [33.33%].Parental consanguinity was found in 31.79% of all cases and in 55.5% of malformed cases, thus illustrating the deleterious effects of consanguinity. The commonest associated risk factor was consanguineous marriage the frequency of which may be reduced by creating awareness regarding the avoidance of consanguineous marriages. CNS related malformations were the most prevalent anomaly detected and early prenatal diagnosis is helpful in decreasing the indirect prevalence of perinatal mortality by offering early termination

Ultrasound scan; coupling gel as a potential source of infection

To assess the infective potential of ultrasound gel and probes when used in a routine manner on ambulatory patients with intact skin. At our institute, ultrasound probes are wiped with a non-sterile absorbent paper towel after each patient. The probes become dry and clean in social terms but we were unsure if they also became bacteriologically decontaminated after wiping clean. We also wished to ascertain the intrinsic infective potential of ultrasound gel. Bacteriological samples were taken from probe surface [after wiping it clean as per out protocol]; gel dispensing bottles; and the gel jars that contain the gel in bulk. A total of 61 samples were cultured, out of these 13 were jar samples that were acquired daily on 13 days, 10 from gel bottles and 38 from probe surface [27 before beginning ultrasound, 11 after ending the day's work]. Probe surface samples were collected on sterile cotton wipes dipped in sterile nutrient both; bottle and jar samples were collected by sterile nickel loops and cultured on commercially available nutrient ager. Colonies were counted at 24 and 48 hours. The results show bacterial contamination in all [10/10] gel bottle samples, 7% pre-scan probe surface wipes [2/27] and 27.3% [3/11] on post scan wipes. Gel Jar samples were sterile on the first 3 days and then progressively showed greater colony counts. This showed that the gel is initially sterile but is apparently contaminated from air and it serves as growth medium for bacteria. We conclude that the highest contamination is observed in gel bottle samples [100%]. The lowest contamination was observed from wipes probe sample. This was probably due to repeated cleaning of probes by the operators. Gel jar samples have the second highest contamination but the initial samples showed no growth. The ultrasound gels probably contain no or little antibacterial agent and the gel serves as a growth medium for bacteria

Presence of anemia in different diseases in a medical ward of a tertiary care hospital

The objective of this study is to find out presence of anemia in patients admitted in medical ward of a tertiary care hospital. It is a retrospective, non interventional, observational, hospital based study. Fifty patients of anemia admitted in medical ward 12 of Nishtar Hospital Multan were included in the study. The patients admitted during July 2006 to August 2006. Fifty patients suffering from anemia were studied. The final diagnosis was as chronic liver disease 26%, chronic renal failure 16%, and heart diseases 10%. Lung diseases 10%, infectious diseases 10%, CNS diseases 8% and miscellaneous causes 20%. Miscellaneous includes patients with infections and snake bite. Due to commonly prescribed and easily available different hematinic preparations, deficiency anemias were not common in the hospital settings. In admitted patients presence of low Hb% levels mean a more sinister diagnosis which needs a chain of special investigations for proper diagnosis

Mortality rate in a general medical unit of Nishtar hospital, Multan

To determine the mortality rate in a general medical unit and variation in mortality with relevance to age, sex and disease. All patients admitted in a medical unit of Nishtar Hospital, Multan were included in this study over a period of one month, irrespective of clinical diagnosis. 340 patients were admitted during this period of one month, 181 were male and 159 were female. 30 patients died during hospital stay, 21 were male and 9 were female. Total mortality rate in one month was 8.8% out of which 30% of patients were less than 40 years of age and 70% above the age of 40 years. Cerebrovascular accidents accounted for 9 deaths, cardiac diseases accounted for 7 deaths and hepatic diseases accounted for 7 deaths. Mortality rate is high. It is significantly higher in men compared to women. Mortality rate rises steadily with increasing age and is significantly influenced by underlying disease prognosis. CNS, CVS and Liver diseases were the leading causes of death in our unit

Prevalence of hepatitis 8, C and HIV in blood donors of south Punjab

Background: Hepatitis B, C and AIDS are dreadful diseases transmitted through the blood transfusion. This study was carried out to find out the prevalence of these in blood donors of South Punjab and to compare it with national and international data

Material and Methods: The blood from 25631 donors were screened for hepatitis B,C and HIV

Results: Out of 25631 blood donors, 24447 [95.38%] were male and 1184 [4.62%] were female. Blood was positive in 4.93% for HBsAg, 4.06% for HCV and negative for HIV

Conclusion: The present study has shown a high prevalence of hepatitis B and C in blood donors of South Punjab. HIV was not detected in any blood donor