Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vitamin a Deficiency in Children and Women of Child Bearing Age

Background: Vitamin A also plays a role in the morphology and physiology of the eyeball. The present study was conducted to assess prevalence and risk factors of vitamin A deficiency among children and women. Methods: The present study was conducted on 96 children of age ranged 5-12 years and their mothers of both genders. Parents of toddlers were asked for symptoms, suggesting that the child may have poor vision in dim light. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Serum retinol levels were measured for all participants high-performance liquid. Results: Out of 96 patients, boys were 54 and girls were 42. Out of 54 boys, 7 boys and out of 42 girls, 4 girls had vitamin A deficiency. 56 mothers had low SES, 28 had medium and 12 had high. Mother education was upto college level in 28 and upto high school in 78. Number of children in family was >2 seen in 52 and 2 in 44 parents. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was found to be 11.45%. Risk factors were low socio- economic status, >2 children in family and low education level of mothers.

Prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Individuals Having Type- II Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a devastating metabolic disorder that places an economic burden. The present study was conducted to assess prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type II diabetics. Methods: The present study was conducted on 114 type II diabetes patients of both genders. Patients were subjected to fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin to know diabetic status. A thorough clinical examination was done. Physical signs such as numbness, ulcerations loss of reflexes were recorded. Results: Out of 114 patients, males were 64 and females were 50. Out of 114 patients, 46 (40.3%) had PNP. In patients with PDN, 32 had ulcerations and 38 had numbness of limbs. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). There were 2 cases of DPN with 5 years, 10 cases with 5-10 years and 34 cases with >10 years of DPN. The difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Authors found that among type II diabetic patients, 46 had diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Autopsy findings of miliary tuberculosis in a renal transplant recipient

Miliary tuberculosis is a lethal form of disseminated tuberculosis (TB), deriving its name from the millet-seed-sized granulomas in multiple organs. As TB still remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India, its disseminated forms need to be diagnosed early to ensure more aggressive treatment at the earliest possible time. However, a considerable number of cases are missed ante-mortem. We discuss the case of a 32-year-old immunocompromised, non-HIV patient with an ante-mortem diagnosis of pulmonary TB. However, multiple organ involvement by was demonstrated on autopsy. This case highlights the role of autopsy as a research and learning tool, and prudential clinico-pathologic correlation, which will improve clinical outcomes in the future.