ABSTRACT
@#Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is rare with the common presentation of megaduodenum from entrapment of the third part of the duodenum (D3) by the SMA. We present a case report of a thin, fit 16-year-old boy, active smoker complaining of generalized colicky abdominal pain associated with persistent postprandial vomiting. Small bowel study demonstrated partial duodenal obstruction from compression of the third part of the duodenum by the SMA. Computed tomography of the abdomen shows an aorto-mesenteric angle of 13 degrees with aorto-mesenteric distance of 0.32 cm, indicating SMA syndrome. His symptoms resolved spontaneously with watchful waiting and nutritional care plan. The success was contributed to restoring the fat cushion around the SMA, hence, widening the aorto-mesenteric angle. In conclusion, watchful waiting with a nutritional care plan is a feasible initial strategy in the approach to SMA syndrome. However, should this strategy be unsuccessful, the choice of surgical treatment is duodenojejunostomy.
ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Acceptance of a screening programme for thalassemia is important in managing the disease and its associated complications. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge of thalassemia and factors associated with thalassemia screening refusal among parents of secondary school children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from May 2017 to October 2017 among parents of fourth form students in three schools in Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia. Parents who are able to read and understand Malay and consented to the study were required to answer a validated questionnaire on their knowledge regarding thalassemia. They were also asked the reason for their acceptance or refusal of the thalassemia screening of their children. Results: In total, 273 participants took part in the study. The mean thalassemia knowledge score was 11.8 out of a maximum score of 21. Low knowledge scores (adjusted odds ratio [adj OR] 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79, 0.95; P = 0.002) and female sex (adj OR 2.60; 95% CI: 1.04, 6.53; P = 0.040) had significant associations with parental thalassemia screening refusal. The main reason for screening refusal was that parents perceived that their children were not at risk for the disease since they did not have a family member with thalassemia. Conclusion: The mean thalassemia knowledge score among parents remains unsatisfactory. A high knowledge score is important since it is associated with parental acceptance of thalassemia screening for their children.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the early detection of thrombocytopenia in women presenting with varying degree of pregnancy induced hypertension [PIH]. Study Design: A case control study. Place of Study: Hematology laboratory Isra University Hospital Hyderabad. Duration of Study: From July 2009 to December 2010
Materials and Methods: Total 130 pregnant women were included in this study. The subjects were divided into three groups as Group 1 with pre-eclampsia, Group 2 with eclampsia and Group 3 with normotensive pregnant women as control group. The Group 1 was further divided into two sub groups such as Subgroup 1a with mild preeclampsia and Sub-group 2b with severe pre-eclampsia
Results: Anticoagulated whole blood samples [5cc] from all subjects were analyzed for the detection of thrombocytopenia for the possible involvement of pregnancy induced hypertension. It was noted that out of total subjects, 33[25.39%] had mild pre-eclampsia, 17[13.07%] had severe preeclampsia, 15[11.54%] had eclampsia and 65 [50.0%] were normotensive pregnant women. Based on the comparative findings, the results showed significant differences between group 3 and group 1a [p-value 0.001], group 3 and group 1b [p-value 0.001], group 2 and group 3 also showed same results [p-value 0.001] but the subjects of group 1a and 1b when compared, showed non-significant findings [p value 0.955]
Conclusion: The results suggested that early detection of platelet count provide significant role for the assessment of severity of disease in women with pregnancy induced hypertension when compared with normotensive pregnant women