ABSTRACT
Background: Beta-thalassemia is one of the common genetic disorders in our community. Therefore, it is deem necessary to study and probe it to encompass all aspects of this disorder
Objectives: The objective of the study was to find out the distribution of beta-thalassemia in different age groups, prevalence of transfusion related viral infections and serum ferritin levels
Methodology: All cases of thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia registered with the Centre for Thalassemia Care, Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, were included in the study. The cases were divided into three different age groups, i.e. 0-5 years, 5.1-10 years, 10.1 years and above. The cases were diagnosed as of beta-thalassemia by history and examination, peripheral blood picture, hemoglobin electrophoresis and confirmed by genetic analysis. All cases were screened for HCV, HBV, and HIV. Some of the cases were tested for serum ferritin levels
Results: Two hundred and eighty three [63% males and 37% females] registered cases of beta-thalassemia were included in the study. Two hundred fifty seven [91%] patients were suffering from thalassemia major and 26 [9%] were having thalassemia intermedia. Out of 283 cases, 196 [69%] were belonging to rural areas and 87 [31%] were residing in urban areas. Fifty-five [19.4%] beta-thalassemic patients were found to be positive with anti-HCV antibody and 3[1%] cases were positive for HBV surface antigen. There was a significant difference [p<0.05] between the means of serum ferritin levels in thalassemia major [2775] and thalassemia intermedia cases [1519]
Conclusion: Majority of thalassemic patients were suffering from beta-thalassemia major. Males were predominantly suffering from beta-thalassemia major while in thalassemia intermedia sex distribution was almost equal. The overall prevalence of beta thalassemia in rural areas was comparatively high. Nineteen per cent of beta-thalassemia patients were positive for anti-HCV antibody. There was significant difference in means of ferritin levels among the patients of thalassemia major and of thalassemia intermedia
ABSTRACT
Background: The carrier state of hepatitis B and C has been emerging in our community. Thousands of deaths have occurred as the consequences of these viral infections
Objective: To evaluate the prevalence rate of hepatitis B and C among healthy blood donors
Subjects and Methods: A cross-ssectional study was carried out at Sheikh Zayed Medical College Hospital/Rahim Yar Khan. The data was taken from the Blood transfusion Units from the District and Tehsil Headquarter Blood Transfusion Units located at Sadiqabad, Khanpur and Liaqatpur Hospitals
Method: The subjects were the healthy young blood donors. They were screened for HBsAg and anti-HCV using ICT screening kits. The data was collected from the monthly Blood Donor Reports present in the Blood Transfusion Units
Results: A total of 2,17,847 healthy, young blood donors from 1st January 2009 to 31st August 2014 were screened for HBV and HCV. Of these, 5143 [2.4%] were found to be positive for HBsAg and 6407 [2.9%] were positive for anti-HCV. At the District Unit [draining mostly urban areas], 2,03,522 subjects were screened. Of these, 4449 [2.2%] were positive for HBsAg and 5611 [2.7%] were positive for anti-HCV. For Tehsil Units [draining mostly rural areas], total 14,325 subjects were screened, of these 694 [4.8%] were positive for HBsAg and 789 [5.5%] were positive for anti-HCV
Conclusion: Our study showed that prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among healthy blood donors is high and it is comparatively low in urban areas as compared to peripheral rural areas of district Rahim Yar Khan
ABSTRACT
Glucose-6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase [G-6PD] deficiency is the commonest enzymopathy in human beings. It is transmitted as X-linked recessive disorder. Acute hemolytic crisis is the most common presentation of G-6PD deficiency, but in neonatal period it usually presents as jaundice. To find out the proportion of G-6PD deficiency cases in patients with neonatal pathological hyperbilirubinemia and study the clinical course of disease. The study was conducted at the neonatal unit of The Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore from January 2000 - April 2001. One hundred jaundiced neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in pathologic range [peak serum bilirubin more than 12 mg/dl in full term and more than 15 mg/dl in preterm neonates] were included. Screening for G-6PD deficiency was done by dye decolorization test, which is semi quantitative, visual colorimetric assay. Out of 100 study cases, 62% were male and 38% were female. 10% of the cases were found to be G-6PD deficient; all were male. One case of G-6PD deficiency developed jaundice during first 24 hrs of life, 8 cases between 1 -7 days and one case after 7 days of life. Peak serum bilirubin levels in neonates with G-6PD deficiency were < 20 mg/dl in 2 cases, 20-30 mg/dl in 6 cases and >30 mg/dl in 2 cases. Evidence of hemolysis [reticulocyte count >5% and Hb% <12.5 gm%] was present in two neonates. In the G-6PD deficiency group, 40% of the cases underwent exchange transfusion compared to 26.6% of cases in the G-6PD normal group. One neonate with G-6PD deficiency had kernicterus at admission. Two neonates with G-6PD deficiency died, due to culture proven sepsis. G-6PD assay should be included in all jaundiced neonates with unexplained neonatal unconjugated pathological hyperbilirubinemia. G-6PD deficiency associated neonatal jaundice is not only hemolytic in origin, but is also related to the impairment of hepatic bilirubin conjugation and excretion