Screening for neonatal hearing loss in the Eastern region of United Arab Emirates

The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss among infants in the neonatal intensive unit [NICU] is higher than in normal infants. This study determined the rate of hearing loss in healthy newborns and in NICU patients before hospital discharge at a single institution in the Eastern region of the United Arab Emirates; 96.5% of all eligible infants were screened. Hearing deficit was diagnosed in 25/13 854 healthy newborns [0.18%; 95% CI: 0.12%-0.27%] and 14/826 infants in the NICU [1.7%; 95% CI: 0.9%-2.8%]. Although hearing impairment was significantly more common in those admitted to the NICU [RR = 9.4; 95% CI: 4.9-17.9], healthy newborns accounted for 25 of the 39 cases with hearing loss. The rate of congenital hearing deficit was comparable to international data. Universal screening is recommended since selective screening of high-risk infants missed two-thirds of newborns with hearing loss

Seroepidemiology of varicella-zoster in Pakistan.

The availability of safe and effective vaccines has renewed interest in the epidemiology of varicella worldwide. To date published data on the epidemiology of varicella in Pakistan is very scarce. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the age-specific seroprevalence rate of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibodies in Pakistan. Between December 1997 and March 1998, 1,509 healthy volunteers aged between 1 month and 30 years were recruited from the Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi areas. Demographic information, socioeconomic status and past medical history were obtained by questionnaire. Serum samples were assayed for IgG antibodies against VZV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall 41.8% (600/1,435) of those tested were found to be seropositive for VZV antibodies. No difference was found in results obtained from the different cities. A higher seroprevalence was observed among women (45.2%) compared to men (39.6%). Seroprevalence rates increased with age and were 28.4% in those aged 0-5 years, 41.5% in the 6-10 year age group, 42.5% in the 11-15 year age group, 46.7% in the 16-20 year age group and 53.6% in those aged 21-30 years. Socioeconomic status was not a significant risk factor for VZV seropositivity. This is the first report of the seroepidemiology of VZV in Pakistan. The results indicate that seroprevalence of VZV increases with age in the Pakistani population studied. As in other tropical countries, there is greater susceptibility to varicella among the adolescent and young adult population. The results of this study suggest that these at-risk groups should be included in vaccination programs aimed at reducing the public health impact of varicella.

Pattern of head injury in Faisalabad

This study was conducted at the department of neurosurgery Allied Hospital Faisalabad where a total of 1526 patients of head injury were admitted during four years from January 1992 to December 1995. Road traffic accident was major cause of head injury in adult age group and fall from height in pediatric age group. Ignorance from law, poor compliance of legislation, bad planning of houses were main factors causing head injury. Gun shot injuries and head injuries due to assault are gradually increasing. The age group with greatest incidence aged 5-40 years. Mortality in different types of head injuries is also discussed and the information gathered from this study would suggest the need to establish a head injury prevention program in our country. This of course implies major co-operation among the providers of health care delivery, the medical profession. Legislators and the government at all levels