Neonatal hypothermia among hospitalized high risk newborns in a developing country

To estimate the frequency of neonatal hypothermia and to identify the risk factors associated with it. This cross sectional survey study was conducted from March 2008 to November 2008 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Data was collected with a pre tested data collection tool. Three hundred neonates were included in the study. SPSS v17.0 was used for descriptive analysis. Of the 300 neonates admitted to the neonatal unit, 144 [49.5%] developed hypothermia. The frequency of hypothermia was found to be significantly higher in low birth weight [LBW] 58.1% and preterm 64.2% babies. There is a high frequency of neonatal hypothermia in our setup which is on the higher side of the range reported in comparable regions. LBW and prematurity were independent risk factors as was the external environment at the time of delivery

Diabetes and its treatment by glucagon- like peptide 1 analogs and DI-peptidy 1 peptidase 4 inhibitors

The burden of diabetic patients on healthcare has increased over the period of time. Management of diabetes presents a challenge to the physician. The availability of newer drugs, tested in high quality clinical trials, has marked a new era in the treatment of diabetes. Glucagon-like peptide 1 [GLP-1] analogs act by increasing the pancreatic beta-cell mass and subsequent insulin secretion. Dipeptidase-4 [DPP-4] inhibitors inhibit the enzyme that degrades GLP-1, resulting in the augmentation of GLP-1 in the body. Hence, the two drugs can be used synergistically. It was seen that severe hypoglycemia seldom occurred with GLP-1 analogues and DPP-4 inhibitors. Gastrointestinal upset and the development of antibodies to the drug in the body was mainly attributed to GLP-1 analogs. DPP-4 inhibitors showed increased risk of nasopharyngitis, urinary tract infections and headache. There is a need for further advances in our understanding, through randomized control clinical trials in larger settings, to establish the role and safety of these newer agents in the treatment of diabetes. The initiation of a modern set of medications may help us control type2 diabetes better