The normal range of maximal incisal opening in pediatric population and its association with physical variables

Background: Restricted mouth opening is a common complaint in patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders, ankylosis, impaired masticatory muscle function, rheumatic disease, infection, or malignancy. As with any disease, the aim of treatment of disorders affecting mouth opening is to restore the mouth opening to its normal value. It is thus of paramount importance to determine the normal value. Objective: To establish the normal range of maximal incisal opening (MIO) in children aged 4 to 15 years and to investigate the correlation between MIO and age, gender, height, and body weight. Materials and Methods: Six hundred and two children from various schools in Bengaluru, India, participated in the study. The children were divided into the following age groups: 4­5, 6­7, 8­9, 10­11, 12­13, and 14­15 years. MIO for the children was recorded using Therabite® scale. The measurements of MIO were then correlated with gender, body weight, and height of the children in different age groups. Results: It was observed that MIO gradually increased with age with a mean MIO of 41.34 mm at 4­5 years to a mean MIO of 51.73 mm at 14­15 years. The mean MIO value for males (48.90 ± 6.49 mm) was found to be higher when compared to that of females (46.17 ± 5.58 mm). The results indicated a strong positive correlation of MIO with height and weight. Conclusion: MIO gradually increased with age in both the genders, and a strong positive correlation of MIO with height and weight was observed

Evaluation of an anti-diuretic activity of fluvoxamine in albino rats.

Background: Diabetes insipidus is a disease characterized by high amounts of urine excretion. Antidiuretic drugs are used to treat this condition. Hence, our study intends to evaluate the anti-diuretic effect of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in albino rats. Methods: Albino rats were divided into three groups of six animals each. The control group was fed with distilled water 10 ml/kg body weight, standard group received 4 units of vasopressin and test group received fluvoxamine 18 mg/kg body weight. On the day of experiment, diuresis was induced in all the groups by giving frusemide in a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight after loading with saline at 25 ml/kg body weight. The animals were confined in diuretic cage for a period of 5 hrs and urine output was noted. Urine was analyzed for electrolyte concentration (Na+, K+, Cl−). Results: There was significant reduction in urine output in the test group of animals when compared to the control group. Electrolyte concentration revealed relatively concentrated urine when compared to the control group. Conclusions: Fluvoxamine has a significant anti-diuretic action in the albino rats.