Frequency of diarrhoeal disease in breastfed infants visiting Isra university hospital Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan

Objective: To assess the frequency of diarrhoeal disease in exclusive, partial and non breast fed infants visiting Isra University Hospital Hyderabad

Study design: A Hospital based descriptive study

Place and duration: Department of Paediatrics Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad from 5[th] Jan 2013 to 7[th] Sep, 2013

Methodology: A structural questionnaire was designed and filled with the consent of mothers of infants. A sample of 200 infants of 0-6 month age suffering from diarrhoeal disease was randomly selected from outpatient department and indoor paediatric ward. A relevant history with reference to breast feeding was taken and the clinical examination was done. The data was analyzed on SPSS 16.0

Result: The mean age was 4.6 +/- 1.3 years. Of total 200 cases of infantile diarrhoea, [n=40] 20% were exclusive breastfed, [n=105] 52.5% were partially breastfed and [n=55] 27.5% were non breastfed. Acute diarrhoea was the most frequent complaint [35%] followed by vomiting [22.5%] and fever [7.5%]

Conclusion: The findings of present study show less frequency of diarrhoeal disease in exclusive breast fed infants compared to partial and non-breast fed

Frequency of hepatitis E among patients visiting rural health centre

To determine frequency of Hepatitis E among patients visiting rural health centre Ranipur Sindh. Retrospective study .The study was conducted in patients visiting OPD at rural Health Centre Ranipur from June 2011 To February 2012. The study was conducted in patients visiting OPD with the complaints of gastrointestinal symptoms and jaundice. A designed, structural Performa was filled with the consent of the patients after taking permission from hospital administration. A sample random technique was used to get blood sample and sent to the local laboratory for screening Hepatitis E through Immunochromatography method. 10 to 50 years aged male and female patients were included in the study. The data was analyzed using SPSS 16. Total 2118 patients were screened. 98 [4.27%] cases were positive for Hepatitis E. Among them, the frequency of HEV was highest in children [10-15 years], followed by young adults [16-30] and older adults [31-50]. In all patients, females were 58% and males were 42%. In this study we found significant number of HEV cases, among whom the larger number was from children. In all age groups, females were more affected. Further research should be done for making plans and designed strategies to prevent the epidemic of HEV

Frequency of cutaneous leishmaniasis among residents of flood camps of gari Khairo and Dadu

Objectives: To observe the cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] in the flood affectee camps residents of Gari Khairo and Dadu districts of Sindh

Study Design: A Cross sectional study

Place And Duration: Flood affectee camps of Ghari Khairo and Dadu Districts, from July-December 2010

Methodology: A sample of 478 subjects having skin lesions was included in this cross sectional study. Skin lesions were observed clinically for the characteristics peculiar to the CL. Skin smears taken form skin lesions were stained with Giemsa or Leishman stains to detect Leishman-Donovan bodies. Definitive diagnosis of CL was made on the basis of clinical findings and skin smear as defined by WHO. Data was collected on a pre-structured proforma. Verbal consent was sought from the subjects. Variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. The data was analyzed on SPSS version 17.0 [Chicago, IL, USA] for windows release

Results: Out of 478, the CL was diagnosed in 111 [23.22%] subjects. Out of 111 subjects, 56 [50.4%] were male and 55 [49.6%] were female. The mean age in children, male and female was 6.3+/-4.1, 47+/-11.2, and 51+/-9.8 years respectively. The predominant lesions noted were indurated erythematous plaque, followed by plaque with crusted margins, nodules, papules and non-healing ulcers. Most of the CL lesions were noted on face followed by hand, feet and mixed sites respectively

Conclusion: We report that the cutaneous leishmaniasis is spreading in Sindh and unnoticed cases are present as a source of this vector borne disease

Evaluation of serum lipid profile lipid profile during pregnancy during the trimesters of pregnancy

During pregnancy, lipid metabolism is remarkably increased due to hormonal changes, which lead to various changes in serum lipid levels. Very high levels of lipids can have adverse effects on the maternal and foetal health. To analyze serum total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TGs], low density lipoprotein [LDL] and high density lipoprotein [HDL] in pregnant women during all trimesters. Retrospective [hospital record based] study Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Gynaecology and Obstetrics ward at Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro and Hyderabad from March 2011 to February 2012. 5ml blood sample was taken and analyzed for lipid profile using Hitachi 902 chemistry autoanalyzer. The data was analyzed by using SPSS 16. The results showed that all these lipid parameters were raised during the all trimesters of pregnancy in comparison to the control subjects, except that the LDL level was almost equal to the control subjects during the 1[st] trimester. Additionally, comparison showed that Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides and LDL in the 2[nd] and 3[rd] trimesters were significantly higher than in the 1[st] trimester. Serum lipids are significantly increased during the all trimesters of pregnancy. As very high levels of lipids may increase the risk of development of various pregnancy complications for the mother and the developing foetus, lipid profile should be part of routine investigation during pregnancy

Clinical presentation and drug resistance patterns of Salmonellae typhi and paratyphi at a tertiary care hospital of Sindh

The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical presentation and drug resistance patterns of Salmonellae typhi and paratyphi. Observational Descriptive Study. This study was conducted at the Muhammad Medical Hospital Mirpurkhas, from Jan 2010 to April 2011. One hundred twenty six patients were studied, who satisfied the clinical and laboratory criteria of typhoid/ paratyphoid fever. The blood samples, 5-10 ml from adults were inoculated directly into blood culture bottles. Subcultures were also performed. Antibiotic sensitivity was tested by the Kirby-Bauer technique according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS version 10.9 [Chicago, Illinosis, USA], using the chi-square test and student's t-test for the qualitative and quantitative variables respectively. The identified organisms were S.typhi observed in 91 [72.22%], both S typhi/paratyphi in 18 [14.28%] and S.paratyphi A and B in the rest 17 [13.49%]. In 97 [76.98%] of patients, antibody O titers were >/= 1:160 and in 39 [30.95%] titers were <1:160. The overall multi-drug resistant isolates were found in >80% for the first line agent's i.e.; ampicillin, amoxicillin, cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol. The highest sensitivity rate was found for the cefixime [98.41%] and the lowest one for the ampicillin [22.2%]. We found drug resistant and multi-drug resistant salmonellae in our study; this may be because of antibiotic use as self medication, medication by pharmacist and quacks