ABSTRACT
Studies on the effect of lamotrigine on fetal brain are limited. The present experimental study was conducted to explore any macroscopic or microscopic changes in fetal brain induced by lamotrigine. Pregnant albino wistar rats received 1.5 mg oral lamotrigine on day 9 to 11 of pregnancy and the pups were harvested on day 20. The mean body weight and length were lower and brain weight and volume were higher of the pups exposed to lamotrigine. However, the differences were not statistically significant. Some of the experimental pups had exencephaly and haemorrhages over the body. Histology of the brain revealed that in lamotrigine treated group, the lateral ventricles were dilated and the plexiform layer of the cerebral cortex was relatively less differentiated.
ABSTRACT
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal disorder of pluripotential stem cells of the bone marrow. The purpose of the study was to obtain epidemiological data of MDS. Thirty cases of MDS presented from April 1998 to May 2006 are included in this study. Complete blood counts were performed in an automated cell counter. Bone marrow aspiration, trephine biopsy and chromosomal study were carried out. The dry film was stained using a Romanwasky stain and Perl's stain. Fifteen cases were male and 15 cases were female. The mean age at presentation was 55 years (range 8-73 years). A majority of the patients presented with weakness (63.33%). Autoimmune manifestations in the form of joint pain were present in 13.33%. Patients were symptomatic for a prolonged period before diagnosis could be reached (average 358.8 days). A majority of the patients had MDS-refractory anemia (MDS-RA) or MDS-RA with excess blasts (MDS-RAEB-2) at presentation. Three patients had chromosomal abnormalities (27.27%). Eight patients (26.7%) were relatively young at presentation, less than 50 years of age. Three (10%) were children. A majority of the patients opted for symptomatic treatment only.