Retinopathy of prematurity in India: incidence, risk factors, outcome and the applicability of current screening criteria

Background: To study the incidence, risk factors and outcome of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in at-risk newborns at tertiary care hospital in Vadodara.Methods: Preterm infants with birth weight ?2000 gm and gestation ?34 weeks were screened for ROP at 4 weeks of birth for first screening or if <28 week or <1200 grams then at 3 weeks after delivery. Infants with birth weight >2000 gm and gestation >34 weeks were screened only if they had additional risk factors. Those found to have high risk ROP were treated.Results: The incidence of ROP in 286 infants who were screened was 24.1%, 12 ROP positive cases were having birth weight >2000 gm. On multivariate analysis risk factors predisposing to ROP (P<0.05) were birth asphyxia, Sepsis, multiple blood transfusion, respiratory distress syndrome, multiple birth, antenatal steroid use and Phototherapy. Out of 69 infants who developed ROP, 6(8.7%) needed invasive management.Conclusions: Risk factors predisposing to ROP were gestational age and birth weight alone and along with the various risk factors like birth asphyxia, sepsis, multiple blood transfusion, respiratory distress syndrome, multiple birth, antenatal steroid use and phototherapy. The occurrence of ROP is trending towards a rise including newborns with higher birth weight and gestational age in developing countries; hence necessitating to use different guideline for Screening of Newborns in these developing countries.

Post renal transplant infections: One year follow up study

Introduction: Transplantation returns the majority of patients to an improved life-style and an improved life expectancy, as compared to patients on dialysis; however, careful prospective cohorts studies have yet to be reported. Infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients, with more than 80% suffering at least one episode of infection in the first year. The risk for infection is strongly determined by an interaction between epidemiologic exposures and net state of immunosuppression. Aim and objectives: To study the prevalence of infections in the post renal transplant recipients, to find out the most common cause of infections in post renal transplant patients, to find out the frequency of infections in early and late phase of renal transplantation. Materials and methods: Patients who reached end stage renal disease and who underwent Renal Transplantation in our hospital was prospectively followed up for infections for a period of 1 year. Results: A total of 77 transplant recipients were included in our study. Out of which, 50 recipients (69.44%) had infections during follow up. 32 recipients (64 %) had infections involving more than one system. The infectious were common within the first 6 months of surgery and most of them occurred within the first month of surgery. Conclusions: Urinary Tract infection was the most common confection occurring in the post renal transplant recipients.

Clinical Outcomes of Renal Transplantation in Hepatitis C Virus Positive Recipients

Background: Hepatitis C virus infection confers 1.62-2.39 fold increase in risk of death for hemodialysis patients. The quality of life, morbidity and mortality of chronic kidney disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis is worse when compared to the quality of life, morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing renal transplantation. For these reasons, renal transplantation is better therapeutic option for hepatitis C virus infected patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Aim: To study of clinical outcomes of renal transplantation in hepatitis C virus positive renal transplantation recipients. Materials and methods: Single arm prospective observational study done on 28 hepatitis C virus positive patients who underwent either live related or deceased donor transplantation in our department during 2010 -2013 were followed in our ward and outpatient department. Results: Delayed graft function was present in 11 (39%) patients. Acute cellular rejection was present in 8 patients (26%). New onset of diabetes mellitus after transplant (NODAT)/ Post Transplant Diabetes Mellitus (PTDM) was present in 16 patients (57%). Sepsis occurred in 17 recipients (61%). Cytomegalovirus infection was present in 11 recipients (39%). Invasive fungal infection was present in 7 recipients (25%). Conclusion: The short term patient and graft survival of HCV positive recipients was better. There was high incidence of NODAT in HCV positive recipients, and occurrence of NODAT was within 3 months after transplant. The incidence of sepsis and cytomegalovirus in HCV positive recipients was higher, it is better to keep minimal level of immunosuppression. The incidence of acute rejection, interstitial fibrosis, fungal infection and graft survival in HCV positive recipients was not statistically Surendran Sujit, N. Gopalakrishnan. Clinical Outcomes of Renal Transplantation in Hepatitis C Virus Positive Recipients. IAIM, 2016; 3(8): 45-52. Page 46 significant from HCV negative recipients. The short duration of follow up is a main limitation of the study

Factors associated with the willingness to quit smoking among a cohort of university students in the KSA

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of the willingness to quit smoking among a cohort of male Saudi students

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was administered to a cohort of male students that were recruited from three institutes of higher education. Using the retrieved data, bivariate analysis and logistic regres-sion tests were performed to assess the factors associated with the willingness to quit smoking

Results: Of 467 participants, 24% of respondents were current smokers, while 65% of these smokers were willing to quit smoking. In the bivariate analysis, past attempts to quit smoking and the anti-smoking messages on TV and in newspapers were significantly associated with the willingness to quit smoking. Only one variable -past attempts to quit smoking - was a significant predictor of the willingness to quit smoking, as shown by the multi-variate logistic regression analysis

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that Saudi male students who smoke are willing to quit smoking; having unsuccessfully attempted to quit smoking in the past, they are willing to try again. Successful programs should be developed for male university students in KSA to assist them in their quest to quit smoking and maintain cessation

Assessment of professional competency and need of smoking cessation counseling for dental students / 보건의료교육평가

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the smoking prevalence among dental students and to assess the need for promoting tobacco education and intervention by exploring their knowledge about smoking related risk factors. The study also examined the attitudes and practices of the students toward tobacco consumption, and their responsibilities toward the community. METHODS: In total, 53 male students participated in the study (21 juniors and 32 seniors). The training program was divided into three modules, and the questionnaire was administered before and after the counseling sessions, which provided the comparative data on the students' views about smoking cessation. RESULTS: The most commonly practiced mode of tobacco consumption was found to be cigarette smoking (90.6%), while a few consumed Gutkha (9.4%). All the junior students (100%) reported to have been benefitted by the counseling program, while 68.8% of the students from the senior group reported the same. Bivariate statistical analysis was conducted using the Pearson's chi-square test for testing the difference across the age groups. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Curbing tobacco influence on dental students in their initial days can ensure a smoke-free life for them, as well as prevents them from feeling embarrassed or experiencing a lack of confidence while seeing their patients. Thus, tobacco education and intervention programs can motivate the students and increase their potential to be credible advisors regarding smoking cessation.