ABSTRACT
Paraquat (PQ) is a toxic chemical that is widely used as an herbicide in developing countries. It has been described as a major suicide agent, thus leading to its ban or restriction in use by Environmental Protection Agency in some countries. There is no known chelating agent or antidote for PQ. This study investigated protective effects of antioxidant vitamins C, E and its combination in both pre-treatments and post-treatments. Pre-treatment of rats with vitamins C, E and C+E gave survival rates of 40%, 20%and 20% respectively while post-treatment gave 80%, 20% and 20% respectively when lethal dose (150mg/Kg) of PQ was administered. However, when sub-lethal dose (75mg/Kg) was administered, biochemical investigations revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in cholesterol, SOD, CAT, POD and GPx activities, decreased total protein and triglyceride in PQ treated rats. The extent of lipid peroxidation as measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was more pronounced in the lung than in the liver. Histopathological investigations revealed proliferation of the bile duct and severe centrilobular necrosis in the liver and severe haemorrhage in the lungs of rats treated with PQ alone compared to the control. No visible lesion except hepatic regeneration and mild congestion of the liver and kidney of vitamin C post-treated rats were observed. The results also provided some evidence in respect of the potency of vitamin C post-treatment in conferring some level of protection against PQ-induced oxidative stress by modulating the extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities.
ABSTRACT
Background: Ileal perforation can be a fatal complication of typhoid fever in children as its clinical presentation is often atypical. The risk of death from intestinal perforation in typhoid fever is more than four times when compared with patients without perforation. A high index of suspicion therefore; and early intervention are mandatory to reduce morbidities and deaths due to this disease in children. Aim: To highlight the factors that adversely influence treatment outcome following typhoid ileal perforation in a paediatric population and how they could be modified to reduce morbidity and mortality. Methods: This was a retrospective study whereby medical records of children aged 1 to 15 years with typhoid fever admitted to OAUTHC; Ile-Ife; over a 10-year period; 1994-2004. Results: A total of 38 patients; 20 males and 18 females in the ratio 1.1:1; were managed for typhoid perforation during the 10-year study period. Twenty-nine patients (76.3) survived while 9 (23.7) died. Of the many factors evaluated; only the duration of time before operation was found to significantly influence treatment outcome adversely (P=0.009); while large single or large multiple perforations (P=0.256); severe peritoneal contamination (P=0.291) and extensive surgery (P=0.089) did not. Conclusion: Typhoid ileal perforation has a poor treatment outcome in children in Ile-Ife; Nigeria. The duration of time before operation was the single most important factor that adversely affected treatment outcome. Therefore; swift preoperative resuscitation and early surgical intervention will enhance overall outcome irrespective of the number of perforations; severity of faecal contamination and extent of surgery
Subject(s)
Child , Intestinal Perforation , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Typhoid FeverABSTRACT
Background: There has been an increase in day case surgery for children worldwide; but there have been few reports of the practice (most of them being retrospec-tive) by many of the surgical sub-specialties in the sub-region. The aim of this study was to document our experience with day case inguinal hernia surgery in a developing economy. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of uncomplicated inguinal hernias treated as day case at OAUTHC between April 2004 and December 2004. Data were collected and analysed. Results: Eighty-eight patients were recruited into the study and none defaulted. There were 88 patients; (M:F = 16.6:1). A majority (n = 54) of the hernias occurred on the right side; while just a few (n = 18) occurred on the left. There were 5 cases of wound infections giving an infection rate of 4.8. In all; the morbidity following day case inguinal hernia surgery was slight and no patient required readmission into the hospital. Conclusion: Day case inguinal hernia surgery in children is safe and well accepted by patients and parents alike. Health institutions in which children with inguinal hernias still queue for long periods for space on the operation list need to adopt day case surgery for inguinal hernia in order to forestall the risk of their obstruction