Effect of body mass index on physical self concept, cognition & academic performance of first year medical students.

Background & objectives: The relationship between obesity and self perception, particularly in children and young adults has important implications for physical and psychosocial health and well-being. A better understanding of this relationship could help target psychology services and public health strategies more effectively. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of body mass index (BMI) on physical self concept and cognition of the first year medical undergraduate students in a medical college in north India. The relationship between physical self concept and academic performance and presence of any gender differences were also examined. Methods: The study was carried out on 18-21 yr old first year M.B.B.S. students of Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. Physical self concept was assessed using short version of Physical Self Description Questionnaire (PSDQ-S) which is a psychometrically strong instrument for measuring multiple dimensions of physical self-concept. Cognition was assessed by P300 evoked potentials and academic performance was evaluated on the basis of marks obtained in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry subjects. Results: There was no association between BMI and physical self-concept or between BMI and cognition. Gender differences on physical self-concept were also insignificant. No correlation was seen between physical self-concept and academic performance. Interpretation & conclusion: The present results suggest that negative consequences of high body mass index on physical self-concept and cognition are not seen in young adults. It may be that academic achievement nullifies the effect on physical self-concept and the effect on cognition accumulates as the age progresses, therefore, appears later in life.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura complicating pregnancy.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a relatively common but unrecognised auto-immune disorder among women of child bearing age. Nearly one-third of patients present with bleeding tendency in pregnancy. Management necessitates care of mother during pregnancy and delivery and care of the baby. Steroids remain the chief, economical and effective method of raising platelet counts, but platelet transfusion and human intravenous high dose alpha-globulin may be required. Neonatal thrombocytopenia must be expected and managed. Management of patient, since it concerns two lives, should be individualised and carefully planned in consultation with haematologist and paediatrician.

Spinal motoneuron excitability in iron deficiency anaemia.

Decreased tissue oxygenation resulting from iron deficiency anaemia produces generalized weakness and fatigue. The precise physiological mechanism underlying this weakness is unknown and studies in this regard have been scarce. One possible underlying mechanism has been suggested to be reduction of spinal motoneuron excitability. F waves are low amplitude motor responses to nerve stimulation, produced by antidromic activation of the peripheral motor fibers, resulting in recurrent discharge of motoneurons. F waves have been established as an efficient tool to assess spinal motoneuron excitability. 15 patients of iron deficiency anaemia using inclusion criteria of hemoglobin level < 9 g/dL and serum ferritin < 15 microg/L were studied. 8 controls with hemoglobin levels > 12 g/ dL were also included. Bilateral median and common peroneal F wave studies were performed. F wave mean latency, chronodispersion, persistence and mean amplitude were studied. They were within the normal range and no significant differences between the patients and the controls were found. We conclude that spinal motoneuron excitability is not reduced in iron deficiency anaemia. A decreased tissue oxygenation leading to a change in the brain neurotransmitters may have a role to play.