Association of foot length and gestational maturity in neonates: a single centre study

Background: As the prematurity is one of the important causes of neonatal mortality/ morbidity in a developing country like India. It is important to differentiate between preterm and term babies and timely refer them to higher centre. But it's difficult to assess the Gestation age (GA) in rural areas by existing methods like New Ballard score, and Antenatal ultrasound (due to lack of equipment and experienced person). So that shows the importance of the alternative, reliable, and easy to use method for identification of term, preterm and post-term babies. The present study carried out to find out the importance of Foot length in the assessment of GA.Methods: It is a hospital-based prospective observational study, 253 newborns were included in the study. The GA assessment was done by using New Ballard score. Foot length measured by using Digital sliding calliper and birth weight were recorded. Correlation of Fetal foot length with GA and birth weight was made by using appropriate statistical tests.Results: Among 253 neonates distribution of term, preterm, male and female were 65%, 35 %, 55%, 45% respectively. In this study positive Correlation between foot length and gestational age was found with the 'r' value of 0.77. The study also showed a correlation between foot length and weight with the 'r' value of 0.74.Conclusions: To conclude most of the newborn in our study have a good correlation of Foot length with gestational maturity and Birthweight. Derived equation from this study can be used as an alternative to New Ballard score in the estimation of gestational age in poor sources situations like in rural areas and also in emergencies by ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activist) & Anganwadi workers.

Umbilical cord albumin and serum bilirubin as predictive factors for hyperbilirubinemia in term neonates

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the common causes of neonatal admission. As clinical evaluation may cause a delay in identification and subsequent initiation of medical therapy, there is a need for the sensitive and inexpensive predictive marker for hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. Measurement of cord albumin and its correlation with the serum bilirubin is one of the noninvasive predictive markers for Hyperbilirubinemia. The present study carried out to know the significance of umbilical cord albumin level as a predictor of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.Methods: It is a hospital-based prospective cohort study, total 100 healthy term new-borns admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, were included in the study as per study protocol over a period of one year. The blood sample was collected from umbilical cord blood for the analysis of bilirubin and albumin, and post 72 hours of life venous blood obtained for estimation of serum bilirubin and albumin along with direct and indirect Coombs test.Results: In this study most of the patients were in the gestational age of 37-38 weeks (71%) followed by 38-40 weeks (27%) and only 1% are >40 weeks. A positive correlation was observed between cord blood bilirubin, serum bilirubin, serum albumin, and cord blood albumin levels. Cord blood albumin was a better marker for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia with a sensitivity of 83%, and a specificity of 48%; as compared to cord blood bilirubin with a sensitivity and specificity of 73% and 39% respectively.Conclusions: From this study, cord blood albumin level was demonstrated as a good predictive marker for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia with a sensitivity of 83.1%. and specificity 48.8%. Hence, cord blood albumin may be used as a non-invasive predictor for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Self limiting fetal bradycardia associated with maternal evidence of dengue and chikungunya virus co-infection: a case report

Dengue and chikungunya infections are commonly encountered by the clinicians in a tropical country like India. We report this case to emphasize the rare manifestations of self-limiting intrapartum bradycardia in fetuses of chikungunya and dengue infected mothers. A primigravida at 32 weeks of gestation presented with history of fever for one day. The blood investigations were positive for both dengue and chikungunya virus infection. On the third day of fever, NST showed a low baseline fetal heart rate of 95 to 100 beats per minute but good beat to beat variability and three accelerations in 10 minutes. This pattern persisted for 48 hours. Although, the finding initially appeared alarming, the change in baseline heart rate of fetus was transient and self-limiting and recovered completely. Hence, a judicious approach and close fetal surveillance can avoid hasty decisions regarding an early termination of pregnancy.

Atlantoaxial joint distraction as a treatment for basilar invagination: A report of an experience with 11 cases.

Objective: A novel method of treatment of basilar invagination that involves distraction of the atlantoaxial joint using specially designed spiked spacers is described. Bone graft that is additionally placed within the appropriately prepared atlantoaxial joint and posterior to the arch of atlas and lamina of C2 provides bony fusion. Materials and Methods: Between December 2002 and April 2007, 11 patients underwent the discussed method of fixation at the Department of Neurosurgery, King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, India. All 11 patients had "congenital" basilar invagination and the symptoms were progressive in nature. Results: The mean follow-up period was 21 months (range 8-40 months). Neurological improvement and successful distraction with atlantoaxial stabilization and ultimate bone fusion was achieved in all the patients and was documented with dynamic radiography. There were no neurological, vascular, or infective complications. Conclusions: We conclude that the described method of atlantoaxial joint distraction and fixation provides an alternative treatment strategy for cases with basilar invagination. "Joint distraction" as a stand-alone method could provide reduction of basilar invagination and firm stabilization in such cases.

Fiber dissection of the visual pathways: Analysis of the relationship of optic radiations to lateral ventricle: A cadaveric study.

Objective: Using a fiber-dissection technique, our aim is to study the fiber bundles of the optic radiation. We focused on the course, the length, anatomical relations with lateral ventricle and the relevance of these finding during surgery in the region. Materials and Methods: Five previously frozen and formalin-fixed cadaveric human brains were used. The dissection was done using the operating microscope. Fiber dissection techniques described by Klingler were adopted. The primary dissection tools were handmade, thin, and wooden and curved metallic spatulas with tips of various sizes. Lateral and inferior temporal approaches were made and the optic fiber tracts were dissected. Results: Resections that extend through the roof of the temporal horn more than 30 mm behind the temporal pole cross the Meyer's loop. In the middle temporal gyrus approach, resection that is taken through the lateral wall of the temporal horn more than 55-60 mm behind the temporal pole may cross the optic radiation during their course here on the lateral wall. Conclusion: The presented fiber dissection study clarifies the relationship of optic radiation. Such fiber dissection studies are only few in the literature.

High cervical C3-4 'disc' compression associated with basilar invagination.

A 20-year-old male had torticollis and short neck since birth. He presented with symptom of progressive quadriparesis over a two-year period. Investigations revealed basilar invagination with marked rotation in the craniovertebral region and relatively large C3-4 region osteophytes. Serial MRI over two years showed persistent signal opposite C3-4 disc space suggestive of cord compression. Although the cord was humped over the odontoid process, there was no clear radiological evidence that the cord was compromised at this level. During surgery, instability was identified only at the craniovertebral region and not at the level of C3-4. Distraction of the lateral masses of atlas and axis and fixation using interarticular spacers and bone graft and direct screw implantation in the lateral mass of the atlas and pars of the axis resulted in reduction of the basilar invagination and of atlantoaxial dislocation. The patient had marked clinical recovery, despite the fact that no direct procedure was done for C3-4 disc decompression. The case suggests that C3-4 disc changes could be secondary to primary instability at the craniovertebral junction.

Teflon sponge shunt for recurrent arachnoid cyst.

A 50-year-old female presented with complaints of progressive ataxia. Investigations showed a large intradural arachnoid cyst located anterior to the brainstem. Following marsupialization of the cyst she improved remarkably in her symptoms. The symptoms recurred nine months later and investigations revealed recurrence of the cyst. The cyst was evacuated again and two Teflon sponge sheets were placed such that they traversed the length of the cyst cavity and extended into the cisterna magna. At follow-up after 25 months, there has been no recurrence of symptoms or the cyst. The role and advantages of Teflon sponge in such cases is evaluated.