Neurotuberculosis as a Cause of Obesity.

Childhood obesity, taking the form of pandemic in the present era owing to the food habits, lifestyle etc, is the main cause of adult onset diseases. Obesity is the major risk factor for insulin resistance and diabetes, hypertension, cancer, gall bladder disease, and atherosclerosis in adulthood. Obesity being multi-factorial various genetic, anatomic, environmental factors are implicated to its etiognesis. While evaluating the causes of obesity in a child, in addition to the common causes, diseases involving hypothalamus should not be overlooked. We are discussing here a 9 year male child who reported to us for obesity and neurotuberculosis as the etiology was established.

Colloidion Baby.

A two day old male baby, third issue of a second degree consanguineously married couple with clinical features of colloidion baby is being presented. Early recognition of this clinical entity and early institution of appropriate therapy can definitely reduce morbidity and mortality in neonates.

Pattern of Congenital Anomalies in Newborn : A Hospital Based Prospective Study.

This hospital based prospective descriptive study highlights the point prevlance of congenital anomalies in one year. The number of congenital anomalies were more in males (M: F = 1.6:1.4), in neonates of young (= 20 years) and elderly mothers (= 35 years). The pattern of congenital anomalies included musculoskeletal (30.6%), CNS (20.5%), GIT (18.5%), skin (7.6%), genitourinary (4.7%), CVS (4%) etc. In musculoskeletal group, telipes was most common malformation followed by spinabifida and polydactyly. In CNS, group meningomyeleceole was the most common malformation followed by anencephaly and hydrocephalus. Frequency of congenital anomalies were more common in muslims as compared to hindus (1.77% vs. 1.4%), in cesarean born babies as compared to vaginally delivered (1.96% vs. 1.48%), in LBW babies (4.95%) and still born as compared to live born babies (4.46% vs. 1.39%). Present study stress upon the importance to carrying out a thorough clinical examination of neonate at birth.

Bilateral Pulmonary Cyst in a Child.

A four year old male child presented with history of cough for last six months. Chest skiagram and CT scan of mediastinum revealed bilateral pulmonary hydatid cyst. Serology did authenticate diagnosis. The child was prescribed albendazole for 6 months and was advised to come for follow up. The case of bilateral pulmonary hydatid cyst is being presentated because of rarity.

Turner Syndrome

Turner Syndrome is one of the important chromosomal disorders characterised by loss (total or part) of sex chromosome. The manifestations being peripheral edema, short stature, extra skin fold, webbing of neck, renal and cardiovascular anomalies, sexual infantilism, learning disability etc. We present here a one month female baby who had classical features of Turner Syndrome. The karyotape analysis was consistent with the diagnosis.

Sturge Weber Disease in a Child

Sturge Weber Disease is one of the important neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by abnormities of both the integument and central nervous system. We present here a classical case of Sturge Weber Disease. This 16 month male child had facial angioma and seizures. CT Scan head was consistent with the diagnosis.

Clinical Profile of Pica in Childhood

The various aspects of clinical profile in 200 children (18 months to 10 years) with pica have been highlighted. There was a definite male predominance and majority of children belonged to 2– 4 year age group. Direct history of pica was given by 32% mothers. Cough, pain abdomen, poor appetite, increasing pallor, abdominal fullness etc were other presenting features. Clay, sand, mud, plaster, uncooked rice, paper, clothes etc were material used for pica. Intestinal parasites were quite common

Tuberous Sclerosis in a Child

Tuberous sclerosis is one of the important neurocutaneous syndrome chracterized by abnormalities of both the integument and central nervous system. We present here a classical case of tuberous sclerosis. This is a three year female child who had myoclonic seizures, delayed milestones and had hypopigmented skin lesions. MRI brain and EEG were consistent with the diagnosis.

Home Related Accidents During Infancy

A profile of two hundred infants who had met with an accident at home was studied. The most common type of accident observed was fall (53%). The fall was either from walker, furniture/bed, stairs, roof and from attendant's lap. Injuries due to sharp edge instruments (23%) aspiration of parts of toys, marbles, coins (11%), burns / scalds (9%) etc. were other type of accidents encountered. Most of the accidents occurred between 9 AM to 9 PM.

Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Preschool Children

One hundred fifty preschool children with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) were studied. Organic cause was observed in 135 (90%) and non-organic in 15 (10%). Giardiasis was the commonest organic cause in 81 (60%) either alone or with other parasites followed by ascariasis 27 (20%) alone. Other cause of organic pain were urinary tract infection (UTI) 9 (6.7%), abdominal tuberculosis 9 (6.7%), eosophagitis/gastritis 4 (2.9%) and gall stones 2 (1.4%). School phobia, sibling rivalry, unpleasant relations among parents and nocturnal enuresis were significant factors associated with non-organic causes.

Scleredema in a Child

A rare case of scleredema in a seven year old child is presented. This relevant literature regarding clinical presentation, differential diagnosis and treatment of this disease is also being reviewed.

Hydrocephalus in Children with Spina Bifida

A prospective study consisting of 50 infants having spina bifida and cranium bifidum and relationship of hydrocephalus was carried out. The male preponderance was obvious (1.7:1) with majority of infants being less than 3 months. The presenting complaint in almost all the children was swelling on back or head. Lumbar spine was affected most commonly with 36% children having lesion at this site followed by lumbosacral (20%) and occiptal (16%). Neuromuscular deficit was present in 32% cases. Clinical evidence of hydrocephalus was seen in 22% children. X-ray skull was suggestive of hydrocephalus in 22% cases. Ultrasound examination of skull confirmed the diagnosis in 52% cases. Hydrocephalus had no specific relationship with site of lesion. It was more commonly associated with neurological deficit. Sonographic examination is relatively cheaper and invaluable investigation. and should be done routinely in patients with spina bifida.

Anhidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia

Anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (AED) is a rare disorder characterised by a constellation of defects involving the teeth. skin and appendageal structures. We report a child who had typical features of this disorder.