Tuberculous osteomyelitis of the long bones and joints.

Skeletal tuberculosis(TB) is usually a rare osteoarticular disease in which bones or joints are involved. We studied 4 such cases admitted to Iranian National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases from 2000 to 2003. In the initial stages of the disease, diagnosis is very difficult and conventional radiographies often reveal nonspecific findings. Our experience in these cases showed that a high index of suspicion is the most important step in early diagnosis of skeletal tuberculosis.

Vomiting, abdominal distention and early feeding of banana (Musa paradisiaca) in neonates.

The objective of this cohort study was to assess the relationship between banana given as early solid food with the symptoms of intestinal obstruction (SIO) among neonates, in a rural community in West Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Mothers having newborn infants were interviewed and 3,420 neonates were followed for 28 days. Compared with infants who were not given solid food, the relative risk (RR) for infants given food other than banana as early solid food was 1.87, 95% CI 0.48-8.24, p=0.4, while for infants given banana only as early solid food the RR was 9.15, 95% CI 1.96-42.58, p 0.0005. After adjustment for birthweight, colostrum, and breastfeeding, the odds ratio for infants given banana and the appearance of SIO was 2.99, 95% CI 2.65-5.14; p=0.0012. These data indicate that banana given as early solid food is an important risk factor for the appearance of SIO in neonates.