Knowledge on Care of Autistic Child among the Mother’s Attending Protibondhi Foundation, Dhaka.

Objective: Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear. This descriptive type of cross sectional study was conducted to explore the knowledge on care of autistic children among the mother’s attending Protibondhi Foundation, Dhaka. Methods: A total of 385 samples were selected purposively, but due to time and budget constrict it was 150 finally. Data were collected by using an anonymous, pre-tested, semi structured and self-administered questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that more than 50% of the respondent’s were in the age group 16-30 years, majority of the respondent’s were Muslim. Almost 84% of the respondents were SSC-Graduate and majority of them (nearly 50%) were housewife .The monthly family income was ranged between Taka 25,001-50,000 and its percentage was 53.3%. The knowledge about type of autism is very low, the data showed that only two types of autism they knew and the respondent’s knowledge about the risk factor was also very low; only 24% of the respondents had knowledge about complications during pregnancy and delivery related risk factors. About 28% needed physiotherapy, 30% needed occupational therapy, 34% needed speech therapy & 44.7% needed psychotherapy. Here significant association was found between age, education and knowledge about autism (p<0.05). Conclusion: Overall knowledge on care of autistic child was not satisfactory among respondents.

Serum Uric Acid and Its Association with Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Few studies have assessed the relation of uric acid level with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study investigated the association between high uric acid levels with the presence and severity of CAD. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as an observational cohort study. The study was composed of 180 patients admitted at our institution due to symptoms related to CAD. Patients having angiographic evidence of stenosis in coronary artery were as case group and without stenosis control group. Patients with high uric acid (hyperuricemia) were defined as serum uric acid concentration >7.0mg/dl or >420 μmol/L in men and >6mg/dl or >360 μ mol/L in women. The presence of CAD has been defined as the Gensini score being >1. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the mean uric acid levels of patients with and without CAD (358.23±71.11 μmol/l vs251.32±54.92 μmol/l respectively, p<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between ejection fraction of patients with and without CAD (54.50±9.25 vs. 63.16±6.56 respectively, p<0.001). Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the serum uric acid level and the severity of CAD (p=<0.001, r=0.39). When patients were classified into four groups according to their Gensini score, mean serum uric acid level was found to be significantly increased across the tertiles, and a statistically significant difference was detected between the tertiles (p= <0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, a significant association has been found between serum uric acid level and the presence and severity of CAD. In addition to the evaluation of conventional risk factors in daily clinical practice, the measurement of uric acid level might provide significant prognostic benefits in terms of global cardiovascular risk and management of the patients.

Thrombus on Mitral Prosthetic Valve – An Uncommon Complication.

Sudden withdrawal of oral anticoagulant in patients with metalic prosthetic valve without adequate coverage with parenteral heparin may lead to fatal consequences. Here the authors report a uncommon case of thrombotic mitral prosthetic occlusion due to sudden withdrawal of warfarin.

Effect of 'Mentat' on the pharmacokinetics of single and multiple doses o phenytoin in rabbits.

The effect of 'Mentat', a herbal preparation, was studied on pharmacokinetics of single and multiple doses of phenytoin in rabbits. No significant effect was found after single oral dose of 'Mentat' on single dose kinetics of phenytoin. However, 'Mentat' administration for 7 days increased the steady state kinetic parameters. Peak plasma phenytoin concentration, area under the implasma concentration and elimination half life were significantly increased and t-max was significantly reduced, indicating the suppression of phenytoin metabolism by 'Mentat'.

Effect of Septilin--a herbal preparation on pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine in rabbits.

The study was carried out in rabbits, to see the effects of Septilin, a herbal preparation on the single and multiple dose kinetics of carbamazepine. Single dose treatment of Septilin significantly decreased t 1/2a. t 1/2e. AUCo-alpha of carbamazepine. Steady state Cmax and AUC0-24 of carbamazepine were also reduced significantly in comparison to those of control rabbits after 7 days co-administration of Septilin. We conclude that Septilin decrease/hinder the absorption process of carbamazepine through an unknown mechanism.