Atypical Cogan Syndrome Mimicking Acute Rheumatic Fever.

Cogan syndrome is a syndrome of non-syphilitic interstitial keratitis associated with vestibuloauditory deficits. We report a 10 year-old male child who presented with fever, acute polyarthritis, and unilateral red eye and was diagnosed as acute rheumatic fever. Subsequently unilateral hearing loss was detected and the child was diagnosed to have atypical Cogan syndrome

A retrospective clinico-pathological analysis of neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.

Aim: Gastrointestinal tract is the commonest site for neuroendocrine tumors. Appendix, ileum and rectum were considered to be common sites for these tumors. However, there has been change in pattern of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors over last few years. There is limited data available on epidemiology and patterns of these tumors in India. Methods: Analysis of 74 patients with gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors over a period of 7 years at a single center in Mumbai, India was done. Clinical details, surgical outcome with follow up and treatment were reviewed. All these patients were analyzed with special emphasis on the site of the tumor. Results: The results showed a male preponderance (ratio of 2.5:1) with a mean age of 53.01 ± 15.13 years. Of the 74 tumors, the commonest site was found to be stomach 22 (30.2%), followed by pancreas 17 (23.3%) and duodenum 14 (18.9%). Only 3 (4.1%) patients presented with carcinoid syndrome. The disease was localized in 46 (62.2%), regional spread was seen in 14 (18.9%) and distant spread in 14 (18.9%). Majority of gastric and duodenal tumors had localized disease while pancreatic NETs led to most of the cases with distant disease. Conclusion: This analysis showed that gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are not rare. Pattern of these tumors has definitely changed over last few years. Stomach was found to be commonest site for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors followed by pancreas and duodenum.

Neurodevelopmental, functional and growth status of term low birth weight infants at eighteen months.

This study was done to evaluate the neurodevelopmental, functional and growth status of term infants weighing 2000 g or less at 18 months, and to analyze major medical and social factors associated with an adverse neurodevelopmental and/or functional outcome. All infants were assessed for growth, audio-visual, neurological impairment, and motor and mental development using Indian modification of Bayley Scales of infant development. A detailed history was also taken. Term infants with birth weight of >2500 g without any antenatal or neonatal complications served as controls. Fifty low birth weight (LBW) term infants and 30 controls were evaluated. The mean mental development Quotient for LBW infants [91.51(16.97)] was significantly lower than that of Controls [102.02(8.4)]; the mean motor development Quotient however was comparable. The LBW infants were significantly lagging in terms of weight, length and head circumference at assessment. Neonatal complications were associated with an abnormal motor outcome while lower Socio-economic status and maternal education were related to adverse mental status. We concluded that Term LBW infants are at a significant disadvantage in terms of growth and mental scores at 18 months.

A descriptive hospital based study of children with autism.

The clinical and neurodevelopmental profile of 51 children with Autistic disorder, from a referral population was studied. A detailed history and examination was undertaken. The development/intelligence quotient and social quotient were assessed. Standard diagnostic tests were applied in children above 2 years of age. Younger children were evaluated with a screening test and re-evaluated at 2 years. It was observed that a correct diagnosis had been made in only 5.8% of children prior to referral. The mean age of presentation was 3.28 years. Ninety-six percent of the autistic children had developmental delay. Qualitative impairment in social interaction and communication was more commonly observed than restricted interests and activities. Forty-seven (92.15%) children were severely autistic and 4 (7.84%) mildly to moderately autistic. All children less than 2 years were confirmed to have Autistic disorder later.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C in multitransfused children.

The study was conducted on 75 multitransfused children aged between 2 and 13 years who attended the Department of Paediatrics, LNJPN Hospital, New Delhi from July 1990 to July 1991. These included 64 cases of thalassaemia major, 4 cases of haemophilia, 3 patients of acute lymphatic leukaemia and one each of acute myeloid leukaemia, aplastic anemia, chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis. HBsAg was tested in all, Anti-HBc was tested in 44 patients and Anti-HCV in 43 patients. Anti HDV was tested in HBsAg positive patients and IgM anti-HAV was tested in patients suffering from hepatitis. Liver function tests were evaluated in all patients. HBsAg was positive in 31% of patients; 40% of males and 15% of females were HBsAg positive, the difference being statistically significant. 84% of patients were Anti-HBc positive, 21% were anti HCV positive, 4% were Anti HDV positive. 15% of the patients had post transfusion hepatitis. Anti HCV was present in 57% of the hepatitis patients; none had anti-HAV IgM.