Comparison of oral versus injectable vitamin-D for the treatment of nutritional vitamin-D deficiency rickets

To assess the safety and acceptability of a single dose of vitamin-D versus the efficacy of injectable Vitamin-D versus oral vitamin-D. Case control. It was carried out at the Department of Paediatrics, Kharadar General Hospital, Karachi, from August 2003 to April 2004. Children of the age of 6 months to 3 years with clinical, biochemical and radiological evidence of vitamin-D deficiency rickets were included. The history, clinical examination, complete blood picture, serum calcium. Phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and X-ray of wrist joint were done. The children were divided into two groups A and B. Group A was given oral vitamin-D and group B was given intramuscular injection of vitamin-D on the first day and then they were followed for two more visits at 30 and 90 days with clinical, biochemical and radiological examinations to assess the outcome. There were 50 confirmed cases of rickets in each group. The mean age was 10.9 +/- 5.1 months and 14.7 +/- 8.1 months in group A and B respectively. In these children, clinical features were weakness, difficulty in walking, frontal bossing, ribcage deformity and widening of wrist were seen. After one dose of vitamin-D [cholecalciferol], there was appreciable gain of weight and height and raised levels of alkaline phosphatase became normal during follow-up. Radiological florid rickets and non-florid rickets in both groups healed clinically during follow-up period. Oral and injectable forms of vitamin-D [cholecalciferol] were effective but injectable form was shown to be statistically significant. There were no undesirable side effects and both forms of treatment were well-tolerated

Prevalence of hepatitis B infection in pregnant women in a tertiary care hospital

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B among pregnant women, and to study acceptance and compliance of hepatitis B screening program during the five year period. A five year, descriptive cross sectional study of screening for hepatitis B infection of routine prenatal laboratory testing during antenatal registration. Compliance with the programme was evaluated by checking delivery and laboratory records of the hospital. Study Period January 1 2002 to December 31, 2006. Kharadar General Hospital [KGH] Karachi. During the last five years 34, 918 women registered for antenatal care at KGH. Out of these 25, 482 women accepted to be screened for hepatitis B virus. A total of 401 women were found to be hepatitis B surface antigen positive. The overall prevalence was 1.57% during this period. We found a rising trend in the acceptance of the hepatitis B screening among pregnant women coming for antenatal care from 42% in 2002 to 96% in the year 2006. [p value <0.001]. We also observed an overall decrease in the prevalence of seropositive cases observed, probably due to the administration of hepatitis B vaccination in the postpartum period. Prevalence of seropositivity of hepatitis B was 1.57% among pregnant women at KGH. Secondly, there was a higher trend in acceptance of hepatitis B screening among pregnant women during the antenatal period