A study on prevalence of minor physical anomalies in mentally retarded children in a tertiary care centre of India

Background: Paucity of studies in world literature and lack of any Indian study assessing the frequency, prevalence and severity of minor physical anomalies (MPAs) in children with mental retardation (MR) as well as their importance for prediction and timely recognition of mental insufficiency, if any.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study involving 273 mentally retarded children aged 5-18 years was conducted over a period of one year and were compared with their age and sex matched controls. Waldrop and Halverson (1971) physical anomaly scale was used to assess those MPAs.Results: In the study group, higher percentage (79.85% vs. 40.29%) of children had MPAs with a predominance of multiple MPAs in comparison to healthy children (40.29% and 0%, respectively). Higher average frequency of MPAs per child was noted in the study group (1.42) than control group (0.40). Mean Waldrop weighting score was significantly higher among mentally retarded children than their controls (3.7'0.8 versus 0.8'0.2, P<0.0001). Authors noticed a gradual and significant decrease in Waldrop score with increase in intelligence quotient (IQ) [F=175.72, P<0.001]. A significant strong negative correlation between Waldrop score and IQ level (r=-0.89, P<0.001) was also observed. Out of eighteen variables of Waldrop score, seven were found as significant in binary logistic regression model for MR. Our model can explain 37.6% to 50.1% variability of the MR.Conclusions: MPAs are more prevalent in mentally retarded children than healthy children.' A clear-cut demarcation between these two groups is possible by the frequency of anomalies and the increased strength of their expression (i.e. their weighting scores).

Umbilical Myiasis in Newborn.

Umbilical myiasis is rare in newborns. We are reporting two cases of umbilical myiasis from rural West Bengal (India) that were infected by larval forms of blow fly (Chrysomya megacephala). One of them subsequently developed septicemia while the other one was clinically well.

Extragonadal teratomas presenting at birth and originating from 3 different sites--a report of 3 cases.

Three cases of extragonadal teratomas presented at birth and all the cases arisen from three separate sites are reported in the present study. A huge sacrococcygeal teratoma is being reported and the other two retroperitoneal and nasopharyngeal teratomas, are reported for the rarity of their location in neonatal period. Teratomas of all three babies were mature benign on histopathology and surgical removal sufficed as mode of treatment. No recurrence was noted on follow-up.

Holoprosencephaly--a case report.

A newborn female with delayed initiation of respiration was presented. She was born at term, normally of an uncomplicated pregnancy. Her head circumference was 40.5 cm. X-ray skull showed sutural separation. CT-scan of brain showed a large monoventricle occupying most of the cranial cavity. The case had typical features of albolar holoprosencephaly with hydrocephalus. The baby was treated for birth asphyxia.

Kluver-Bucy syndrome--a rare complication of herpes simplex encephalitis.

A twelve-year-old female was admitted with history of high fever, recurrent vomiting and repeated convulsion for 2 days and altered consciousness for one day. Cranial CT scan showed intraparenchymal haemorrhage involving both temporal lobes and right basal ganglia region without mass effect. Serology was reactive against IGM HSV1. Injection acyclovir was started at a dose of 10 mg/kg 8 hourly intravenously. Patient regained consciousness on fourth day but speech was altered. Abnormal behavioural symptoms were noticed. EEG showed generalised spike and slow waves and sharp and slow wave discharge more in the temporal region. The patient was given clonidine and carbamazepine. She also received behavioural therapy and parental counselling. She was followed up for six months and maintaining well.