Malaria; assessment of haematological changes

To see the effects of malaria infection on platelet count and haemoglobin in children suffering from malaria. Descriptive study. CMH Okara and CMH Pano Aqil Cantt. July 2008 to June 2012. Children admitted with fever of less than seven days duration who had positive smear for malaria parasite were included in the study. After detailed history and thorough examination, patients were investigated to find out the cause of fever. All the patients with localizing cause for fever and history of drug intake were excluded. All patients were investigated with complete blood counts and serial peripheral smears for malaria parasite. Peripheral blood smear examination for malarial parasite was taken as gold standard for the diagnosis of malaria. Cut off 9 value for low hemoglobin [anemia] was taken as 10gm/dl and platelet count of less than 150x10[9]/L, was used to define thrombocytopenia. Patients with thrombocytopenia were divided in to three categories. Mild thrombocytopenia was defined as patients with platelet count of <50x10[9]/L to >150x10[9]/L, moderate thrombocytopenia included patients with platelet counts of <20x10[9]/L to >50x10[9]/L and severe thrombocytopenia consisted of patients with platelet counts of <20x10[9]/L. A total of one hundred and fourteen smear positive patients were analyzed, out of which 93% had low and 7% had normal platelet count. 95% had Vivax and only 5% had Falciparum malaria. Mean platelet count was 87x10[9]/L. Mean platelet count in Falciparum was 42x10[9]/L whereas it was 88 x10[9]/L in Vivax malaria. Sixty two [54%] patients had anaemia. Mean haemoglobin was 9.54gm/dl. Mean Hb in Falciparum malaria was 7.5gm/dl and in Vivax it was 9.6gm/dl. Higher frequency of mild to moderate thrombocytopenia and anaemia was observed in hospitalized children suffering from malaria. Plasmodium Vivax was found to be the most common species

Evaluation of zinc status of preschool children as assessed by hair zinc level in Punjab province

To determine status of zinc in healthy children in some parts of Punjab province by estimation of hair zinc levels. Descriptive study [cross sectional survey] The study was organized at KRL Hospital from August 2004 to January 2005. Study samples were selected randomly from a larger study [To evaluate vitamin A status] carried out in 6 districts of Punjab. This community-based study was done in 6 districts of Punjab including Mianwali, Jhang, Attock, Multan, Pak Pattan and Faisalabad. The population selected was 1-5 yr old healthy children. Both male and female healthy children were included. Malnourished children with mid arm circumference <12 cm, children with skin and hair disorders, liver disease and prolonged illness were excluded from the study. After parental consent and filling up of questionnaire data, hair samples were collected. Relevant features like age, sex, dietary history and previous illnesses were recorded. Hair samples were taken, sealed in dry plastic bags and dispatched to Dr A Q Khan Research Laboratories [KRL] Kahuta where they were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometery. Data analysis was performed through SPSS-10.0. Mean age of study population was 37.5 +/- 13.39 months and male to female ratio was 1:1.32. Hair zinc levels ranged from 69 to 227 micro gm/gm of hair. Mean hair zinc level was 164.79 +/- 53.7 micro gm/gm of hair. Majority of children [62] had an adequate zinc level, while 13 were identified with low zinc status [<100 micro gm/gm]. Hair zinc was not significantly higher in children with adequate dietary habits, similarly there was no association with age and gender. Majority of healthy pre-school children in the sampled districts of Punjab did not have zinc deficiency as assessed by hair zinc level. However about 1 in 10 children was deficient in zinc even in the healthy population

Birth weight pattern of newborns in hospital setup

The objectives of the study were to determine the distribution of the birth weight of the newborns and identify the effects of gender, parity and socioeconomic status on it. CMH Thai [Kohat], KRL Hospital Kahuta and POFs Hospital Wah Cantt from Jun 2002 to Sep 2005. All the live born singleton normal babies born between 37-42 weeks of gestation were included. Premature babies, babies with congenital anomalies and those born to the mothers with malnutrition, obesity, anemia, chronic illnesses and obstetric complications were excluded from the study. Birth weight of each baby was measured to the nearest 100 gram on a baby weighing scale. Infants having birth weight of 2.5-4.0 kg were termed as normal birth weight, those less than 2.5 kg as low birth weight and more than 4.0 kg as large weight babies. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.10. The total number of babies was 1026. Males were 54% and females were 46%. Mean birth weight was 3.08 kg. Birth weight ranged from 1.6 kg to 5.0 kg. Mean birth weight of male babies and babies of higher socioeconomic group was higher than that of the females and the babies of lower socioeconomic group. Seventy nine percent of the neonates had a normal birth weight. Sixteen percent had low birth weight and only 5% were large babies. There was no significant difference in the mean birth weights of the babies of mothers with different parities. This study revealed that majority of analyzed population had normal birth weight. Male neonates and babies of higher socioeconomic group were heavier as compared to females and those of lower socioeconomic group. Parity however did not have any significant affect on the birth weight