School drop out and fallout from idiopathic epilepsy in rural Sri Lanka.

Aims The purpose of the study was to assess the schooling status and the educational achievement of children with idiopathic epilepsy in rural Sri Lanka, and to evaluate the impact of some disease related factors on school achievement. Method Thirty six children (24 boys, 12 girls) aged 6- 16 years (mean age 10.72 years) with idiopathic epilepsy attending a clinic in rural Sri Lanka were studied. Their schooling status was recorded and the educational achievement was assessed by the standard school report and teacher assessment report for two subjects; first language and mathematics. Two sub groups of academic achievers and non-achievers were compared and the impact of some disease related factors such as gender, age at onset of seizures, duration of epilepsy, seizure type and anti-epileptic medication on academic achievement was evaluated by a statistical test. Results School failure was seen in 21 (58%) out of 36 children. Five (13.8%) failed to attend school for a continuous period exceeding six months owing to epilepsy. The main reason for non-attendance was fear of occurrence of seizures. Academic underachievement was observed in 16 (51.6%) out of 31 school-going children. School failure was seen in both subjects studied. Statistical analysis showed no impact of gender, age at onset of seizures, duration of epilepsy, seizure type and anti-epileptic medication on academic achievement. Conclusion School drop out and fallout are significantly common among children with idiopathic epilepsy. It is important for the paediatrician, teacher and parents to keep an eye on school performance so that early remedial action can be taken.

Prevalence of talipes equinovarus, congenital dislocation of the hip, cleft lip/cleft palate, Down syndrome and neural tube defects among live newborns in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Objective To determine the prevalence of talipes equinovarus, congenital dislocation of the hip, cleft lip/cleft palate, Down syndrome and neural tube defects among live newborns at Anuradhapura General Hospital, Sri Lanka. Method Babies born from February 2002 to January 2003 were examined for the above five congenital anomalies. Anomalies were recorded in a register and live birth prevalence rate (LBPR) for each anomaly was calculated. Results 9105 newborns were examined for the 5 selected congenital anomalies. LBPR per 10,000 live births of the 5 anomalies were as follows: talipes equinovarus 31.8, congenital dislocation of hip 26.3, cleft lip/cleft palate 21.9, Down syndrome 20.8 and neural tube defects 13.2.

A case of hyper-IgE syndrome.

Hyper-IgE syndrome, a multi-system disorder affecting dentition, skeletal and immune systems and connective tissues, presents with recurrent infections and dermatitis. We report here the first case in Sri Lanka.

Bladder calculus presenting as excessive masturbation.

Masturbation in childhood is a normal behaviour which most commonly begins at 2 months of age, and peaks at 4 years and in adolescence. However excessive masturbation causes anxiety in parents. We describe a boy with a bladder calculus presenting as excessive masturbation.

Intestinal parasitoses and the nutritional status of Veddah children in Sri Lanka.

This study describes and compares the intestinal parasitoses and nutritional statuses of primary school children of Veddah (local indigenous population) and Sinhalese (more advanced society) in rural Sri Lanka. Children attending years 1-3 (age range 6-15 years) at Dambana Primary School (Veddah) and Wewatta Primary School (Sinhalese) were included in the study. Stools and blood samples were examined for evidence of intestinal parasites and anemia. The heights and weights of the children were measured and anthropometric indices calculated. There was a high prevalence of G. intestinalis and B. hominis (Giardia 7.8% and 6.2%; Blastocystis 17.2% and 17.3% at Dambana and Wewatta, respectively) in both communities, the predominant helminth being N. americanus (20.3% at Dambana and 14.8% at Wewatta; p>0.05). Other geohelminth infections were scarce in both communities. A greater proportion of boys than girls were underweight and stunted in both communities. Wasting and anemia was significantly high among the Veddah children.