Albendazole in intestinal helminthiasis

A new anthelmjninthic drug Albendazole [Zentel] was tested for its efficacy and tolerance in 100 children having single or mixed infestation with roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, pinworms and tapeworms. Their stools were examined by direct examination and by centrifugal floatation technique. The patients were observed carefully before and after treatment, for clinical efficacy, side effects or any alterations in haematology, blood chemistry and urine After a single dose of Albendazole [400 mg] the cure rate was 100% in Ascariasis and Ancylostomiasis. When this drug was given in the same dosage for three consecutive days the cure rate was 100% in Taeniasis and 60.6% in Hymenolepis nana. Albendazole was well tolerated and laboratory investigations showed no significant biochemical abnormalities

Value of routine blood sampling in neonatal hypoglycemia

The study was carried out in the special baby care unit of Khyber Hospital Peshawar from July 1[st] to December 31[st] 1981. The overall incidence of hypoglycemia was 25.33% in 300 cases. Out of the hypoglycemic babies 30.26% were asymptomatic the only finding being the low blood glucose level. The mean pretreatment blood glucose level was 18 mg/dl in asymptomatic and 23 mg/d1 in the symptomatic group. 78.94% of the hypoglycemia group were not fed anything till 6 hours after birth while another 10.53% were not fed till 24 hours of age