Intestinal helminth infestations among pre-school children.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 to determine the prevalence of helminth infestations among pre-school children in North Okkalapa Township. A total of 121 apparently healthy children (52 boys and 69 girls) attending the pre-school in North Okkalapa Township were recruited in this study. Stool specimens were collected and examined according to WHO guidelines. Out of 121 pre-school children only 7.44% (95% CI : 3.46 - 13.65) of them had intestinal helminthic infection. The types of intestinal helminths identifi ed were Ascaris lumbricoides 4.13%, Trichuris trichiura 2.48 % and Taenia species 0.83 %. The study showed that prevalence of helminthiasis among pre-school children is low. This could be the result of an effective de-worming programme. However, similar studies are needed to be conducted in different parts of the country to see if similar results are also seen.

Haematological features of falciparum malaria patients with anaemia at Mandalay General Hospital

Fifty falciparum malaria patients who attended consecutively to Mandalay General Hospital for anaemia were studied. Of these, 26 percent had haemoglobin less than 5 gm percent, 78 percent had hypochromic microcytic anaemia, 16 percent was found with hypochromic normocytic anaemia and 6 percent showed normochronic nomocytic anaemia picture. They all were free from G6PD deficiency, hookworm in stool, and their Coombs test (direct and indirect) were negative. Enlargement of liver and spleen was recorded in 84 percent and 64 percent of patients respectively. Mean SD serum bilirubin was 11.9 5.4 umol/1. Patients with increased serum biliurbin was recorded in only 6 Percent of the patients. Mean conjugated biliurbin level was 8.6 5.2 umol/1. There was no predominance of conjugated bilirubin in patients with raised serum biliurbin. There was no correlation between parasite density and total serum bilirubin or haemoglobin level of the blood. Mean reticulocyte count of the patients was 1.1/cmm. reticulocyte count above 2 percent was recorded in only 8 percent of patients. The mean serum iron level sas 83.75 20.7 ug/100 ml (82.7 ug/100 ml for males and 85.5 ug/100 ml for females). The lowest serum iron level was 40 ug/100 ml. Bone marrow showed normoblastic picture in 62 percent, megaloblastic picture in 8 percent, dimorphic (megaloblastic and normoblastic) in 8 oercent and erythroid hyperplasia in 22 percent of the patients. Iron content in bone marrow was normal in 72 Percent and reduced in 28 percent of cases. Bone marrow with no stainable iron was not recorded in this study. Blood transfusion may be the only immediate form of treatment of patients with severe anaemia (PCV less than 29 Percent) in case of emergency.