Effect on plasma testostrone level by heroin addiction and its restoration by withdrawal

Heroin is considered to be the most addictive of all known drugs. It has adverse effects on all major systems of the body including impairment of sexual functions. The current investigation explores the relationship of heroin addiction with plasma testosterone levels in addicted persons. The effect of withdrawal of the drug on plasma testosterone level has also been investigated. Plasma testosterone levels in subjects with heroin addiction [n=15] were determined on presentation, and after 15 and 30 days of heroin withdrawal. The plasma testosterone level of addicts was significantly lower than that age and sex matched control group [p<0.001] on presentation. Progressive increase in the level was observed after 15 days [p>0.05] and 30 days of withdrawal [p<0.01]. In young adult group [age 19-29 years] there was significant increase in testosterone level after 15 and 30 days of withdrawal. However the level in older groups [30-39 and 40-50 years] did not change after 15 and 30 days of withdrawal

Late hemorrhagic disease of newborn [HDN]

To assess the clinical profile and risk factors of patients with late hemorrhagic disease of newborn. The study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur from June 2004 to May 2006 and Sheikh Zayed Hospital Rahim Yar Khan from June 2006 to May 2007. All the infants above the age of 7 days admitted in Pediatric unit with vitamin-K deficiency bleeding were evaluated. Thirty two infants the criteria of late HDN; 24 [75%] were male and 8 [25%] female. Majority of the babies i.e. 24 [75%] were in the age group 4 to 12 weeks. All were born at term and were on exclusive breastfeeding. The place of delivery was home in 18 [56%] while the remaining 14 [44%] were born in hospital/private clinics. Prophylactic vitamin-K was not given to any of the infants at birth or later. Majority of the infants 24 [75%] presented with neurological features, Intracranial hemorrhage is the commonest presentation of late HDN carrying significant morbidity and subsequent mortality. As there is ample evidence that late hemorrhagic disease of the newborn is prevalent because of lack of vitamin-K prophylaxis at birth hence prophylactic vitamin-K administration at birth is a deadly desirable intervention to avoid this potentially preventable life threatening condition