Study on the effect of maternal anemia on birth weight of term neonates among rural population India

Background: Maternal anemia in pregnancy is common and has several deleterious effects on the health of the mother and the fetus. Maternal anemia is an important risk factor for LBW babies and preterm babies. There exists an insufficient information regarding the adverse effect of anemia during pregnancy especially among rural population. The aim of the study was to determine whether maternal anemia would affect the birth weight of the baby.Methods: The study was conducted in post-natal ward in Sri Venkateshwara Medical College Hospital and Research centre, Ariyur, Puducherry, India a tertiary care hospital in a rural area.Results: About 85% of low birth weight babies were born to mothers with severe maternal anemia with a p value of <0.001 which is statistically significant. None of the mothers who didn't have maternal anemia had low birth weight babies.Conclusions: Maternal anemia is directly proportional to fetal growth. Maternal anemia being an important risk factor for low birth weight should be prevented as early as possible thus helpful in de-creasing the incidence, mortality and morbidity of LBW babies.

Burning mouth syndrome: diagnostic appraisal and management strategies

Burning mouth syndrome [BMS] is a disorder that is characterized by a burning sensation of the oral cavity in the absence of visible local or systemic abnormalities. Affected patients often present with multiple oral complaints, including burning, dryness and taste alterations. The exact cause of burning mouth syndrome often is difficulttopinpoint. Conditions that have been reported in association with burning mouth syndrome include chronic anxiety or depression, various nutritional deficiencies, type 2 diabetes and change sinsalivary function. Studies have pointed todys function of the cranial nerves associated with taste sensation as a possible cause of burning mouth syndrome. Since burning mouth symptoms may arise as the result of a number of etiologic factors, diagnosis and management of the patient with BMS should involve consideration of all possible causative factors. Hormone replacement therapy, benzodiazepines/ anti-convulsants, anti-depressants, analgesics, capsaicin, alpha-lipoic acid and cognitive behavioral therapy etc. have all been used in the management of BMS. The present review outlines various aspects of BMS, updates current knowledge on the disease, and provides guidelines for successful patient management