Drug induced chronic acquired pure red cell aplasia in adolescent boy.

Acquired Pure red cell Aplasia (PRCA) is a disorder seen rarely in children and adolescents. Drugs like sodium valproate and carbamazepine have emerged as an important cause of acquired PRCA, when used for a long duration. Apart from the neurological side-effects, haematological side-effects in form of aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis are well-documented in carbamazepine therapy. The haematologic side-effects of carbamazepine, although not common, should nevertheless be borne in mind due to the serious, prolonged and sometimes even fatal consequences. Carbamazepine is a commonly prescribed drug in today’s scenario and it is important to be aware about its common and uncommon side-effects. We report a case of Carbamazepine induced pure red cell aplasia in an adolescent boy. Since, this drug induced PRCA is reversible if recognised early, it is worthwhile to be aware of this complication to prevent permanent morbidity due to generalised bone marrow hypoplasia.

Longitudinal analysis of distance and annual increase curves and distribution of the age of maximum increment in height among junior high school athletes / 体力科学

A longitudinal study was conducted to determine the physical maturity characteristics of athletes engaged in the following extracurricular sports activities over the three-year junior high school period: basketball (N=40), baseball (N=130), volleyball (N=54), soccer (N=86) and a non-athletic group (N=37) which did not participate in sports.<BR>Each athlete's maturity was determined from the age of maximum increment in height (MIA) of each individual. Longitudinal stature measurements were recorded annually in April for 12 years period from 6 to 18 years of age.<BR>The study yielded the following results:<BR>1. The MIA distributions of all the sporting groups were distinctly larger than that of the non-athletic group, increasing with each chronological age step on the distance curve and annual increase in height curve. The MIA mean value for the soccer group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the non-athletic and all the other sporting groups.<BR>2. The soccer group was significantly slighter (P<0.05) in stature than all the other sporting groups.<BR>3. Subjects who played baseball throughout high school reached physical maturity earlier than those who only played throughout junior high school. However, those who continued to play soccer throughout high school reached maturity later than those who only played throughout junior high school.