Histopathological findings of biopsy specimen in children presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of different histopathological findings of biopsy specimens obtained through colonoscopy in children presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Methodology: It was a descriptive cross sectional study which was carried out at the department of Pediatrics Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [AFIP] Rawalpindi from June 2010 to 19 February 2012. 80 biopsy specimen obtained through fibre-optic colonscopy were included in the study and the histopthological findings reported by consultant Pathologist were recorded. Data was analysed using SPSS version 10

Results: A total of 80 biopsy specimens were included in the study. Out of these, 47 [58.75%] patients had polyps in colon. Histopathological examination revealed juvenile polyp to be the most common finding; all 47 patients revealed juvenile polyps.13 patients had chronic non specific colitis.11 cases were found to be normal .Only 03 had evidence of ulcerative colitis while 06 specimens revealed no specific findings

Conclusion: Histopathologically, juvenile polyp is the major cause of LGIB in children in our set up which is also found in other national and international studies

Nutritional status of pre-school children - a cross-sectional study in Mingora, Swat

Objective: The main aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of pre-school children in Mingora city of Swat

Methodology: A community based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Mingora city - an urban area of Swat valley, from April to December 2013, to determine the current nutritional status of pre-school children [2-5years age group]. A total of 550 children were selected by convenience sampling method. Anthropometric data was collected about height and weight. It was compared against National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS] standards. It was analysed using SPSS version 16 and Microsoft Excel 2010

Results: Out of total of 550 children, 46% [n=253] were males while 54% [297] were females. Mean weights of the children ranged from 11.6 to 19.3 kg [+/-1.9kg] and mean heights of different age groups ranged from 85.7 to 111.6 cm [+/-3.99 cm]. Height for age parameter shows that 88% [n=484] of children are within normal range. Weight for Age parameter shows that 82% [n=451] of children had normal weight for age; 14% [n=77] were underweight; 8% [n=44] of the children were wasted; while 8% [n=44] were stunted

Conclusion: The prevalence of childhood malnutrition was very low in the geographic area studied. Similar studies in other geographic areas are indicated to establish a complete regional nutritional profile

Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome in deaf school children population

To identify the patients of Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome [JLNS] amongst congenitally deaf children. This was a cross-sectional study, conducted at Hamza Foundation Academy for the Deaf, and Combined Military Hospital Lahore over a period of 4 months from February to May 2012. A total of 379 children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss were included in this study. Echocardiographs of all children [ages 4-18 years] were obtained. The corrected QT [QTc] intervals of all 379 ECGs were calculated using the Bazett's formula. Using the Schwartz's criteria, patients with long QTc intervals were further evaluated for Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome. Out of 379 children, 84 [22.1%] were found to have QTc intervals equal to or longer than 0.44 seconds. As per Schwartz's criteria, 31 [36.9%] out of 84 children with Long QTc [8.17% in sample population], scored high points [4.0 to 6.0], proving presence of JLNS. A sizable proportion of congenitally deaf children had Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome in our study