Cholesterol and triglycerides levels in Thai diabetics.

One thousand, one hundred and twenty-five diabetics, aged 17-90 years (456 males, 669 females), underwent cholesterol and triglyceride determination showing the cholesterol value of 64 per cent or 717 diabetics was over 200 mg/dl and the cholesterol value of 7 per cent or 74 diabetics was lower than 200 mg/dl, but triglycerides were over 200 mg/dl, of which HDL and LDL cholesterol had been determined; and in 30 per cent of diabetics or 334 patients, the cholesterol and triglycerides values were lower than 200 mg/dl, which suggested no hyperlipidemia. From these results, the authors suggest hyperlipidemia be screened in all diabetics to prevent atherosclerosis. The clinical laboratory should have cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol available for routine check up of diabetics of prevention of atherosclerosis complications and to decrease the mortality rate of the diabetics. Primary screening of cholesterol and triglyceride tests, also HDL and LDL cholesterol, should be determined if cholesterol is over 200 mg/dl or triglycerides are over 200 mg/dl.

Nutritional status of low socioeconomic school children at Srakaew Temple, Ang Thong.

Nutritional deficiency in school children is one of the major health problems in Thailand. This study was undertaken to investigate the nutritional status in 240 poor adopted school children who were classified as low socioeconomic. Biochemical parameters were measured for detecting early signs of nutritional deficiency before the clinical signs developed. Serum protein and albumin levels did not show statistically significant different between the protein energy deficiency group and the normal group (p greater than 0.05, p greater than 0.05). Fifty-four point five per cent of these children showed sign of vitamin B2 deficiency, 13.6 per cent of them with activity coefficient greater than 1.8, indicating the low protein intake of this group of children. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the vitamin B2 level between the normal and protein calorie malnutrition groups (p greater than 0.05). According to our study, the prevalence of anemia among these children was 53.1 per cent. Moreover, the difference in hemoglobin level between these two groups was found with statistical significance (p less than 0.05).

Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in Wat Srakaew school children.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus carrier in adopted school age children is 12.5 per cent. When it is compared to Bangkok and Ayutthaya children, its prevalence is higher than children in Bangkok, but it is lower than children in Ayutthaya.

Phenylketonuria in mother having previous mental retarded child.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn deficiency of the enzyme L-phenlalanine hydroxylase resulting in raised serum phenylalanine concentration and mental retardation. This study was performed on pregnant women who had previously given birth to mentally retarded children and suspected of having phenlketonuria. The phenlalanine level in amniotic fluid of this group was compared with normal pregnant women. The result showed no statistical difference (p > 0.05). The reference values of serum phenlalanine in Thai normal pregnant women were also studied. The result of the first, second and third were 1.6 + 0.8 mg/dl, 1.8 + 0.9 mg/dl and 1.8 + 0.6 mg/dl respectively.

Simple test for screening protein in cerebrospinal fluid.

The comparison of qualitative tests in determining normal and abnormal protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were studied. The albumin level in 50 cases was should to be 74% and 42% positive by Albustix and Nonne Apelt, albumin method, respectively. The globulin level in 80 cases was also show to be 40% and 46% positive by Pandy and Nonne Apelt, globulin method. All qualitative tests were compared quantitatively with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and Ponceau S dye binding method. The Albustix and Nonne Apelt, globulin method provided earlier detection of abnormal protein in CSF. The Albustix test was also proven to be more rapid cheaper for screening large samples for positive protein results.