Waardenburg syndrome Type II.

Two rare cases of Waardenburg type II are reported. First case had three main features of WS--profound SN hearing loss, hetrochromia iris and white forelock of hair. Second case had moderate SNHL and depigmentation of hair.

Effect of adenotonsillitis on peak exploratory flow rate in children.

Peak Exploratory Flow Rate (PEFR) is a simple, economical, reproducible, non-invasive test, which can be quickly performed with ease. PEFR was assessed in 36 children with adenotonsillar enlargement with mean age 10.75 years and equal number of age and sex matched normal children who acted as controls. PEFR was found to be 250. 61 +/- 66.92 lt/min in controls and 216.85 +/- 59.76 lt/min in children with adenotonsillar enlargement signifying impairment of PEFR in children in the second group.

A study on plasma selenium level among pregnant women at Rohtak, Haryana.

Selenium is an important trace element for human health. Selenium levels in mothers may have significant effects on fetal and neonatal nutrition. In a cross-sectional study undertaken in Rohtak, Haryana, plasma selenium level in mothers was investigated at the time of delivery. The mean plasma selenium level in full term mothers (n=82) was 70.63 +/- 1.62 ppb and in preterm mothers (n = 58), it was 63.28 +/- 2.31 ppb. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). These levels were, however, below the reported normal level of 75-120 ppb in adults. Rura/urban stay, parity, maternal age, socio-economic and literacy status etc. did not influence the selenium level of mothers in either of the groups.

Proboscis lateralis of nose.

A rare case of congenital malformation of the nose that was successfully corrected surgically is reported.

Neuronal protection with magnesium.

Delayed neuronal death following hypoxic ischaemic insult is primarily mediated by the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The NMDA receptor antagonist MK 801, has been shown to limit neuronal death following hypoxic ischaemic injury but is too toxic to be used in the human neonate. Magnesium blocks the NMDA channel in a voltage dependent manner. Its administration after a simulated hypoxic ischaemic insult limits neurological damage in several animal models. The efficacy of magnesium in providing neuroprotection in the human neonate, however needs to be established in controlled clinical trials.

Oxidative stress, phototherapy and the neonate.

Phototherapy is the most widely used form of therapy for unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. Its non-invasive nature and few side effects reported earlier have led to the assumption that it is innocuous. Recent research has revealed that phototherapy is a photodynamic stress and can induce lipid peroxidation. There is increasing evidence that many severe diseases of the neonate are caused by oxidative injury and lipid peroxidation. In the present communique, we review the oxidative susceptibility of the neonate and the evidence now available that phototherapy induces oxidative stress. Although intensive phototherapy (up to 40 mwatt/cm2/nm) has been reported to be increasingly effective, a little caution, we believe is warranted, till more definite data in the human neonate, help resolve the issue.

Maternal and cord plasma selenium levels in full-term neonates.

Selenium is a part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase and has an important role in the prevention of oxygen free radical injury. Hence good selenium nutrition is of special relevance to the neonate. The present study evaluated plasma selenium levels in cord plasma of 82 full term, appropriate for gestational age babies and their mothers at delivery. The plasma selenium levels in babies were 54.17 +/- 1.34 ppb which was significantly lower than 70.63 +/- 1.62 ppb seen in their mothers. Anemic mothers with a Hb < 8 g/dl had a plasma selenium level (60.74 +/- 4.57 ppb) which was lower than those with a Hb > 8 g/dl i.e. 74.19 +/- 2.17 ppb. Maternal age, parity, literacy and socio-economic status did not affect the plasma selenium levels.

Foreign body airway in neonates.

Two cases of foreign body in neonates less than one month of age are reported. Although foreign bodies in neonates are unknown but the possibility should not be overlooked even in neonates especially with sudden onset of respiratory distress, cough or hoarseness in absence of fever.

Neonatal behavior in full-term small for date.

Fifty newborns, 25 full term SFDs (small for date) and 25 full term AGAs (appropriate for gestational age) were taken up for comparative study of their behavior using BNBAS (Brazelton's neonatal behavior assessment scale). The study revealed that full term SFDs performed significantly poorly on all items under cluster interactive processes compared to their counterparts full term AGAs on day 1. They also showed similar poor performance in clusters of motor processes and organizational processes (State control). Follow up assessment on day 30 revealed significantly better performance in these clusters. However, the performance of SFD babies in all items of cluster of organizational processes (physiological response) was comparable to that of AGA babies in the initial as well as follow up assessments.