Protective effects of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves against arsenic-induced toxicity in mice

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the protective role of leaves of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) Lam. against arsenic-induced toxicity in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Swiss albino male mice were divided into four groups. The first group was used as non-treated control group while, the second, third, and fourth groups were treated with M. oleifera leaves (50 mg/kg body weight per day), sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg body weight per day) and sodium arsenite plus M. oleifera leaves, respectively. Serum indices related to cardiac, liver and renal functions were analyzed to evaluate the protective effect of Moringa leaves on arsenic-induced effects in mice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It revealed that food supplementation of M. oleifera leaves abrogated the arsenic-induced elevation of triglyceride, glucose, urea and the activities of alkaline phospatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum. M. oleifera leaves also prevented the arsenic-induced perturbation of serum butyryl cholinesterase activity, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results indicate that the leaves of M. oleifera may be useful in reducing the effects of arsenic-induced toxicity.</p>

Pheochromocytoma: a rare cause of childhood hypertensive encephalopathy

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours of chromaffin tissues. They are catecholamine secreting tumours which cause severe hypertension and other systemic disturbances. Of all the causes of childhood hypertension, pheochromocytoma constitutes less than 1%. We report the case of a 12 years old child who presented with hypertensive encephalopathy, confirmed histologically to be secondary to pheochromocytoma, and cured with meticulous critical care and surgical resection

Children with clinical presentation of Hirschsprung's disease - a clinicopathological experience

Enteric neuronal abnormalities include Hirschsprung's Disease [HD], hypoganglionosis, intestinal neuronal dysplasia [IND Type A and B], and immaturity of ganglion cells. All of these are mostly present with the same clinical features of the HD. A total of 92 patients presented with the clinical features of HD were recruited to this study from two tertiary care Children Hospitals from March 2009 to October 2009. They either had their first presentation or called for definitive surgeries with clinical presentation of HD. After applying exclusion criteria, 84 patients were finally left for the study. Among 84 patients, 13 [15.5% proved to be normally ganglionic on rectal biopsies and 71 [84.5%] showed enteric neuronal abnormalities. In these, 51 [71.8%] children had Hirschsprung's disease, 9 [12.7%] revealed immaturity of ganglion cells [IGC], 9 [12.7%] belonged to isolated hypoganglionic group and 2 [2.8%] showed isolated IND type B. In HD group, M: F ratio was 4.1:1, mean age at diagnosis was 1.9 years and the presenting complaints were in the descending order i.e., abdominal distention, constipation, vomiting and delayed passage of meconium. Among the group that showed IGC, M: F ratio was 2: 1, mean age at diagnosis was 12 days of life. The presenting complaints were same as that in HD in a similar order. In isolated hypoganglionic group, M: F ratio was 3.5.: 1, mean age at diagnosis was 2.3 years. The presenting complaints included constipation [88.9%], abdominal distension [77.8%], vomiting [33.3%] and delayed passage of meconium [33.3%]. In isolated IND type B, both patients were males, they came with constipation, abdominal distension and vomiting whereas one of them had history of delayed passage of meconium. HD was the most common enteric neuronal abnormality. Other neuronal abnormalities included isolated hypoganglionosis, immaturity of ganglion cells and isolated hyperganglionos [IND Type B]. Most common presenting complaints were abdominal distension, constipation, vomiting and delayed passage of meconium in all the groups

Accidental ingestion of hydrochloric acid causing acute gastric perforation in a child

In children, accidental ingestion of acid produces gastric outlet obstruction in most instances. Rarely, gastric perforation may occur. A 3-year-old boy presented immediately after accidental ingestion of hydrochloric acid [HCI] with abdominal distension, lethargy, and acidotic breathing. Abdominal radiograph revealed massive air under diaphragm. Laparotomy was performed after initial resuscitation. Stomach was found sloughed off at the greater curvature. The necrosed gastric part was resected and the remaining stomach repaired transversely. The patient is in follow up

Impact of age and delayed presentation on outcome of intussusception in children

To evaluate the impact of age, weight. delayed presentation on outcome. Retrospective study Period: 7 Years period [January 1997 - December 1999 and January 2001 - December 2004]. Setting: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Mayo Hospital and The Children's Hospital, Lahore. During 7 years period total 130 cases of intussusception were admitted. Most of patients presented under 1 year of age. Majority of patients presented after 72 hours of duration. All were operated and ileocolic was the most common type followed by ileoileal intussusception. Below 1 year 58.25% patients required resection anastomosis and after 5 years 27.7% patients required resection. Before 72 hours 25% patients required resection and after 72 hours 74% patients required resection. We conclude that duration and age have definite impact on outcome of intussusception

Modified Duhamel procedure for Hirschsprung's disease: an analysis of 24 cases

A Prospective analytic study of 24 case of Hirschsprung's disease [H.D] was conduct over a period of two years first January 2000 to December 2001 in the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, to evaluate the outcome of the patients after modified Duhamel pull through procedure. The results showed that Modified Duhamel procedure with the help of Mechanical stapling device had minimum complications with no mortality and were consistent with other studies showing that Modified Duhamel procedure is quite safe for Hirschsprung's Disease

Acute appendicitis: Metronidazole as monotherapy and early intake of oral fluids

In acute appendicitis role of monotherapy still needs appreciation where there is no perforation or abscess formation. In these patients when a straightforward appendectomy has been performed early intake of oral fluids reduce patients stay in hospitals. A total number of 40 patients divided into two groups. A and B. Group A received one preoperative and two postoperative metronidazole doses and Group B received tripple therapy preoperative and for 72 hours postoperatively. Group A patients were started with oral fluids 6 hours after operation but in Group B oral fluids were started after 24 hours after listening bowel sounds. Results were same in both groups with reduction of hospital stay in Group A patients. No wound infection or complication seen in either group. Monotherapy with metronidazole is as effective as tripple therapy and early intake of oral funds can reduce hospital stay

Oesophageal atresia and tracheosophageal fistula

Forty-six neonates with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula were admitted in Mayo Hospital Lahore over a three and half years period from Jane 1995 to December 1998. Of these 76.08 percent were male. Delayed referral of 24 hours or more was noted in 78.20 percent. Among the neonates admitted 88 percent had moderate to severe chest infection and 70 percent weighed three or more than three kilograms. Associated congenital anomalies were noted in 41.3 percent, of which high imperforate anus accounted for more than 50 percent. Ligation of fistula and primary oesophageal end to end anastormosis was performed in 28 patients and in 4 neonates oesophagostomy and gastrostomy were performed. Survival rate of category A was 80 percent and overall survival was 40.63 percent