Preferences of Pakistani mothers about weaning of their child and trendsin child under nutrition: a cross sectional study

Objectives: .To know the mothers preferences about breast feeding, weaning foods and its association with nutritional status of their children

Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out with 73 mothers having children aged between 6-1 8 months. Questions about weaning practices and weaning foods were asked. Children weight and height were taken

Results: 69.9% of mother belonged to poor class having household income less than Rs 20,000. Only 24.7% were post matric while rest of mother's education was less than metric. 74% mothers think that recommended age of weaning should be between 6-7 months and 68.5% mothers started weaning of their present child at 6 months of age.97.3% started weaning gradually and 75.3% preferred home prepared food for weaning of their child.54.4% mothers used hand to give weaning food to their child, while45.2% mothers used plate/cup and spoon for feeding.41.1 % mothers preferred khithcri as initial weaning food and 21.9% preferred custard to. start with weaning. Children who were breastfed have significant relationship with normal weight for age [p<0.05] shown In fig 3. 9.6% children were under weight and 9.6% were stunted in our sample

Conclusion: Mothers belonging to the walled city of Lahore demonstrated good weaning practices which are reflected by normal weight and height for age of almost 90% children in this study. The role of health professionals in advising mothers about good weaning practices is not remarkable. Mostly decisions about type of weaning food and time of initiating weaning are based upon self/previous experiences and advice from friends and family

Comparison of two sensitive TSH [thyrotropin] assays for evaluation of thyroid function

With the development of highly sensitive TSH assays, it is now possible to use TSH as a precise and specific first line test for the diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction and monitoring of the adequacy of thyroid hormone replacement therapy. It is essential to establish analytical/clinical decision limits for TSH assay. To determine and compare the decision limits for second generation and third generation assays in order to have an optimum sensitivity and specificity. Prospective, laboratory based. Department of Pathology, Naval Hospital Islamabad. Blood samples were collected from adult patients [n=450] of both sexes, suspected of thyroid function disorders. Serum TSH was measured using second generation IMx TSH assay kit along with FT4. T3 was measured in selected casess. Subjects were categorised after both clinical and biochemical assessment based on measurement of TSH, FT4 and T3. Sera of 125 subjects including 33 hyperthyroid, 13 hypothyroid and 79 randomly selected euthyroid subjects were analysed by third generation Immulite TSH assay kit along with FT4 and T3 [in selected cases only] for the comparison of two sensitive thyrotropin assays. There was a statistically significant correlation [r=0.96] between two thyrotropin assays in euthyroid and hypothyroid patients [p<0.0001] but in hyperthyroid patients, statistically insignificant correlation was found between IMx and Immulite TSH assay [r=0.017], p=0.92]. ROC curves were also plotted to compare the diagnostic accuracy. Both assays showed almost same diagnostic accuracy in euthyroid and hypothyroid patients but in hyperthyroid patients, Immulite TSH assay showed better sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value

audit of laparoscopic cholecysstectomies performed at PNS Shifa

Open cholecystectomy used to be the gold standard for more than 100 years, now this has been taken over by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The operation has proved its worth because of little post operative pain, minimal scar, reduced hospital stay [1-2 days] and convalescence 1 to 2 weeks as compared to open cholecystectomy. The only problem seems to be the proper training of surgeons for safety of the patient to avoid common bile duct [CBD] and other injuries