Frequency of hepatitis B and C among patients undergoing elective eye surgery

To determine the frequency of hepatitis B and C in patients undergoing elective eye surgery. This cross sectional hospital based study was conducted at Eye Department, Combined Military Hospital [CMH] Kharian, from Jan 2011 to June, 2012 and included 554 patients of age groups 14 to 90 years, who were to undergo elective eye surgery. All had HBsAg and anti-HCV by ELISA. Out of 554 patients, there were 443 [79.96%] males and [20.04%] females. 48 [8.70%] patients were found to be positive for Hepatitis B or C. Preoperative screening of patients is importance in preventing the spread of these blood borne viral infections to the medical staff

Harlequin ichthyosis in two siblings

Harlequin ichthyosis is a rare and extremely severe form of congenital ichthyosis. The affected neonates usually do not survive beyond first few days after birth, but several long-term survivals have been noted. The inheritance is thought to be autosomal recessive. It has recently been shown that the vast majority of affected individuals are homozygous for mutations in the ABCA12 gene, which cause a deficiency of the epidermal lipid transporter and result in hyperkeratosis and abnormal barrier function. Prenatal diagnosis is possible. We report a case of a newborn with Harlequin ichthyosis, a product of consanguineous marriage, with a history of similar disease leading to early neonatal death previously in a sibling