Prevalence of mental retardation in urban and rural populations of the goiter zone in Northwest India.

Background: The existence of an endemic goiter belt along the southern slopes of the Himalayas has been known for a long time. Prevalence of neonatal hypothyroidism is high and there has been little work on the prevalence of mental retardation in this part of India. Objective: The study was conducted with the aim to know the prevalence of mental retardation in the urban and rural populations of Himachal Pradesh, India and to generate a hypothesis on the differential distribution (geographical) of mental retardation. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural and urban areas of the district of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India among children of 1-10 years of age. In the first phase, the children in the age group of 1-10 years were screened for mental retardation using the Ten Questions Screen, whereas in the second phase the suspects were evaluated clinically. Results: The prevalence of mental retardation was found to be 1.71% in the study population with higher prevalence (3.3%) in the 73-120 months age group. The prevalence was higher among the males in all study populations [rural: 1.9%, urban (nonslum): 1.6%, and urban slum: 7.14%). The prevalence was similar among the urban (nonslum) (1.75%) and rural (1.11%) populations, whereas it was higher (4%) in the urban slum population. A prevalence of 2% was seen in families from the lower middle class and 1.8% among families from the lower class in the rural population, whereas a prevalence of 2% was seen among lower middle class families of urban (nonslum) areas. Conclusion: The prevalence of mental retardation was higher in our study than in other parts of the country. The study concludes with the hypothesis that the prevalence of mental retardation is differentially distributed geographically with socioeconomic factors being important predictors.

Retroaortic Left Renal Vein with Cascade of Complications in a Neonate.

Background: Retroaortic left renal vein, is a rare congenital anomaly. Case characteristics: A 14-day-old male neonate with retrocrortic left renal vein with posterior nutcracker phenomenon resulting in renal congestion. Observation: He developed septicemia, renal abscess and thrombosis of abdominal aorta. Outcome: Improvement on antibiotics and heparin. Message: Retroaortic left renal vein can cause life threatening complications.

Heparin: Induced thrombocytopenia: Incidence and laboratory approach to diagnosis in Indians.

Background and objectives: One of the most common complications of heparin administration is heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) which can also lead to catastrophic thrombotic events. The problem of identifying the cause of thrombocytopenia, as due to heparin, in patients with multiple co-morbid conditions is very essential for management. Thus, the laboratory investigations for diagnosis of HIT play a pivotal role. The objective of the study was to arrive at the incidence of HIT in ethnic Indian population and provide a decision after analysis of tests used to diagnose HIT. Materials and Methods: 125 consecutive patients (Power of study being 80%) undergoing open heart surgery and receiving unfractionated heparin were taken as subjects. Blood samples were collected a day before the surgery and days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after surgery. The cases were categorized into probable and unlikely groups depending on the clinical presentation and degree fall of platelet count. Antiheparin PF4-associated antibodies were detected using rapid-ID gel microtyping system and ELISA tests. HIT was also tested using functional assays:- heparininduced platelet aggregation test (PAT) and the rapid luminographic assay of heparin-induced ATP release. Results: Of the 125 patients, 11 patients were clinically labeled as probable HIT and 29 patients were clinically labeled as unlikely HIT. There were seven confi rmed cases of HIT cases that were positive for one functional and one immunological assay. Only one case of HITT was encountered. Accordingly, the incidence of HIT was found to be 5.6 % and that of HITT to be 0.8%. ELISA tests were positive in 21 cases (17%) which demonstrated the presence of anti-HPF4 antibodies in non-HIT cases as well. It was found that the rapid gel test had sensitivity comparable to functional assay with better specifi city than ELISA. Interpretation and conclusions: Incidence of HIT in ethnic Indian population is 5.6%. Patients with a drop of >50% in platelet count should be perused as a likely candidate of HIT. These cases should be subjected to the ID-HPF4 antibody assay as this is a rapid test, can be done for individual cases, and has better specifi city and similar sensitivity than ELSIA. Cases with clinically probable HIT and a positive ID-HPF4 assay can be taken as confi rmed cases of HIT. However, cases clinically unlikely for HIT and a positive ID-HPF4 assay should be subjected to another test to establish the diagnosis of HIT.