Steatosis and chronic hepatitis C virus infection

To asses the presence of steatosis and other histological changes in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Liver biopsy samples were reviewed for presence of steatosis, its degree and other histological changes of hepatitis C including necro-inflammatory score, fibrosis grade and these changes were correlated with liver function tests. A total of 109 liver biopsy samples were reviewed. Mean age of the patients was 44.46 +/- 13.93 years and 62 [56.8%] were male. Mean necro-inflammatory score was 2.32 +/- 0.95. Mean fibrosis grade was 1.69 +/- 1.12. No Steatosis was found in 42 [38.5%] samples and mild to severe degree of steatosis was found in 67 [61.5%] samples. In this study, nearly 62% of liver biopsy samples had some degree of steatosis. Whether this steatosis increases occurrence of severe form of fibrosis or is an associated phenomena with chronic inflammation needs to be further clarified

Distribution of T4 TSH values in children - the Shifa experience

To evaluate the distribution of Thyroxin [T4] and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone [TSH] values in children of various age groups attending our hospital. Subject and We have retrospectively reviewed the T4, TSH levels recorded at our hospital in children from birth to 5 years and evaluated the reference intervals for T4 TSH amongst different ages. Non parametric methods were used to establish a 97.5th, 95th, 50th, 5th and 2.5th centiles. In T4 [n=1148] and TSH [n=1142] samples reviewed a TSH surge following delivery showed a sharp decline in the first 4 days of life. This was followed by a more gradual downward trend. Data on T4 estimations showed a similar but more gradual downward trend in advancing age groups. The 5th - 95th centile reference range for TSH showed values between 1.7--22.5 [0--4days; n=992], 0.6--13.3 [5--7days; n=36], 0.9--14.0 [1week--1 month; n=38], 0.5--13.6 [1month-1 year; n=38] and 0.4--12.8 [1--5 years; n=38] microIU/mL. The 5th - 95th centile reference range for T4 showed values between 10.7-25.0 [0-4days; n=995], 6.5--20.4 [5--7 days; n=35], 8.0-18.1 [1week--1month; n=38], 6.0--16.1 [1month--1year; n=41], 6.9-15.3 [1--5 years; n=39] micro gm/dl. We recommend using separate T4 and TSH reference values for children in different age groups. Further large-scale studies should be done in Pakistan to establish these reference values within age groups. A national center for neonatal thyroid screening is highly recommended