Burns in pediatric population admitted in two tertiary care hospitals

Burns in Pediatric population accounts for almost 77% of total burn cases in developing countries including Pakistan. To calculate the frequency and causes of burns in pediatric population. Prospective cross sectional survey done in the emergency departments of pediatric units of Mayo Hospital Lahore and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad over 6 months from July to December 2012. Subjects and All new cases of burns presenting to the emergency departments of these hospital were included in the study while those who were previously admitted with burns and were undergoing some reconstructive surgery or treated for complications were excluded. A questionnaire was completed by the duty doctor while interviewing the parents or care givers. The frequency of all variables was measured in percentage. A total of 600 children were enrolled in the study. Their ages ranged from 0-12 years with 270[45%] constituting toddlers between the ages of 1-2 years. Gender showed female predominance in 372[62%] cases. Place of injury was home in 80% cases [480]. Mothers were illiterate in 60% cases [370]. Commonest causes of burns were scalds [43.6%], followed by flame burns [20.6%], electrical burns [15.3%], chemical burns [10.2%] and other causes [10.3%]. Single multipurpose room of poor socioeconomic homes and maternal ignorance about burn prevention were common contributing factors. Burns were more in toddlers and in female gender. Creating awareness in mothers can reduce the injury Manifold

Causes of childhood unintentional injuries in urban cities of Pakistan

Unintentional childhood injuries are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and its incidence is higher in low to middle income countries. To determine the frequency of childhood unintentional injuries in pediatric units of two tertiary care hospitals. Prospective cross sectional study in pediatric surgical unit of Mayo Hospital, Lahore [01 July, 2012 to 30 September, 2012] and Children's Hospital, PIMS, Islamabad [01 October, 2012 to 31 December, 2012] July to December 2012. All children presenting with unintentional injuries to the pediatric surgical emergency of above two hospitals were included in study. Unintentional Injuries were [burns, RTAs, falls, piercing sharps etc.] are accidental injuries that occur without any planned intention of someone to harm children. Children who were previously treated for unintentional injuries, unexplained injuries, medico-legal cases were excluded from the study. An informed consent was taken [from the parents or care-givers] and the questionnaire was filled by the duty doctor through interview. The demographic data was taken. Age, Gender and maternal educational status were measured Frequency of all variables was measured and simple frequency was measured. The data was analyzed in SPSS 11 version. A total of 600 patients [300 from each selected hospital] were included in the study. The predominant cause of unintentional injury was burn [37.2%] followed by fall [21.5%] and pedestrian hit [16.1%]. Maximum unintentional injuries were noted in 6-10 years [45%] and minimum in 0-1 years [1%]. Male children were affected more [62%] as compared to females. Maternal education was low or nil in 40% cases with majority [46.6%] belonging to poor socioeconomic group. Home was the most frequent place of injury [58.7%]. This study showed that 37% of the unintentional injuries were due to burning and the most common place of injury was the home which may be reduced by creating awareness in public and especially by educating the mothers

Bioecology and conservation of the birds of hingol national park, balochistan

The studies were undertaken during the period 2006 to 2009 to record the distribution and status of the birds of Hingol National Park [HNP]. The main habitats of birds were found to be the coastal / estuaries areas, valleys, plains, desert areas, riverine, riparian areas and the near about of cultivation and human settlements. The important bird sites included Aghor area, Hingol River, Sapat, Sanguri, Kukri Bhent, Dhrun and Rodaini Kachho. A total of 158 species of birds were recorded, and bird fauna comprised of waterbirds, birds of prey, game birds, passerines and other birds [Parakeet, Nightjar, Swifts, Kingfishers, Bee Eaters, Roller, Hoopoe and Woodpecker]. The common species during the season were found to be Black Kite, Grey Partridge, Common Quail, Blue Rock Pigeon, Ring Dove, Little Brown Dove, Large Cormorant, White Pelican, Flamingo, Common Teal, Shoveller, Coot, Blackwinged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Redwattled Lapwing, Dunlin, Little Stint, Roseringed Parakeet, House Swift, Small Green Bee-eater, Greater Short-toed Lark, Brown-throated Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, White Wagtail, White-cheeked Bulbul, Common Babbler, House Crow, House Sparrow, Sind Jungle Sparrow, Sind Yellow throated Sparrow and Blackheaded Bunting. The threatened species of birds recorded in the HNP include Laggar Falcon, Pallas's Fishing Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Egyptian Vulture, Indian White backed Vulture, Painted Stork and Sociable Lapwing. 16 key species of birds were recorded based on park healthy conditions or integrity.viz, Grey Pelican, White Pelican, Dalmatian Pelican, Greater Flamingo, Sociable Lapwing, Crab Plover, Great Stone Plover, Black Ibis, Grey Partridge, See-see Partridge, Houbara Bustard, Sooty Gull, Imperial Eagle, Pallas's Fishing Eagle and Brown headed Raven. The key sites for birds such as Aghor, Hinglaj, Khundarch, Hingol River and the estuarine area may be conserved and developed as Bird watching sites

Duplication cyst in a new born

Intestinal duplication is a rare congenital anomaly. Duplications found in proximity of small intestine are the most common enteric duplications encountered and majority of these occurs in the ileum. They may be either cystic or tubular and most of them are located in the mesentery of intestine. We are here presenting a case of a neonate who got delivered by lower segment caesarean section [LSCS] with a huge abdominal mass. At surgery there was huge small gut duplication at ileum

Surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in a non-cardiac surgical centre

Surgery for Patent Ductus Arteriosus [PDA] is usually performed in specialized cardiac centres with either open surgery of percutaneous embolisation using different materials and devices. This involves high cost of treatment especially for those poor patients who have grown up to several years of age without seeking any treatment for their disease. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety of surgery for PDA in a non cardiac paediatric surgical setup. A total of 89 patients of 8 months to 12 years [mean 3 years] age were operated over a period of 13 years [from 1993 to 2006]. Fifty-five cases were females and 34 were males. Investigations included x-ray chest, ECG and echocardiography. All patients with PDA were included in the study except those who had other associated cardiac anomaly and those who had a calcified ductus. The ductus was dissected out and ligated with non-absorbable suture [Silk No. 1 or 2]. The patients were discharged by the 5[th] postoperative day. In majority of the patients the recovery was smooth and uneventful. Eight patients had minor complications which were treated conservatively. There were 3 mortalities in this series; 2 patients were over 10 years of age and had calcified ductus. They died during surgery due to primary haemorrhage and 1 died after 24 hours in the intensive care unit. All patients were reviewed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 1 year after surgery. In majority, the typical machinery murmur disappeared immediately or a soft systolic murmur persisted for up to 4 weeks and then disappeared. With proper patient selection, the procedure can safely be performed in a paediatric surgical setup with facilities for cardiac monitoring. The surgeon needs to receive some additional training in the cardiac institution for safe surgery on these children. This will significantly reduce the cost with minimal complications especially for those poor patients who cannot afford the modern procedures due to monitory constraints. Children older than 10 years are not suitable for open surgery because of calcification of the duct

Determination of induced effect of pesticide chlopyrifos [organophosphate] on skin of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis

Investigations were carried out on the effects of pesticide Chlorpyrifos [organophosphate] on skin of adult frogs of Euphlyctis cyanoplyctis. The effects of pesticide were observed on frog's skin during 90 days after the treatment. Study of skin cells was carried out by sectioning of fixed tissue by Paraffin Section Technique. The results obtained in the long-term experiment showed that under the effects of chlorpyrifos sections examined reveal skin covered fibrocollagenous tissue exhibiting areas of necrosis and aggregate of mild chronic inflammation, pigment containing basal keratinocytes were identified in epidermis. Variable size measured fibers with degenerated and regenerative changes also noted. A few fiber stain internalization took place in collection of chronic and non stapile inflammatory cells along with tissue necrosis. Chronic granulomatous inflamation is not identified. However, histolytic collision has been found. No evidence of malignancy was observed

Electrophysiological pattern of neuropapathy in Guillain-Barre syndrome

Guillain Barre Syndrome is an acute immune mediated polyneuropathy. We conducted a prospective study in Neurology Department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore to evaluate different electrophysiological patterns in Guillain Barre Syndrome. A total of 25 cases were registered over the period of one year and nerve conduction and electromyography was done on each patient. The break down of different patterns of neuropathy was 36% demylinated, 12% axonal and 52% of mixed variety having both demylinating and axonal components. From our study we conclude that pattern of neuropathy in GBS is nearly same as reported in most European and local studies except Chinese endemic cases where axonal form is more frequent

Adverse effects of some selected agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals in aquatic environment with reference to amphibians and fish

The agrochemicals and pharmaceutical effluents released into the aquatic environment without toxicological risk have the abilities to disrupt the function of endocrine systems. A number of aquatic species are being exposed to small amount of everything from Prozac to perfume to birth control pills that make their way into rivers and streams. Some antidepressants drugs cause development problems in fish, and metamorphosis delays in frogs. The health of amphibians can suffer from exposure to pesticides because of their semi permeable skin, the development of their eggs and larvae in water, and their position in the food web, amphibians can be exposed to waterborne and airborne pollutants in their breeding and foraging habitats. Some studies have shown that several frogs, toads and other amphibian species, especially at their more vulnerable larval stages, can be highly susceptible to fairly low levels of nitrate and nitrite exposure. When exposed to moderate amounts of nitrates and nitrites, some tadpoles and young frogs reduced their feeding activity, swam less vigorously, developed physical abnormalities, suffered paralysis and eventually died. Several agrochemicals reduced the cholinesterase activity of frogs. Some results reported that the trout absorb waterborne pyrene through the branchial and dermal routes