Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis: a rare case.

A 6 month old girl presented with generalized hyperkeratosis, most marked over the flexures since birth. On the basis of the clinical& histopathologic findings, she was diagnosed as a case of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis .She was treated with retinoid therapy. Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (EHK) is an uncommon form childhood keratinizing disorder. Early in life it is associated with generalized blistering and erythroderma. Later on, it produces rippled type of hyperkeratosis. The purpose of this report is to highlight the features of this rare case.

Predictors of dengue mortality in a tertiary care hospital at Kolkata: A cross sectional study.

Background: Dengue fever, the most common arbo viral illness transmitted worldwide. Dengue infection in adolescents and adults is also a potential hazard in endemic areas, especially South-east Asia. Aims & Objective: The present study was done to evaluate the magnitude of dengue death and its predictor factors in a tertiary care hospital of Kolkata. Material and Methods: This observational cross sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre of Kolkata over 1 year period with 77 patients with a diagnosis of dengue fever based on the serology positive for dengue IgM with fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data were collected on predesigned questionnaire which include gender, clinical findings, complications and laboratory test. Baseline laboratory tests obtained were complete blood count (CBC), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), serum glutamine pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), SGOT, bilirubin, urea, creatinine and IgM. SPSS 16.0 version was used for statistical analysis. Results: Dengue mortality rate was 28.57% in this study. Among 5 lab parameters chosen i.e. leukopenia, bilirubin > 6 mg/dl, thrombocytopenia, altered PT/APTT, enzyme > 4 fold rise, raised urea/cr. On multivariate logistic regression analysis hyperbilirubinemia (> 6 mg/dl) was statistically significant predictor for mortality (as p value < 0.05). Conclusion: The laboratory parameters could predict the dengue mortality, so proper emphasis should be given to address the situation.