Pattern of solid paediatric malignant neoplasm at LUMHS, Jamshoro, Pakistan

To evaluate pattern and frequency of solid malignant tumour in paediatric age group in our region. A retrospective study of 113 patients, whose surgical biopsies submitted in histopathology section of Pathology department, LUMHS Jamshoro from January 2001 to December 2005. Total of 113 cases, 61 male and 52 female children in age group from 4 months to 15 years were diagnosed as solid malignant tumour with M/F ratio of 1.79:1 and mean age of 6.6 year. Maximum no. of patients was in 0-4 age 50.4%, followed by 32.7% in 4-9 and 16.8% in 10-15 years. The five most common tumours were Retinoblastoma 38.9%, Wilm's tumour 13.2%, Brain tumour [Glial tumours] 10.6%, Hodgkin disease 9.7% and soft tissue sarcomas 9.7%. Retinoblastoma and Wilm's tumour were common in 0-4 year age group, where as rest of tumour were more frequent in 5-9 and 10-15 years age group. Brain tumours and soft tissue sarcomas were common in females, while Hodgkin's disease was more common in males. Retinoblastoma was most common solid malignant tumour in early age group. It calls for ophthalmologic screening of all children below 1 year and high risk children until the age of 7 year, in order to detect retinoblastoma as early as possible

Hepatitis-B surface antigen [HBSAG] screening and vaccination experience in Tharparkar

Hepatitis B is a very common communicable viral disease due to multiple uses of syringes and infusions, unsafe blood transfusions. Tharparkar desert where doctors and health facilities are less as compare to other parts of Sindh Province, a study based on proforma filled during free hepatitis B vaccination and Hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] tests, conducted with the sponsorship of pathologist and philanthropists In two towns [Naukot and Chalhar total population of 10,000] of Tharparkar desert selected for this services during January 2005 to January2006. Total 612 residents of theses towns were enrolled for screening and and vaccination services of Hepatitis B out of 612, residents 321 were male 291 were female their age was ranging, from less than 10 years to more than 60 years. The HBsAg surface antigen was positive in 45 males and 28 females showing 73 out of 539 +ve cases giving HbsAg positive rate 11.9%. which is more than the national average of 10%. Study found early adolescence and teenagers showed high carrier rate. This is an alarming situation and needs urgent remedlal steps to prevent this growing problem HBV Vaccine in EPI is showing positive results and children below 10 are showing low infection rate than adults showing and adolescent ages