Total abdominal hysterectomy in a patient with immune thrombocytopenic Purpura: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura poses unique challenges in surgical settings due to an increased risk of bleeding. This report details the perioperative management of a patient with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura undergoing Total Abdominal Hysterectomy, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches for such cases. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old female with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and symptomatic uterine fibroids, despite medical management, opted for Total Abdominal Hysterectomy. Prednisolone therapy and platelet transfusion were used preoperatively to optimize platelet counts. DISCUSSION: Effective management was achieved through meticulous surgery, continued prednisolone therapy, and vigilant postoperative monitoring. This case highlights the value of a multidisciplinary approach in ensuring positive surgical outcomes for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura patients. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: This case underscores the significance of individualized perioperative care for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura patients undergoing major surgery. By optimizing medical therapy and maintaining close monitoring, favorable results can be achieved, enhancing the quality of life for such patients. It is recommended that such comprehensive approaches are considered in similar cases.

Acute chest syndrome and COVID-19 in hydroxyurea naïve sickle cell disease patient in a low resource setting.

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a severe complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) and one of the leading causes of mortality in SCD patients. The management of ACS is challenging and requires prompt intervention to halt clinical deterioration. With the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which also primarily results in acute respiratory illness, the clinical picture and treatment outcome in SCD patients with ACS remain unknown. We present a case of a 30-year-old male who came in with features of painful vaso-occlusive episode and haemolysis that later evolved to acute chest syndrome. Chest X-ray showed pneumonic changes and mild bilateral pleural effusion, and nasal Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for COVID-19 test came out positive. He was managed supportively with simple transfusion, antibiotics, dexamethasone and oxygen support with a good clinical outcome. Presenting with non-specific symptoms and similar respiratory symptoms and signs, the clinical picture of COVID-19 can prove difficult to discern from that of ACS due to other causes. This report emphasizes a need for a higher index of suspicion whenever a SCD patient presents with symptoms of acute respiratory distress.

Anaemia in the Hospitalized Elderly in Tanzania: Prevalence, Severity, and Micronutrient Deficiency Status.

INTRODUCTION: Anaemia is a common problem in sub-Saharan Africa. While most literature has focused on children, women of childbearing age, and pregnant women, data for the elderly population are relatively scarce. Anaemia exhorts negative consequences to functional ability of elderly patients, both physically and cognitively. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia, severity, and micronutrient deficiency status in the elderly hospitalized patients in Tanzania. METHODS: A total of 156 hospitalized adults aged 60 years and above were enrolled in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to capture sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Blood samples were collected, and a complete blood count, serum cobalamin, serum ferritin, and serum folate levels were measured to assess anaemia and micronutrient deficiency status in all participants who had anaemia. RESULTS: The prevalence of anaemia was 79.5% (124/156) with severe anaemia in 33.9% (42/124) of participants, moderate anaemia in 42.7% (53/124) of participants, and 23.4% (29/124) of all participants had mild anaemia. Micronutrient deficiency was found in 14.5% (18/124) of all participants with anaemia. Combined deficiency (either iron and vitamin B12 deficiency or iron and folate deficiency) was the most common micronutrient deficiency anaemia with a frequency of 33.3% (6/18), followed by isolated iron and folate deficiencies at equal frequency of 27.8% (5/18) and vitamin B12 deficiency at 11.1% (2/18). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anaemia in the hospitalized elderly population is high warranting public health attention and mostly present in moderate and severe forms. Micro-nutrient deficiency anaemia is common in this age group and is mostly due to combined micronutrient deficiency.