Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of rare, permanent genetic bone disorders resulting from the mutations in genes encoding type 1 collagen. It usually is inherited by an autosomal dominant pattern, but it can sometimes occur sporadically. Among the four main types, type III is the most severe type which presents with multiple bone fractures, skeletal deformities, blue sclera, hearing, and dental abnormalities. It is estimated that only 1 in 20,000 cases of OI are detected during infancy, and the diagnosis carries a poor prognosis. This case is reported for the rarity of sporadic OI diagnosis in neonates. We present a case of a 1-day-old neonate following a normal vaginal delivery referred to our center in the view of low birth weight and multiple bony deformities. Physical examination revealed an ill-looking child with poor suckling, gross bony deformities in upper and lower limbs, and blue sclera. X-ray showed thin gracile bones with multiple bone fractures. Echocardiography revealed a 4 mm patent ductus arteriosus. The patient was diagnosed with type III OI with patent ductus arteriosus. Though OI is rare in neonates and infants, it should be considered in the differentials in a newborn presenting with multiple bony deformities regardless of family history, history of trauma, or physical abuse. OI is also associated with cardiac anomalies such as the atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus for which echocardiography is recommended routinely.
Cervical rib is a rare anatomical anomaly with an incidence of 0.2%-1% and is an important cause of thoracic outlet syndrome. We present a case series of five female patients with a mean age of 20.6 (15-26) years, symptoms present were neck pain, neck mass, tingling sensation and weakness in the affected side. Symptoms develop in adolescence probably due to sagging of the shoulders and a disproportion between chest and neck growth at this age. X-rays of cervical spine was a common mode of diagnosis and showed bilateral cervical rib in three cases and unilateral in two cases. They were managed by performing surgeries under supraclavicular approach with resection of cervical rib of affected side. There was improvement of symptoms with restoration of limb function with a mean time of recovery of 9 weeks. Early diagnosis is important as differential diagnosis of such symptoms may be cervical stenosis and myelopathy which differ in management and have a greater risk of morbidity. In absence of intervention, cervical ribs can lead to compression of neurovascular structures leading to worsening of symptoms, thrombosis of subclavian artery or cerebral emboli.
Caesarean section is performed when there are pregnancy related complications and vaginal delivery cannot be tried or fails. The effect of pandemic lockdown on the availability as well as accessibility of health services is a global concern. The aim of this study was to find out the caesarean section rate and its indication at a tertiary care hospital during COVID-19 pandemic.A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among women admitted for delivery in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary teaching hospital during the second wave of COVID-19 (1 May 2021-30 July 2021). Convenience sampling technique was applied and 1350 women were categorized into groups using Robson ten group classification system. Group size, group caesarean rate, absolute and relative contribution of each group to overall caesarean rate were calculated.Out of 1350 total deliveries during COVID-19, lower segment caesarean section was done in 446 (33.04%) (30.53-35.55 at 95% Confidence Interval). Major indication for caesarean section was previous caesarean in 185 (41.48%). Most women 202 (45.29%) were from the age group 24-30 years and gestational age between 37 and 42 weeks. Major contributor to the overall caesarean section rate was Robson group 5 (37%).This study showed higher prevalence of caesarean section delivery rate during COVID-19 pandemic than that compared with 2016 national statistics of Nepal. Despite of several challenges brought by the pandemic, pregnant women were still able to access the emergency obstetric care services in the Eastern part of Nepal. However, future studies should focus on exploring the situation in rural areas too.
Pernicious Anaemia is a rare autoimmune disorder prevalent among 0.1% of the general population and is characterised by decreased cobalamin absorption. This condition is overlooked because of its rarity, insidious onset of non-specific symptoms and clinically asymptomatic state. Elevated serum intrinsic factor antibody level along with reduced Vitamin B12 level confirms the diagnosis. Pallor and abdominal tenderness was present. Haematological investigations showed elevated platelet count, elevated Mean Cell Volume reduced haemoglobin level(11.4 g/dl), reduced Vitamin B12 and high serum intrinsic factor antibody level. Serum parietal cell antibody was positive. The patient responded well to parenteral Vitamin B12. In Pernicious anaemia, serum intrinsic factor antibody and parietal cell antibody are high which are responsible for reduced Vitamin B12 absorption. Studies have also shown positive correlation between H pylori and Pernicious Anaemia. Neurological symptoms are less common but may present as paraesthesia, changes in gait or spasticity due to peripheral neuropathy. It is also associated with autoimmune diseases. Untreated pernicious anaemia can lead to neurological and gastrointestinal complications. Pernicious Anaemia is an overlooked condition because of its insidious onset of non-specific symptoms, clinically asymptomatic state, rarity and therefore timely diagnosis of Pernicious Anaemia still remains a challenge.
Introduction: Changes in the lifestyle, food habits, lack of nutritious diet, stress, physical inactivity increases the body mass index among adults. Excess weight gain is an important risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers (endometrial, breast, colon). Thus, this study aims to find out body mass index of medical students of a medical college in Nepal.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of physiology of a tertiary care center from August 2019 to February 2020 after taking ethical clearence from Institutional Review Committee (Reference number 192/19). Height and weight were recorded and body mass index was then being calculated. Data entry was done in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22.
Results: Out of 266 medical students, 39 (15%) were overweight and 32 (12%) were underweight with mean body mass index 26.60±1.99kg/m2 and 17.13±1.19kg/m2 respectively. Mean body mass index of males was 21.76±3.06kg/m2 and that of females was 21.70±2.96 kg/m2.
Conclusions: Comparing with a similar study done in Nepal previously, we found a higher prevalence of overweight in medical students whereas majority of medical students had normal weight. Factors affecting body mass index in medical students should be explored further.
Varicella Zoster is a neurotropic virus which leads to acute varicella or it may lay dormant in the spinal root ganglion. Reactivation of varicella zoster causes Herpes Zoster (HZ) and occurs commonly in immunosuppressed conditions like COPD. Severity of Herpes Zoster is also higher among those with comorbidities like COPD. Even among COPD patients, the severity of HZ is said to be higher among those using oral corticosteroids than those using inhaled steroids due to greater immunosuppressive effect. It has also been found that incidence rate of COPD exacerbations, transient ischemic attack and stroke are higher among COPD patients with HZ compared to those without HZ. Herpes zoster vaccinations prevent reactivation of latent HZ and reduce the associated complications. Live attenuated and recombinant vaccines are available for vaccination among which recombinant vaccine is found to be more effective. The cost burden due to HZ among COPD patients was also higher compared to those without HZ. Childhood varicella vaccination is cost effective, however cost effectiveness of adolescent vaccination is unclear.