IntroductionRetinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a treatable cause of blindness in neonates. In Pakistan, ROP is often not recognized early because screening and treatment programs are not yet in place in most neonatal units, even in tertiary care hospitals. It is hoped that this report will help inform medical professionals of the magnitude of the problem and help to design appropriate management strategies.ObjectivesThe aim was to determine the frequency of ROP in premature and very low birth weight (BW) neonates (BW<1500 g and gestational age (GA) <32 weeks).Study DesignCross-sectional study.Study SettingNeonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.Study DurationFrom June 2009 to May 2010.Subjects and MethodsNeonates with a Birth weight (BW) <1500 g and Gestational Age (GA) <32 weeks who were admitted to the NICU and received an eye examination, or were referred for a ROP eye examination as an outpatient, were included in the study. GA was estimated from intrauterine ultrasound findings. Neonates with major congenital malformations, syndromes or congenital cataracts or tumors of the eyes, and those that died before the eye examination or did not attend the out patients department for an eye examination, were excluded. The neonatal eye examination was performed by a trained ophthalmologist at 4 or 6 weeks of age.ResultsOut of 86 neonates, ROP was identified in nine neonates (10.5%) at the first eye examination. ROP was significantly associated with BW (P = 0.037), GA (P = 0.033), and chronological age (P<0.001).Conclusionswe identified ROP in 10.5% of neonates at first eye examination. Significant associations between ROP and a GA<32 weeks and a BW<1500 g were also observed.we also stress that serial follow-up of neonates at risk for ROP is important when making a final diagnosis.
Joubert syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disease characterized by abnormal breathing patterns composed of episodic tachypnea/apnea, hypotonia, ataxia, developmental delay, intellectual impairment, ocular impairment, renal cysts, and hepatic fibrosis. We report the case of a 4-year-old boy who presented with global developmental delay, bilateral nystagmus, and gaze instability with difficulty walking and maintaining an upright posture. A detailed examination revealed facial dysmorphic features with a depressed nasal bridge and deepened orbital sockets. Neurological examination yielded positive results for hypotonia, gait ataxia, bilateral horizontal pendular nystagmus, and a grade 1 ptosis more prominent in the right eye. However, no abnormal breathing patterns were observed in our case. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the characteristic molar tooth sign and a batwing appearance of the fourth ventricle.
BackgroundTetanus in newborns, is an under-reported public health problem and a major cause of mortality in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the predictors and outcome of tetanus in newborn infants in the slums of Bin-Qasim town, Karachi, Pakistan.MethodsWe conducted a case–control study at primary health care centers of slums of Bin-Qasim town, area located adjacent to Bin Qasim seaport in Karachi, from January 2003 to December 2013. Cases were infants aged ≤30 days with tetanus, as defined by the World Health Organization. Controls were newborn infants aged ≤30 days without Tetanus, who were referred for a checkup or minor illnesses. The case to control ratio was 1:2.ResultsWe analyzed 26 cases and 52 controls. The case fatality was 70.8%. We identified four independent predictors of Tetanus in newborns: maternal education (only religious education with no formal education OR 51.95; 95% CI 3.69–731), maternal non-vaccination (OR 24.55; 95% CI 1.01–131.77), lack of a skilled birth attendant (OR 44.00; 95% CI 2.30–840.99), and delivery at home (OR 11.54; 95% CI 1.01–131.77).ConclusionsWe identified several potentially modifiable socio-demographic risk factors for Tetanus in newborns, including maternal education and immunization status, birth site, and lack of a skilled birth attendant. Prioritization of these risk factors could be useful for planning preventive and cost-effective measures.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.