A prime obstacle faced by a medical educator is selecting the right student to be trained as a doctor, and the general consensus is that . this is a Iso the most difficult task. This stud y was designed to evaluate the effects of selected outcome measures on outcome performance of medical undergraduates of the University of Colombo.A retrospective cohort stud y was cond ucted using the performance (marks) of students of 4 batches GCE (AIL) 1993 through to 1996). GCE (AIL) aggregate marks, attempt of entry, district of entry, English language proficiency and sex were tested as predictors of success. Results of main assessments were considered as measures of success. Relationship between outcome measures and outcome predictors were assessed lIsing the multiple logistic regression model. Data of 699 students were analyzed and 82% of students entered from the Colombo district . A higher percentage of first Sellior Professora ttempters (at GCE AIL) performed well and obtained classes. Entering medical school from first two GCE A I L examination attempts was a significant positive predictor of passing any examination (odds ratio 3.2 to 7.5) or obtaining honors (odds ratio 2.8 to 16.0). Attempt of entry predicted 5 .4% of the outcome (pass or fail) in university performance. Correlation between the GCE A I L aggregate mark and the student's position in order of merit for the internship appointments was -0.37 (p<0.001).A combination of factors should be used in the selection process of students to embark on the undergraduate process as any single factor is a poor predictor of outcome of performance. We believe that the number of attempts allowed to sit forGCE A I L in order to gain entry to a medical school as well as other degree courses should be confined to two attempts.

Introduction: Although some highlighted problems such as parental stress, child behavioural problems and financial instability occur after transplantation, much still remains unknown about the extent, nature, reasons and implications of family difficulties caused by renal transplantation in childhood. Objectives: To examine the psychosocial aspects, levels of parental stress and behavioural problems among children after renal transplantation and to study the predictors of psychosocial issues in the study sample. Design, setting and method: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted at the University Paediatric Unit of the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya in September-October 2012. All patients who are being followed up at the post renal transplant clinic were recruited to the study. Data was collected using an intervieweradministered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Results: Thirty-eight recipients of paediatric renal transplants were recruited. 67.5% were males. Feeling of happiness constantly or regularly was reported by 82.5% of children while irritability was a significant problem in 47.5%. Sleep disturbance was a recognized problem in 50% of children. At 2 years of transplantation 85 % of children had not attended school but at 5 years after transplantation school dropout was 10 %. This difference was ______________________________________

Objectives To study a group of mothers in a paediatric ward and describe sociodemographic profile, presence of existing disease, pulse and blood pressure (BP) profiles during hospital stay, psychological profile prior to admission and changes demonstrated during period of stay. Conclusions This study demonstrates that mothers who play a vital role in management of their sick children are under immense stress and have their own health issues and family commitments that are mostly not appreciated or addressed. A social worker assigned to paediatric wards could provide invaluable help to mothers to cope with the stressful situation of hospitalisation of a sick child.

Introduction: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a recognized cause of learning impairment in children. Several studies have shown that there is an increased prevalence of ADHD in children with epilepsy. Objectives:To determine the prevalence of ADHD and its associations in children with epilepsy in a secondary care referral centre.To analyze the clinical characteristics of epileptic patients in the study group. Methods:A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the General Hospital, Chilaw, Sri Lanka in September 2012. All patients aged over 3 years with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy for at least 1 year were recruited into the study until a sample size of 100 was achieved. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. ADHD was defined using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regressions were used in the analysis.Results: Sixty-one percent of the study populations were males. Seventy-four patients had generalized epileptic seizures and 26 patients had partial epileptic seizures. Twenty-nine (29%) of patients had ADHD. Male sex, partial epileptic seizure type, duration of epilepsy over 5 years and use of more than one anti-epileptic drug were significantly associated with increased risk of having ADHD. Having partial epileptic seizures and use of more than one antiepileptic agent were independent predictors for the development of ADHD in multiple logistic regression. Conclusions:More than one-fourth of epileptic children in this study had associated ADHD. Male sex, partial epileptic seizure type, duration of epilepsy over 5 years and use of more than one antiepileptic drug were significantly associated with ADHD.