Type 1 diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder in children and adolescents. Alteration of serum magnesium level may be associated with metabolic control and diabetic complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum magnesium level and find out its relationship with glycemic control in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents. For this study 80 type 1 diabetic children & adolescents with age range 1 to 18 years and 80 aged matched healthy controls were enrolled from the outpatient department of Changing Diabetes in Children, Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine & Metabolic disorders, General Hospital, Dhaka. Using a cross sectional design, we measured anthropometric parameters and serum magnesium level of all study subjects. We also estimate the fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels of the diabetic children and adolescents and controls. The mean ± SD of serum magnesium level was significantly lower in patient with type 1 DM compared to control (0.7 ± 0.1 vs 0.8 ± 0.1 mmol/L respectively; p= < 0.001). Lower level of magnesium was found in subjects with poor glycemic control compared to good glycemic control (0.6 ± 0.1 vs 0.8 ± 0.1 mmol/L respectively; p= < 0.001). This study showed that serum magnesium level was lowered  in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents and it was strongly associated with poor glycemic control which potentially contributing to the early development of diabetic complications. Bangladesh Med J. 2019 Sep; 48 (3): 16-20

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM), Dhaka, Bangladesh, between July 2016 and June 2017, to evaluate serum zinc level and its relationship with glycemic control in type 1 diabetic children. A total of 160 participants (all aged between 1 and 18 years) were selected from the outpatient department (OPD) of BIRDEM General Hospital-2, Dhaka – 80 type 1 diabetic children as cases and 80 apparently healthy children as controls. We measured anthropometric parameters all study subjects. Serum zinc level was assessed using colorimetric method. Fasting plasma glucose level was estimated using enzymatic glucose-oxidase method. Glycemic control was evaluated through estimation of HbA1c using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method. The mean serum zinc levels were significantly lower in patient with type 1 DM compared to control (72.5±16.5 vs. 82.4±13.3 μg/dl; P<0.001). Lower levels of zinc were found in subjects with poor glycemic control compared to good glycemic control (62.8±14.6 vs. 78.8±14.6 μg/dl; P<0.001). Moreover, serum zinc levels were significantly lower in patients who have duration of diabetes mellitus for 5 years or more (P<0.05). To summarize, serum zinc level is lower in type 1 diabetic children in comparison to its healthy counterpart and this lower zinc level is strongly associated with poor glycemic control which may potentially contribute to the early development of diabetic complications in children. CBMJ 2022 July: vol. 11 no. 02 P: 80-85

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease of skin and multiple organs of body. The exact etiology of psoriasis is not yet certain. It is assumed that trace elements may have some role in pathogenesis of psoriasis. They can act as co-enzymes for metabolism and can act as antioxidants against free radicals. Therefore they can participate in epidermal proliferation and inflammatory process of psoriasis. This study aimed to evaluate the relation between psoriasis and trace elements namely zinc and copper. This study was conducted on 40 diagnosed cases of psoriasis and 40 non psoriatic individuals in the department of Dermatology and Venereology in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka. Biochemical analyses of serum copper and zinc were analyzed and compared statistically with cases and healthy controls. Serum zinc level was significantly lower and serum copper level was significantly higher in patient with psoriasis compared to control (p= < 0.001). Individuals with moderate to severe psoriasis had significantly lower zinc levels and significantly higher copper levels than patients with mild psoriasis, according to Psoriasis area and Severity Index Score (p= < 0.05). Correction of serum zinc and copper level could be beneficial for psoriasis patients. Bangladesh Med J. 2021 May; 50(2) : 28-31

Bony changes in lepromatous leprosy are one of the causes of deformity and disability. Fasting calcium and creatinine ratio in urine is used as a bone resorption marker in a number of diseases such as hyperthyroidism, osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, paget’s disease and sarcodosis. In lepromatous leprosy assessment of bone resorption might be done with that marker. To assess the role of fasting urinary calcium and creatinine ratio as a marker of bone resorption in patients with lepromatous leprosy. A case control study was conducted on 28 patients diagnosed as lepromatous leprosy and 28 age-matched healthy control. The participants who fulfilled all inclusion and exclusion criteria were studied by measuring fasting urinary calcium and creatinine level as well as observing X-rays of both hands and feet of affected individuals. The mean age of cases 38.1±14.2 years and 38.9±12.9 years was in control group. Male - female ratio was 3.6: 1. It was observed that 10.7% leprosy patients showed urinary Ca/Cr ratio >0.20 (0.13±0.12) and 10.7% healthy control showed urinary Ca/Cr ratio ratio>0.20 (mean ±SD 0.11±0.7). the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). X-ray finding was positive in 14.3% leprosy patients and none of the control group. That difference was not significant statistically (p>0.05). there was no relation between raised urinary Ca/Cr ratio and positive findings of bone resorption on x-rays among the leprosy cases. Bangladesh Med J. 2019 Sep; 48 (3): 28-33