No abstract

Background: Congenital malformations are of major concern as they are cosmetically unacceptable, often associated with significant functional abnormalities and may sometimes even be life-threatening. This study was done to explore the prevalence of structural congenital malformation among hospital newborns, both live and stillborn in a tertiary care center in Southern India.Methods: This hospital-based prospective study involving all inborn neonates and still births was conducted for the period from January 2014 to December 2014. A total of 2276 newborn (2217 live births and 59 still births) were clinically examined for detection of gross congenital malformations and relevant investigations including karyotyping was done. Risk factors that had probable associations with birth defects were estimated by calculating the Odd’s Ratio. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-Square test.Results: The prevalence of congenital malformations was 12%. Major malformations accounted for 53.28% and minor malformations 46.71%. The commonest structural malformation involved cardiovascular system. 58% of neonates did not require life style medications whereas 21.17% required surgical intervention. 20.8% of the cases succumbed to death.Conclusions: Autopsy of stillborn babies should be done to evaluate the cause and incidence of malformations. High risk mothers should be identified in the antenatal period to detect malformations early and plan management accordingly.

Background: The aim of this study was to know the pattern & rationality of antimicrobial prescription by dental practitioners. Methods: It was questionnaire based cross sectional study. A total of 175 questionnaires were distributed to dental practitioners working in a tertiary care Dental College & Hospital and private practitioners in Jaipur (Rajasthan). The questionnaire contained questions about years of practice, diagnosis for which antimicrobial were prescribed, dosage and duration of antimicrobial drugs for prophylaxis, acute and chronic conditions, patient compliance & adverse effects. Data was expressed as counts and percentages. Results: Out of 175 questionnaires distributed, 150 were included in the study. 78% dentists had practices less than 5 years duration. Most common indications for which antimicrobials were prescribed were abscess, cellulitis, irreversible pulpitis, and acute gingivitis. Most common antimicrobials used for prophylaxis were Amoxycillin and Metronidazole. For the treatment of acute and chronic conditions, Amoxycillin, Metronidazole, Ofloxacin and Ornidazole alone or in combination were used. Only 20% dentist advised culture & sensitivity tests. 74% patients completed the recommended course of antimicrobials. 56% patients reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with the most common being nausea and vomiting, but only 13% dentists reported them to proper authorities. Conclusions: In this study, Amoxycillin and Metronidazole were the most common drugs used for the management of oral diseases, but were prescribed without culture & sensitivity in most cases. 56% patients reported ADRs, but only 13% dentists reported them to proper authorities. Appropriate measures need to be taken to promote rational prescribing and ADR reporting. [Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2013; 2(3.000): 311-314

Background: This study aimed to understand the regional variation in the socio-demographic and clinical profile of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients at antiretroviral therapy plus centre of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) hospital, Jaipur, India.  Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on HIV patients from January to December 2019. The HIV-positive patients of all age groups and all categories were included in the study. The socio-economic status was assessed by BG Prasad classification-based consumer price index. However, the clinical staging was done according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of HIV/AIDS. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Results: Among 525 HIV patients 59.16% were males, 40.26% females and 0.57% intersex. About half (51.0%) in the reproductive age group with mean age 36 ±13 years. The commonest mode of HIV transmission was heterosexual (89.77%). Maximum belonged to social class I (57.84%) and class II (26.05 %) of BG Prasad's socioeconomic status. Each of the non-agricultural laborers and semi-skilled workers constitutes 18.0%, and the housewives were 23.6%. At the time of presentation, baseline CD4+Tcell count was <350 /mm3 in 55.0% of HIV patients. Pulmonary tuberculosis and skin involvement were the most predominant secondary opportunistic infections accounting for 24.8% and 7.8%, respectively. More than half (52.09%) of patients were in WHO clinical stage I of HIV disease. Conclusion: Socio-demographic and clinical profile of study participants reflect an impact of early case detection and timely institution of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

The objective of our study was to assess the pattern of prescribing prescriptions and cost analysis among the geriatric patients attending the Medicine Outpatient Department of NIMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur. After taking permission from the Institutional Ethical Committee, prescriptions of 235 geriatric patients attending the medicine outpatient department of NIMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, were noted and demographic profile, commonly prescribed drugs as per Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) and WHO core indicators were assessed after taking written informed consent from the patients. Out of 235 patients, 130(55.31%) were males and 105(44.68%) were females and most of the patients were in the age group of 81-85 for males 65-70 for females. Maximum number of patients were having cardiovascular diseases (n=196) followed by respiratory disorders (n=172) and musculoskeletal diseases (n=153). 89 patients (38%) were having three comorbid conditions. Average number of drugs per prescription was 5.51(1296/235). Drugs on WHO EML were 546 while on NLEM was779. Drugs prescribed by generic names were 31.94%, is less than that prescribed by their brand names 68.05%. Average cost per prescription was INR 18.75 per day. Drugs prescribed as fixed dose combinations were 324. Drugs acting on cardiovascular system (n=356) were the most commonly used drugs in our study followed by antibiotics (n=127) and bronchodilators (n=126). Thus irrational prescribing and polypharmacy were prevalent among elderly.

A polluted marine environment may end in food chain and pose risk to public health. A study was undertaken to analyze the level of heavy metal concentrations chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), lithium (Li) and titanium (Ti) in sea foods harvested from fish landing centres Ennore, Royapuram and Pattinapakkam located in Chennai. The samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry method (ICP-OES). The highest average concentration of heavy metals was recorded from Ennore (10.70 mg kg -1 ) and in crabs (11.7 mg kg -1 ) among the sea foods. Ni was highest and Fe was lowest recorded from all the study sites. Chi square analysis revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the study areas and seafood varieties. Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn exceeded and Cu, Fe and Pb were within the permissible limits of WHO (1989) for human consumption.

No abstract

Mercury is an element that has been known for at least 4000 years (Chang 1985). It is a metal that is liquid at room temperatures and is widely used in our modern society. Today, the unique chemical and physical properties of mercury are widely used in industry, agriculture, medicine, mining, dentistry and other areas of everyday life. Some of these are used in the manufacture or processing of felt, fireworks, batteries, blackening brass, photography pigments for rubber and plastics, wine colouring and medicine. Medical compounds comprised of 75 % of the list and included antibacterial, antiseptic, topical anaesthetic, immunosuppressant, anti-infective and fungicide, diuretic, cathartic and preservative agents. There are two goals to treatment. First, get rid of the mercury, second, control symptoms so you can be comfortable and productive during the prolonged period when mercury is removed and healing takes place. In order to control the symptoms it is necessary to identify the metabolic defects mercury is causing for you