Vitamin D deficiency is high among pregnant urban Pakistani women and their newborns. This public health problem needs urgent attention.

Objective: The aim was to estimate the prevalence of Insulin Resistance (IR) in Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and analyze its clinical parameters. Methodology: This observational study was conducted at Dow University Hospital during June 2011 till May 2012. Patients of PCOS were selected, an anthropometric measurement, examination and fasting blood test for sugar (FBS) and insulin was performed. Data was collected on pre designed questionnaire, was analyzed by SPSS version 16. Results: Forty-six cases of PCOS were included in the study. Prevalence of IR was 34.78%. Mean age of patients was 23.72 ± 4.37 years. Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) was raised in 42 (91.30%), acanthosis was found in 26(56.50%), impaired FBS was seen in 9 (19.6%) and raised fasting insulin in 16 (34.8%) patients. There was significant association between acanthosis and WHR (0.044) and between acanthosis and FBS (0.008). Correlation studies between parameters showed a significant correlation between Waist & Hips (0.93), similarly Waist & WHR showed positive correlation (0.59), at p< 0.01. Significant positive correlation was also found between waist and FBS (0.32) and FBS & WHR (0.378). Conclusion: Acanthosis nigrican, raised WHR and FBS are significant parameters for insulin resistance in cases of Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Striae gravidarum (SG) is a physiological skin change that many pregnant women experience during pregnancy. Striae gravidarum seems to be undesirable to many pregnant women but its impact on women’s life is unclear. It is a disfiguring change on the skin of pregnant women presenting atrophic linear scars. They may occur anywhere on the body, though the abdomen, breasts, hips and legs are common. This change has a deep impact on the psychology and quality of life (QoL) of women. The quality of life of pregnant women deteriorates with distressing body image, causing psychological problems.The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of striae gravidarum on the dermatology-specific quality of life (QOL) of pregnant women. Objectives:To evaluate the impact of Stria gravidarum on the dermatology - specific qualoty of life (QOL) among pregnant women.Method:A multi-disciplinary cross-sectional study was conducted among the pregnant women attending the outpatient department at Dow university hospital for antenatal visits in third trimester. Striae gravidarum was assessed by using Dave’s score. After taking informed consent, Skindex 16 dermatology specific QOL questionnaire was used to evaluate the QOL. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version -16. Using Mann Whitney level of significance <0.05.Study Design:A cross sectional study. Duration of Study: January 2016 till January 2017. Place of Study: Department of Dermatology and department of Gynecology, Dow University Hospital, Dow International Medical College (Ojha Campus), DUHS, Karachi.Result:Among 112 pregnant women striae gravidarum was present in 32(28.6%) in primigravida, and 80(71.4%) in multigravida.Severity of striae gravidarum was assessed by using Davey’s score. Pregnant women with severe striae gravidarum showed significantly higher scores on emotion of Skindex-16 compared with those with absent or mild striae gravidarum. Conclusion:It is concluded that due to Striae gravidarum, pregnant females worry more with greater concern regarding their appearance. Their interaction with others was found to be highly affected due to this disfiguring physical change. The symptoms, emotional well-being and functionality differed significantly when the women with mild SG were compared with those with severe SG, though no difference was observed when primiparae subjects were compared with multipara subjects.The occurrence and severity of striae gravidarum influenced their dermatology-specific QOL and it is important to prevent or reduce the severity of striae gravidarum.

Objective: To study anatomical variations of facial nerve encountered during parotid gland surgery. Study Design: Observational Study. Setting: Anatomy Department with the Collaboration of General Surgery Department at Dow University of Health Sciences and Dow Hospital (Ojha Campus Karachi). Period: December 2020 to May 2021. Material & Methods: Dissection of parotid gland was done in 50 cases including 10 cadavers (20 parotid glands) in anatomy department and 40 patients (40 parotid glands) admitted in general surgery ward undergoing parotid gland surgery for any pathology of the gland. Total 60 parotid glands were studied. Mean age of the cases was 31.6 ± 2.14 years with age range of 20-60 years. There were 10 female and 40 male cases. Results: In this study 60 parotid glands were dissected in 50 cases and facial nerve configuration was studied. In 46(92%) cases facial nerve pattern could be classified into main five types of the nerve pattern but in 04(08%) cases facial nerve pattern did not fit into any category of the classification. Type-III pattern of facial nerve distribution was commonly seen in 21(35%) glands. Conclusion: It is very important to keep knowledge of anatomical variations in facial nerve branching pattern in parotid gland to avoid its Injury during surgery.