Helicobacter pylori is one of the commonest bacterial pathogens in human. The organism is associated with development of peptic ulcer diseases, lymphoproliferative disorders and gastric cancer. Residence in a developing country, poor socio-economic conditions and genetic predisposition are regarded as risk factors. Prevalence of infection is higher in developing countries and re-infection is higher among under five children. It is transmitted mainly through feco-oral route in developing countries and gastro-oral route in developed nations. Transmission of 'close-contact infection' depends on the degree of mixing and age-distribution between susceptible and infected individuals. Host and bacterial factors with interaction of environment contribute pathogenicity. H. pylori cytotoxin-associated geneA (cagA), vacuolating toxinA (vacA) and adherence factors to gastric epithelium have been linked to enhanced pathogenicity of the bacterium. Host genetic polymorphism of cytokines, related legends, receptors and enzymes influence H. pylori infection.

Fast food refers to food that can be served ready to eat fast. Fast food and junk food are often used interchangeably. Energy dense food with high sugar/fat/salt content and low nutrient value in terms of protein, fiber, vitamin and mineral content is termed junk food. Many of our children are fond of such readymade food. Sponsorship of sports or cultural competitions with attractive gifts is the main way of promotion of first food sale. Nuclear families, working mother, socioeconomic status, close proximity of fast food shop, food test and quick service in the shop are important contributing factors of fast food consumption. This kind of food is responsible for obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart disease and diabetes. Easy availability of healthy food with reasonable prices along with its campaign, school midday-food programme and health education can improve dietary habits of children. Implementation of laws for regulation of marketing and selling of fast food may be another step in controlling consumption of such food by our children.

Background: Hypernatremic dehydration is a lethal condition in neonate which adversely affects central nervous system. Important causes of this condition in neonate are vomiting, diarrhea, improper preparation of infant formula, inadequate breast feeding and diabetes insipidus. Hypernatremic dehydration presents usually around tenth postnatal day. Clinical presentation is variable. Some present with lethargy; others are alert and hungry. Some are dehydrated whereas other are apparently hydrated. Treatment of hypernatremic dehydration consists of an emergency phase where restoration of vascular volume with 10 to 20 ml/kg of isotonic intravenous fluid is achieved followed by rehydration phase where sum of free water deficit and maintenance fluid volume is administered slowly. Conclusion:Rehydration is achieved with 5% dextrose in 0.2% normal saline, 5% dextrose in 0.45% normal saline or 0.9% normal saline according to serum sodium level. However, if the serum sodium is greater than 175 mmol/L, various amounts of 3% normal saline should be added. The daily maximum correction rate of serum sodium level should be 15 mmol/L. Addressing the etiological factors timely may be the proper way of prevention of such condition in neonate.

Background: Pulse oximetry is a convenient method of monitoring oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ). Pulse oximeter probes have been reported to be associated with injuries in neonates. Objectives: This study was conducted with the objective of examining whether application of a protective covering influences values of SpO 2 .Method: A cross sectional study was carried out in the Neonatology, over a period of one year. Hospitalized 140 neonates within 28 postnatal days were included in the study. Neonates with major congenital malformation, heart disease, severe anemia, shock and deep jaundice were excluded. Readings of SpO 2 were taken on right foot and right hand directly and through micropore by researcher himself when the saturation display was steadied.Results: The mean readings of SpO 2 on foot directly and through micropore were 94.5±3.4% and 94.2±3.4% respectively. On right hand, the values were 94.3±3.3% and 94.5±3.3% respectively. For each of the 13 subgroups formed on the basis of gestational age, weight and postnatal age of the newborns, oximetry readings of two sites i.e. hand and foot were compared using T-test and 95% confidence interval. Thus there were in all 26 statistical comparisons. Of these, in 22 comparisons the differences in the reading with micropore and without micropore were found statistically not significant. In the remaining 4, differences in 2 cases were significant at 0.04 and 0.05 level. The paired mean differences between readings of SpO 2 by pulse oximeter without micropore and with micropore on foot (0.25±1.11) and hand (0.22±1.12) were very similar to paired mean difference of SpO 2 readings by direct method (0.15±1.22) on hand and foot and were within this limit.Conclusion: The work concluded that the micropore protective covering did not influence oxygen saturation readings, suggesting that covering can be satisfactorily used for protection of neonates from probe related injuries.

Key words: socio-biological factors; parity; pregnancy duration; spacing; association; birth weightdoi: 10.3329/jcmcta.v19i1.3851Journal of Chittagong Medical College Teachers' Association 2008: 19(1):37-42