Purpose:  To determine the frequency of computer vision syndrome and its associated risk factors among under graduate medical students. Study Design:  Descriptive Cross–sectional study. Place and Duration of Study:  Gujranwala Medical College and Rawalpindi Medical University, Pakistan from 5th August to 28th August, 2020. Methods:  A validated self-designed questionnaire was used for this study. The survey instrument was tailored from a published questionnaire which comprised of questions on demographics, frequency of symptoms of computer vision syndrome, pattern of computer usage and ergonomic practices. Results:  Final analysis was run on 326 under graduate medical students. Females were 228 (69%) and 98 (30%) were males. Age of the participants ranged between 17 to 25 years. Overall frequency of CVS was found to be 98.7%. Twenty nine percent students experienced extra ocular complaints and 71% had ocular symptoms. Symptoms of CVS were more commonly observed among those using desktop/laptop at less than forearm length (p = 0.001). Distance of < 12 inches from mobile phone was found to be associated with eye irritation and neck shoulder pain (p = 0.001). Frequency of break of more than 60 minutes was found to be significantly associated with eye irritation (p = 0.002) and excessive blinking and light sensitivity (p = 0.001). The students not using ergonomically comfortable chair were found to suffer more with  symptoms of CVS as compared to those using ergonomically designed chair (p = 0.049). Conclusion:  Health issues related to excessive use of digital devices has become alarmingly high during COVID-19 pandemic. Symptoms of CVS are significantly associated with distance from digital device and less frequent break intervals. Key Words:  COVID-19, Computer Vision Syndrome, Digital eye syndrome, ergonomics, visual display terminals.

Objective: This study aims to develop and assess the content validity along with the reliability of a Professionalism Assessment Tool (PAT) with an intention to measure professionalism among undergraduate medical students. Methods: This psychometric analytical study validation study was carried out at Rawalpindi Medical University from 1st February to 1st June, 2021 after establishing feasibility and obtaining ethical approval. The non-probability convince sampling was employed to collect data. Using Nunnally’s, the ratio of e subjects per item was selected, as our preliminary tool has 48 items so 384 sample size was estimated for scale validation. The preliminary 48-item tool with five subscales(cSS) developed through mutual consensus by the Delphi technique namely Communication skill(cSS1),-7 item, Accountability(cSS2)-8 item, Altruism(cSS3)-13 item, Self-Directed Learning (cSS4)-10 item and Ethics(cSS5),-10 item was labelled as Professionalism Assessment Tool (PAT). The tool was administered to 4th year MBBS students, the data obtained was analyzed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha to estimate the reliability. The SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. Results: The 48-item PAT had an overall reliability (Cronbach’s alpha) of 0.783. The Reliability of the new Subscales were communication skills (0.405), self-directed learning (0.527), Accountability (0.378), Altruism (0.486) and Ethics (0.715). Conclusion: The final tool developed for assessment of professionalism had 48 items on a seven point Likert like scale, across five Subscales. Results showed that it was determined as a useful tool in assessing professionalism in undergraduate medical students to generate reliable results for valid decision-making. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6608 How to cite this: Noreen K, Zuberi RW, Aftab K, Fatima S. Assessment of Medical Professionalism: Development and psychometric analysis of Professionalism Assessment Tool (PAT) in Pakistani context using Delphi Techniques. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(2):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6608 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of psychosocial problems in children with and without epilepsy. Study Design: Comparative Cross Sectional study. Settings: The Children’s Hospital and The Institute of Child Health Multan (CH & ICH). Period: July 2019 to December 2019. Material & Methods: Fifty-nine patients of either gender, 5 -12 years of age, diagnosed as Epilepsy were included in group A. For the group B the patient of same number, age and gender without epilepsy visiting the general outpatient department of the hospital with acute illness were included. The children having known psychiatric disorder, and intellectual disability were excluded. Educational level of parents, socioeconomic status, Time of onset, type, outcome of epilepsy, number of antiepileptic medicines used and EEG findings were noted. Intelligence Quotient of each patient was calculated. A Pediatric Symptom Checklist was used for psychosocial problems in all children. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Result: Out of 118 patients (59 in group A and 59 in group B), 68% (n=73) were male. Mean age of the participants was 10.2years (st dev.±11.1). Patients age ranging between 5-9 years constituted 32% (n=38) while 68% (n=80) were more than 9 to 12 years. Most of the children belonged to low socioeconomic status 66% (n=78). Educational level of parents was below matric in 67.8% (n=80) and 32.2% (n=38) were above matric. In Group A 64.41% (n=38) patients had generalized tonic clonic type of epilepsy, 28.81% (n=17) partial/focal type and 3.39% (n= 2) myoclonic type. In 42% (n=52) of patient’s epilepsy was controlled while in 58% (n=7) patients it was uncontrolled. Psychosocial problems were detected in 59.3% (n=35) patients in epileptic group A while in 23.7% (n=14) in non-epileptic group B. Single use of antiepileptic was important factor causing psychosocial problems in epileptic children. Conclusion: Psychosocial problems are more common in Epileptic children, so psychological evaluation and management must be integral part of their therapy.

Introduction: Sturge Weber Syndrome (SWS), known as encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis, is a rare neurocutaneous disorder and is having a prevalence of 1/20-50,000, live births. The syndrome consists of leptomeningeal angiomas and the angiomas of the face, characteristically in the ophthalmic and maxillary divisions of the trigeminal nerve. The neurological presentations include fits, deficits in cognition, glaucoma, and visual field abnormalities. The overgrowth of the soft tissues and extracranial angiomas can also occur in SWS. Case presentation: We are presenting a rare case of Sturge Weber Syndrome in an infant who presented at an early stage of this disorder. The index case presented to us with a large port-wine stain and right-sided focal fits. The CT scan brain showed subtle gyriform tram-track calcification of the left cerebral cortex and the left-sided cerebral atrophy. Ophthalmological examination showed glaucoma of the left eye. The clinical and radiological criteria were used to make the final diagnosis of SWS. Conclusion: The case is being reported in order to increase awareness among medical professionals.

Objective: To determine different causes of portal hypertension in children. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatric Medicine, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Department of Medical Emergency, The Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Multan. Period: 3rd April 2019 to 2nd October 2019. Material & Methods: A total of 71 children presenting with portal hypertension aged 1 month to 15 years of either gender were included. Newborns or children with congenital heart diseases were excluded. Patient samples were collected for complete blood counts and liver function tests, Ultrasound Abdomen and color Doppler ultrasonography were done for portal vein pressure to determine various causes of portal hypertension. Results: Overall, mean age was 9.00 ± 3.64 years. Out of the 71 patients, 51 (71.83%) were male and 20 (28.17%) were females. Different causes of portal hypertension were portal vein thrombosis in 48 (67.61%), liver cirrhosis in 14 (19.72%) and biliary atresia in 9 (12.68%) children. Conclusion: Among children having portal hypertension, portal vein thrombosis was noted to be the commonest cause followed by liver cirrhosis and biliary atresia.