Introduction: Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous, infectious disease involving skin and peripheral nerves. It is present in various clinicopathological forms depending upon immune status of the patients. Histopathological examination of skin provides confirmatory diagnosis in suspected cases and gives indication of progression and regression of disease under treatment. Ridley and Jopling classification is used to classify leprosy. The objective of study was to identify the clinical pattern of leprosy and performed detail clinico- histopathological correlation in our institute. Method: The study was carried out on the skin biopsies received in between 2007-2010. Biopsies were fixed in 10% formalin, processed and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, modified Fite Ferraco and Ziehl-Neelsen stains. The predesigned Performa was used to record observation. The clinical diagnosis were correlated with histopathology in all 120 cases. Result: The age of the patients was ranged from 8 to 79 years with mean age of 36.38 years. The male to female ratio of patients was 1.5 to 1. The majority of cases 79 (65.8%) were in the age group of 21-50 years. Highest parity was observed in stable polar group TT 100%. Clinco-histopathological agreement was seen in 98 (81.67%) cases, 14 (11.67%) cases shows minor disagreement and 8 (6%) cases major disagreement. Conclusion: The clinical and histopathological features along with bacteriological index are useful than any single parameter in arriving definitive diagnosis and classification of the leprosy. Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-4 (2013), Pages 11-16 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v4i4.7997

A rare case of umbilical myiasis in a healthy newborn caused by Musca domestica is presented. Poor umbilical hygiene provides an ideal site for egg-laying by the common housefly.

Introduction: This innovative technology of mechanical ventilation had been started since 1960s and reached to significant level in affluent nation but in our nation, it is in nascent stage. This is first kind of study measuring outcome of neonatal mechanical ventilation in central part of India. . Out of total 1160 admission during study period over one year in our NICU, 79 newborns (6.81%) requiring mechanical ventilation were enrolled. 70 (88.60%) newborn were given SIMV mode and 9 (11.40%) were given exclusive CPAP as per their indication. Results: The overall survival rate was 48.10% (SIMV 42.85% (20 cases) and CPAP 88.88% (8 cases) respectively. The inborn babies were 35.44% (28 cases) and out born were 64.56% (51 cases) but survival was much better in inborn babies 64.28% (18 cases) compared to out born babies 39.21% (20 cases) which is statistically significant (p<0.05). Though male neonates were predominant 64.55% (51 cases), but outcome was better in female newborns 57.14% survival than Male. Conclusion: Mechanical ventilation is in evolving phase in central part of India. In hands training & experience will further improve outcome after few decades.

Background: This study was aimed to assess newborn referral and factors contributing to outcome of referred newborns.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary newborn referral facility for a period of one year. Referred newborns fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled in study, and assessed in terms of demographic profile, transport characteristics, physiological variables. Investigations, management of neonatal illness was done as per standard management protocols, they were followed up to their outcome.Results: Out of 2000 enrolled referred newborns, 30.10% were expired. Mean gestational age for survived newborns was 36.54±2.92 (SD) weeks, for expired newborns 35.24±3.99 (SD) weeks. Mean weight for survived newborns 2312.27 gms ±555.71 (SD), for expired newborns 1936.71 gms ±665.67 (SD). Out of total 60.05% newborns transported from periphery, had higher mortality i.e. 35% as compared to newborns transported from urban place i.e. 25%. Mean transport duration for survived newborns 61.94 minutes ±55.18 (SD), for expired newborns 89.51 minutes ±88.94 (SD). Prolonged CRT was observed  in 57.45% newborns, grunting   19.70%, Cyanosis 11%, gasping 7.6%, apnea 5%, respiratory distress 39.80%, hypothermia 74.95%, and 25.50% required resuscitation on admission. Unattended delivery, self-arranged mode of transport, prolonged CRT, respiratory distress, apnea , hypothermia on admission, weight on admission(<1500gms), hypoglycaemia and duration of transport more than 1 hour  found statistically significant independent variables associated with mortality of referred newborns.Conclusions: A significant number of neonatal deaths can be prevented, if referral system is structured and organized. Improper referral leads to poor physiological profile of referred newborns, which leads to their poor outcome. There are many independent variables which are affecting the outcome of referred newborns. These independent variables can be taken care in holistic way once the referral system is cultured and nurtured in existing health system.

Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) constitutes one of the major nutritional and health problems in children under five years of age in developing countries. It has a significant contribution to the mortality and morbidity in this age group of children. So, there is a need to look for the pathophysiology identifying events at cellular level to formulate better management strategies. The oxidative stress and a possible consequential accelerated apoptosis may contribute to pathophysiology in malnutrition. Markers of oxidative stress are Malondialdehyde levels (MDA), a byproduct of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants like Zinc and Glutathione (GSH). So the objective of study is to measure oxidative stress in hospitalized children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) between 6 months to 5 years of age through serum levels of Zinc, glutathione and MDA.Methods: This was a hospital based prospective case control study where 100 hospitalised children from 6 months to 5 years of age with severe acute malnutrition were selected along with 100, sex and age matched healthy controls from outpatient department. Oxidative Stress was analysed by measuring serum levels of Zinc, GSH and MDA. Control group was simultaneously analysed for similar parameters of oxidative stress.Results: Serum GSH and Zinc levels were found to be significantly lower while serum MDA level was found to be significantly higher in cases as compared to controls.Conclusions: Severe acute malnourished children had an increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defence compared with healthy controls.