Background: There is limited information on neuropsychological and neurological dysfunctions in patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IH). Objective: To assess neuropsychological and neurological dysfunctions in IH and its associated factors in a cross-sectional design. Method: Neuropsychological functions were assessed in 62 patients with IH and 70 controls using a battery of cognitive tests. Neurological assessment included extrapyramidal and cerebellar signs. Assessment of intracranial calcification and volume of basal ganglia calcification (BGC) were made on computed tomography and of calcium control by averaging serum total calcium values available during the follow-up. Results: A significantly higher proportion of patients with IH showed neuropsychological dysfunctions than controls (32.3 (95% CI: 20.9-45.3) vs 5.7% (95% CI: 1.6-14.0), P!0.001). Neurological signs were present in 35.5% patients (extrapyramidal: 16.1%; cerebellar: 20.9%). Volume of BGC and number of sites with intracranial calcifications including cerebellum/dentate were comparable in patients with and without neuropsychological, extrapyramidal or cerebellar dysfunctions. Cognitive dysfunction score was lower by 1.7 points in males than in females (PZ0.02) and increased by 0.21 and 5.5 for each year increase in the duration of illness (PZ0.001) and one unit increase in serum calcium-phosphorus product (PZ0.01) respectively. The scores improved by 0.27 for every mg% increase in serum calcium (PZ0.001). Conclusion: Neuropsychological dysfunctions are present in up to one-third of patients with IH and correlate with duration of illness, female gender, serum calcium and calcium-phosphorus product during follow-up but not with intracranial calcification. These dysfunctions may affect their daily functions, safety and drug compliance.

Female gender is an important determinant of non-compliance with paediatric cardiac surgery. Deep-seated social factors underlie this gender bias.

Data on the clinical and laboratory profiles of 83 children with SLE have been analysed and compared with data on 187 adults with the disease. The clinical features of childhood SLE are similar to those seen in adults, although clinical and laboratory parameters reflect propensity to a more severe form of the disease in the juvenile age group. However, in comparison to descriptions of childhood lupus from developed countries, in India the female-to-male ratio in this age group parallels that in adults. Renal involvement is noted to be more common, whereas gastro-intestinal and haematological abnormalities are less common. Interestingly, leucopenia, lymphopenia and nephritic type of renal involvement are commonly seen in boys with SLE, but these features are non-existent in men.

The clinical and laboratory profile of 58 consecutive patients satisfying the ISG 1990 criteria for the diagnosis of Behçet's disease was analysed. It appears that Behçet's disease in India is predominantly 'mucocutaneous' and 'arthritic'; 'ocular' and 'neuro' Behçet's being uncommon. In comparison to published literature, the onset of disease in this part of the world is significantly delayed. The pathergy test is rarely positive. There is no significant difference in clinical presentation and laboratory investigations between children and adults with this disease; also, no sex difference was observed. A combination of oral steroids and colchicine gives good relief in most cases. Preliminary observations seem to reflect no definite association of any known class I antigen to disease in this part of the world. A detailed study on immunogenetics is underway.

The objective of this study was to assess the awareness of the concepts of brain death and organ transplantation among high school children. One hundred and eighty eight students of class 12th of a reputed public school were studied. Structured questionnaires were used to assess their knowledge in various aspects of brain death and organ transplantation. Following the questionnaire, they were provided with educational information on brain death and organ transplantation. This was followed by similar questionnaires to assess any change in awareness of brain death and organ transplantation. Results spoke of widespread awareness and acceptance of organ transplantation in the high school children. However, the awareness of various aspects of brain death was quite low. There was significant increase in awareness and acceptance of brain death after educating the students. Education about various aspects of brain death, its immense importance for organ donation and legality of brain death needs to be highlighted.