Background. Blood pressure (BP) percentiles in childhood are assessed according to age, gender, and height. Objective. To create a simple BP/height ratio for both systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). To study the relationship between BP/height ratios and corresponding BP percentiles in children. Methods. We analyzed data on height and BP from 2006-2007 NHANES data. BP percentiles were calculated for 3775 children. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to calculate sensitivity and specificity of BP/height ratios as diagnostic tests for elevated BP (>90%). Correlation analysis was performed between BP percentiles and BP/height ratios. Results. The average age was 12.54 ± 2.67 years. SBP/height and DBP/height ratios strongly correlated with SBP & DBP percentiles in both boys (P < 0.001, R 2 = 0.85, R 2 = 0.86) and girls (P < 0.001, R 2 = 0.85, R 2 = 0.90). The cutoffs of SBP/height and DBP/height ratios in boys were ≥0.75 and ≥0.46, respectively; in girls the ratios were ≥0.75 and ≥0.48, respectively with sensitivity and specificity in range of 83–100%. Conclusion. BP/height ratios are simple with high sensitivity and specificity to detect elevated BP in children. These ratios can be easily used in routine medical care of children.

Background:India is facing an epidemic of diabetes mellitus (DM). Effective management of complications of DM is a challenge in resource-poor areas of India. This study addresses the need to explore low-cost methods to manage diabetic ketosis (DK) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).Objectives:To demonstrate the use of intramuscular (IM) regular insulin as a safe alternative method to control DK and DKA in a family practice setting.Materials and Methods:A retrospective chart review was done for 34 patients admitted with DK and DKA in a family medicine unit for the urban poor over 5 years. Data on age, sex, precipitating factors, blood pressure, number of days of hospitalization, amount of insulin, and time required to control blood glucose (BG) and to correct acidosis were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS software version 17.Results:Administration of IM regular insulin was effective in reducing the BG to < 250 mg/dL in patients with DK and DKA. The mean time required for this in the ketosis group was 3.8 h and in the ketoacidosis group was 3.9 h. The mean amount of insulin required for correction of acidosis in the ketoacidosis group was 72.3 units and the mean time to achieve this was 33 h. Of the 34 patients, only one in the ketoacidosis group had hypoglycemia. There was no fatality or referral of any patient.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that IM regular insulin is a safe alternative method in managing DK and DKA in a family medicine setting.

Amitraz is a triazapentadiene compound belonging to amidine family. As an insecticide and acaricide, it has been used to control red spider mites, scale insects, aphids, leaf worms, whitefly, bollworms, and pear psylla on Oregon pear crops. Poisoning is secondary to accidental or suicidal inhalation and ingestion of the compound. The toxicity profile is mostly in the form of alteration of the nervous system resulting in various clinical manifestations. We describe a case report of amitraz poisoning presenting with coma.

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