Dermatoglyphics has proved to be a very useful tool used for identification of many gene-linked abnormalities and diseases. Lip prints which as dermatoglyphics are unique to individuals have also been shown to be a useful genetic marker in some congenital and clinical diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the association between finger and lip prints patterns and diabetes mellitus using subjects in Zaria, Nigeria. 277 were examined: 101 diabetics and 126 normal subjects. The digital dermatoglyphic patterns were studied using method of Cummins while the lip prints were identified and classified according to method of Suzuki and Tsuchihashi. The results show that there is an association between finger print patterns of males with diabetes mellitus. The lip prints pattern of male and female diabetics also shows association with diabetes mellitus. From the study we could conclude that male with arch pattern of finger print in their right hand are at risk of developing diabetes also males with reticular pattern of lip prints have a higher risk of developing diabetes whereas those with intersected pattern have lesser chance of coming down with the disease. The result also shows that females with undifferentiated type of lip prints are at higher risk of developing diabetes.

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Congenital anomalies are abnormalities of prenatal origin, and their prevalence varies worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and spectrum of overt congenital anomalies in live born neonates in selected hospitals in the Kano metropolis of North western Nigeria, as well as the associated maternal, paternal and neonatal risk factors. A descriptive study design was employed. All live born neonates in three major hospitals in Kano metropolis were prospectively studied from April 2013 to December 2013. Detailed family history and clinical data were recorded in a structured questionnaire for each child. A total of 1456 live born neonates were recruited into the study, of which 41 (28.15 per 1000 live births) had overt congenital malformations with 5 (12.20%) having multiple system involvement and 36 (87.80%) having a single system affectation. The most common system involved in neonates with isolated single system malformations were the central nervous system (10 cases) and the genitourinary system (10 cases). The consanguinity rate in the study was 17.83%. Birth weight of the neonates had a significant but negative association with the likelihood of being born with a congenital malformation [OR = 0.374; (95% CI 0.196-0.711) P = 0.003]. Given the high frequency of potentially preventable central nervous system malformations in this study, emphasis on the primary prevention of congenital malformations by encouraging periconceptional use of folic acid containing multivitamin supplements is recommended.

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Diarrhea is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in children under age of 5 years. In view of this problem, the World Health Organization has encouraged studies for treatment and prevention of diarrhoeal diseases depending on traditional medicinal practices. Extracts of Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) are widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various disorders. In this study, the antidiarrhoeal activity of the aqueous fruit extract of Phoenix dactylifera was investigated by castor oil-induced diarrhoea, enteropooling and gastrointestinal motility activity in Wistar rats. Like the standard drug (5mg/kg loperamide), the extract (1000 and 1500mg/kg body weight) elicited a significant decrease in the severity of diarrhoea. The extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the frequency of defaecation and as well decreased gastrointestinal motility. In the enteropooling study, the extract administered at 1000mg/kg had greater anti-enteropooling effect than the standard drug (5mg/kg loperamide). The result obtained shows that the aqueous fruit extract of Phoenix dactylifera may contain some pharmacologically active substances with antidiarrhoeal properties. This may be the basis for management of gastrointestinal disorders.