Jayanti Mishra

Hematological profile in neonatal jaundice.

Abstract Background: Neonatal morbidity due to neonatal jaundice is an alarming situation, which needs to be detected and managed at the earliest possible. Many different etiologies come into play together, and at times, it is difficult to isolate the cause of neonatal jaundice. Certain diagnostic tests such as hemoglobin levels, reticulocyte count, leukocyte count, and blood grouping might hasten the diagnosis. This study analyzes the different parameters of hematological profile and how they influence the various etiologies of neonatal jaundice. Methods: One hundred jaundiced neonates admitted to the pediatric care unit of MKCG Medical Hospital, Odisha, were considered as subjects for this study. Blood tests were done, and accordingly, the neonates were grouped into three depending on the leukocyte count, reticulocyte count, and hemoglobin levels. Blood grouping of mother and baby was done to see the pattern of ABO incompatibility. Results: Physiological jaundice cases showed no significant variations in hematological profile, while jaundice due to ABO incompatibility, septicemia, Rh incompatibility, intracranial hemorrhage, and G6PD deficiency had anemia, reticulocytosis, and leukocytosis. Conclusions: The results can be used for early and simple investigation method for the diagnosis of neonatal jaundice.

Association of diet and anthropometric measures as cardiovascular modifiable risk factors in young adults

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular accidents are the major cause of death in the developing world, accounting for nearly 40% of deaths in adult men and women. Developed countries have already brought this under control, whereas India has to take a giant leap. Diet plays a pivotal role among the various modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. The sole objective of this study is to point at nutrition as being the main modulator of different anthropometric parameters and directly or indirectly has a tremendous impact on the blood pressure levels even during young age. Methods: In a cross-sectional study involving 223 young adults, the pattern of food habits and level of physical activity were determined from self-reported questionnaires, while blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference were measured, and body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were computed. The subjects were grouped as normotensives and prehypertensives and also were compared according to their BMI and other parameters. Results: Statistically significant, greater association of weight followed by WC with the prehypertensive levels of blood pressure compared to other parameters was seen. The subjects detected as prehypertensives had predilection for salty, fried, oily, sweet, and fast food; BMI >25 kg/m2; and WC and WHR in high risk-categories per World Health Organization standards. More than 69% of subjects had high WHR, whereas only 9% of total subjects exercised regularly. Conclusions: Central obesity is associated with sedentary life and high intake of calories, leading to hypertension with advancing age. Early detection, awareness, and primary prevention would help reduce morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Association Between Depression and Acute Pain in Adults Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bhubaneswar.

BACKGROUND Recent burden on health care organization due to acute pain and simultaneous rise in the depression cases have been ringing alarms among the medical professionals. AIMS This study was taken up with a hypothesis that acute pain and depression are inter-linked and any acute painful condition leads to some behavioural and psycho-somatic effects which needs to be detected at the earliest possible. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS This relationship was established by designing a cross-sectional study where four most common causes of acute pain (i.e. post-labour, post-caesarean, postoperative, dental conditions) were studied in 70 subjects each and compared with 70 subjects of control group who presented to a tertiary care hospital in Bhubaneswar, without any painful condition or underlying depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Various pain scales (Visual Analogue Scale- VAS, Verbal Rating Scale - VRS, Box Scale) were used to assess the degree of pain while Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was used to assess the level of depression in these subjects. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Using SPSS version 16 software, the correlation coefficient was determined between the depression levels and acute pain. RESULTS It was seen that the geriatric populations were more depressed, while the older adults perceived more pain. The females differed from males in their pain perception; they were more depressed and proved to be more tolerant to painful conditions such as post-partum acute painful conditions. Dental pain was found to be the second most reported painful condition after postoperative acute pain. A statistically significant strong correlation was established between depression and acute pain. CONCLUSION Thus the psychosomatic component of pain needs to be evaluated on a priority basis by health providers.

Correlation between anthropometry and lipid profile in healthy subjects of Eastern India

Background: Cardiovascular diseases constitute one class of common contributors to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Prevalence of overweight and obesity has dramatically increased in developing countries and is related to cardiovascular risk factors. Anthropometric parameters have the advantages in daily clinical practice of being a simple to measure tool with good reproducibility, especially in a developing country like India. Aim of this study is to correlate some anthropometric variables with lipid parameters in healthy subjects and to assess the anthropometric variable which best reflects the altered lipid profile. Materials and Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted after the Institutional Ethical Committee Clearance. Included participants (1187) were subjected to anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference using standard procedures on the same morning of the day, as the blood sample was collected after overnight fast and estimated for fasting blood sugar and lipid profile. Results: There is a weak correlation between body mass index (BMI) and lipid parameters. Among all the anthropometric variables studied, WC is best correlated to lipid parameters. The mean values of lipid parameters were not significantly different in BMI <25 and BMI ≥25 groups. Conclusions: WC remains one of the simple and reliable variables which best reflects the lipid profile. In a developing country like India, where measurement of cardiovascular risk factors such as body fat saturation and lipid profile remains difficult in the rural population, WC may be used as an effective tool, without being used as a substitute.

Normal spirometric standards in young adult Indian population.

Abstract Background: The appropriateness of spirometric reference value depends on all its features matching those of the person being assessed, like ethnicity, environment, nutrition, absence of disease, measurement protocol, as well as equipment used. The present study determines the lung function parameters in normal young healthy Indians and derives reliable prediction formulae for Indian population. Methods: Computerized spirometry was done in 298 nonsmoking medical students of both genders studying in MKCG Medical College, Berhampur. All the data were statistically analyzed, and prediction equations for the young Indian population were derived. Results: All the lung parameters showed significant gender difference. Height showed the greatest effect on the predicted value of FEV1 and FVC in males and females. Height has the greatest effect on the predicted value of FEV1% in females, whereas weight has the least effect. We formulated univariate and multivariate regression models for prediction of lung parameters in the young Indian adults. The predicted values of pulmonary function parameters for men were 4%–17% higher than most studies, except for Kashmiri population where it was 9% lower. For females, lung parameters were 1%–29% higher in comparison to study groups in other Indian studies. The lung parameters for males were found to be lower than Iranian and Caucasian population study, but higher than Pakistani population. For females, lung parameters were 3%–8% lower than Iranian and Caucasian population, but higher in comparison to Pakistani population. Conclusions: The computed regression norms may be used to predict the spirometric values in young Indian population of similar age group as the study population.

Assessment of peak expiratory flow rate in preadolescent children of sub-tribal communities in Odisha

Background and Aim: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is considered to be a reliable index to assess the ventilatory functions of lungs. Gender is one of the important independent variables that influences PEFR value. Though there are studies on PEFR in tribal children, there is paucity of data regarding the gender differences in PEFR among tribal children. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the effect of gender on PEFR in age‑matched, preadolescent tribal children in an urban area of Odisha and also to compare the same between the sub‑tribal groups. Methods: It is a cross‑sectional study conducted at a residential school in Bhubaneswar during the period from September 2011 to March 2012. Total of 1000 tribal children were selected from standard 4 and 5, of which 868 participants were included in the study. PEFR and anthropometric measurements were recorded in these subjects. Students ‘t’ test and one‑way analysis of variance were used to test the difference in various parameters among the gender and sub‑tribal groups, respectively. Association between anthropometric parameters and PEFR was determined using correlation analysis. Results: The mean ± SD age in years of the boys and girls were 9.87 ± 1.5 and 9.75 ± 1.2, respectively. The mean ± SD of PEFR in L/min was significantly (P < 0.001) more in boys (255.34 ± 65.60) than in girls (210.59 ± 55.70). The boys showed a better correlation of PEFR with weight, height and chest circumference than did the girls. PEFR values significantly differed between the subtribal groups (P < 0.001). The anthropometric variables showed a positive correlation with PEFR in all the subtribes. While Santala and Munda subtribes showed maximum correlation of PEFR with weight and height, the chest circumference was well correlated with PEFR in Soura and Bonda subtribes. Conclusions: The mean PEFR of the tribal boys is higher than those of the tribal girls of Odisha. Height, weight and chest circumference were observed to be better correlated with PEFR in boys when compared to girls, among the sub‑tribal groups of Odisha.