Minakshi Vashist

Maternal Factors and Risk of Childhood Leukemia

BACKGROUND Although the cause in most cases of childhood leukemia is not known, the contribution of environmental risk factors in the context of genetic predisposition has been reported with inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to examine association of childhood leukemia with maternal factors especially during pregnancy, to help in avoiding risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS This case-control study included children younger than 18 years diagnosed with leukemia from 2008 to 2012. Controls were randomly selected and individually matched to cases with respect to age, sex, and residency. All variables were compared between cases and control to determine any significant association with leukemia. RESULTS Statistically significant associations between risk of childhood leukemia with mothers education (p=0.001), occupation (p=0.0005) and pesticides exposure (p=0.005) during pregnancy were found. However, there were no significant links with maternal age (p=0.090), history of fetal loss (0.85), history of radiography during pregnancy (p=0.400), history of drug intake (p=0.689) and infection (p=0.696) during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS The results showed increased risk of leukemia in children whose mothers were working in agriculture and were exposed to pesticides during pregnancy. The further study needs to be investigated to know association of various maternal risk factors with leukemia which remained unknown in this study.

Certain Profession of Working as Risk Factors for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are visible surface manifestations of an underlying venous insufficiency syndrome. The present study was designed to investigate the various risks factors behind the occurrence of varicose veins. One hundred fifty five patients of varicose veins were analyzed for various factors. A specialized questionnaire was developed to record detailed information of varicose veins patients. Two way- ANOVA, odds ratio and test were used to compare the data. Standing occupation was highly significant as compared to sitting (OR= 3.1774; 95 % CI=i.9528 to 5.1699). Two way ANOVA revealed statistically significant values for age group (CI= 95%, df=4, p= 0.05554) whereas sex alone as a factor was found less significant CI= 95%, (df=1, p=0.12723). Significant association was found between working posture and sex ratio (p< 0.05). Working posture and age groups were found to be the most significant risk factors of varicose veins.

Evaluation of Prenatal, Postnatal and Neonatal Causes as the Risk Factors for Patients with Different (IQ) Levels of Mental Retardation

Mental retardation is among the few major disorders that are still poorly understood in terms of etiopathogenesis and for which very little therapeutic help is provided. Mental retardation may be caused by either genetic or environmental factors or a combination of both. Fifty nine patients of idiopathic mental disability were studied from Pt.B.D.Sharma University of Health Sciences Rohtak, Haryana. There were 13.5% mild, 49.2% moderate, 27.1% severe & 10.2% profound cases of mental retardation. Out of these there were 72.88% males & 27.11% females. All of these patients were with low socio-economic status and illiterate background. Age group range of 11-20 years has highest frequency (47.457%) of mental disability in all categories. In mild group prenatal, postnatal & neonatal risk factors were found in two, five & four respectively. Among moderate group 18 patients were with prenatal risk factors, 19 with postnatal, 24 with neonatal & 2 patients were without any risk factors. In severe group 9 patients have prenatal, 16 patients have postnatal & 16 patients have neonatal risk factors. In profound group prenatal, postnatal & neonatal risk factors were noted in four, six & six patients respectively.

Trisomy - T(21;21) with Mosaicisim in a Down Syndrome Girl Child Case Report

Abstract Mosaicisim with a derivative of 21 translocation and normal cell line is one of rare cases of Down syndrome patients. In the present case dysmorphic features and developmental delay were compatible with clinical diagnosis of Down syndrome. Cytogenetic analysis demonstrated a mosaic pattern of normal cell line and a cell line with translocation 21;21[(46,xx/46,xx, T(21;21),+21]. Presence of normal cell line as well as translocated 21 indicates the mitotic nondisjunction (NDJ) of an euploid zygote and mosaicism may be due to loss of the supernumerary chromosome of a trisomic zygote or some complex mechanism may be involved in chromosomal aberration. Present case shows the mosaicisim in a girl child with features of Down syndrome and atypical karyotype.