Parul Goel

Evaluation of Serum Prolactin Level in Patients of Subclinical and Overt Hypothyroidism

BACKGROUND Prolactin secretion is controlled by prolactin inhibitor factor that is secreted from hypothalamus; factors like vasoactive inhibitory peptide (VIP) and thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) lead to increase in prolactin secretion. Hyperprolactinemia is a common condition that can result from a number of causes including hypothyroidism. Objective of the study was to determine correlation between serum levels of prolactin and thyroid hormones in euthyroid, subclinical and overt hypothyroid cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Consecutive patients presenting for various thyroid related problems were segregated into two groups subclinical and overt hypothyroidism according to their diagnosis based on history and clinical examination, laboratory reports, inclusion and exclusion criteria. Newly diagnosed 75 patients in each group were finally enrolled. Similar number of age and sex matched controls were selected. All subjects filled a predesigned questionnaire for the evaluation of hypothyroid symptoms. Thyroid profile for T3, T4 (total and free), TSH and prolactin were determined in all the subjects and analyzed. RESULTS Prolactin elevation was found in 16 patients (21.33 %) with overt hypothyroidism, and in six patients (8%) with subclinical hypothyroidism. The control group and subclinical hypothyroid patients exhibited no significant difference in terms of total and free T3, total and free T4. For TSH and prolactin on the other hand, a statistically significant elevation was found in patients with overt hypothyroidism when compared with subclinical hypothyroidism; and in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism when compared to the controls. A significant statistical difference was observed between the two groups of hypothyroid patients for all hypothyroid symptoms except alopecia and hirsuitism. CONCLUSION The incidence of hyperprolactinemia in hypothyroidism was found to be higher when compared with normal controls. Serum prolactin assessment should be performed on all patients with hypothyroidism (overt and subclinical) before performing further tests.

Maternal Risk Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight Neonates in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Northern India

Low birth weight is influenced by many socio-economic factors like habitat, urban or rural, education, birth order, substance abuse by mother, religion and caste, age of mother nutritional status of mother, Body Mass Index, Hemoglobin level etc., quality of ante-natal care received (ANC) and spacing of pregnancies. Low birth weight babies pose challenge to the families and communities. They contribute major share in perinatal and neonatal mortality and also towards mental, physical and development challenges in pediatric population. Objective: To assess the impact of maternal social factors on the birth weight of newborn. Study setting: This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital attached to Subharti medical college of Meerut District. Study design: Hospital based Cross sectional study. Study population: 325 women delivering live infants in the study setting. Study period: Six months i.e. from January 2011 to June 2011. Material and methods: All 325 mothers who delivered live infants in a tertiary care hospital attached to Subharti medical college, Meerut District were interviewed. Data was collected on a structured, pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical analysis: Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and the results were expressed as proportions. Results: The overall prevalence of LBW neonates was 32.3%. Majority (71.42%) of mothers was living in rural areas and 52.39% of the mothers belonged to joint families. 52.39% of the mothers were illiterate. Majority of mothers (76.19%) were housewives and their socio-economic status was IVth class (47.61%). The highest prevalence of LBW was found among mothers aged 5 (23.80%). Conclusion: Birth weight remained an important factor affecting the neonatal infant and childhood mortality and morbidity. Low birth weight babies are more likely to have disabilities in four of developmental delay, poor growth and mental disabilities. For reducing the prevalence of low birth weight, public health strategy needs to focus attention on better maternal nutrition and education.

The World Health Organization Measles Programmatic Risk Assessment Tool—Pilot Testing in India, 2014

Measles is a leading cause of child mortality, and reduction of child mortality is a key Millennium Development Goal. In 2014, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed a measles programmatic risk assessment tool to support country measles elimination efforts. The tool was pilot tested in the State of Uttarakhand in August 2014 to assess its utility in India. The tool assessed measles risk for the 13 districts of Uttarakhand as a function of indicator scores in four categories: population immunity, surveillance quality, program delivery performance, and threat. The highest potential overall score was 100. Scores from each category were totaled to assign an overall risk score for each district. From this risk score, districts were categorized as low, medium, high, or very high risk. Of the 13 districts in Uttarakhand in 2014, the tool classified one district (Haridwar) as very high risk and three districts (Almora, Champawat, and Pauri Garhwal) as high risk. The measles risk in these four districts was largely due to low population immunity from high MCV1-MCV2 drop-out rates, low MCV1 and MCV2 coverage, and the lack of a supplementary immunization activity (SIA) within the past three years. This tool can be used to support measles elimination in India by identifying districts that might be at risk for measles outbreaks, and to guide risk mitigation efforts, including strengthening routine immunization services and implementing SIAs.

A Study on Neonatal Dermatosis in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Western Uttar Pradesh India

The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of both physiological and pathological cutaneous lesions in first seven days of life in a tertiary care hospital of western uttar pradesh. Overall 500 neonates either inborn or attending paediatric opd/ clinic and delivered in the hospital were included in the study. The study took 6 months, consent from parents of those neonates were taken. Clinical examination, dermatological examinations were carried out to check their eligibility to enter this study and to diagnose the skin lesions. Consultations to dermatologists were done in the beginning of the study, especially, in the doubtful cutaneous lesions. Skin lesions were present in 476 (95.2%) neonates. Of these 6O neonates (12%) have pathological lesions, 430(86%) had only physiological lesion, while 14 neonates (2.8%) had both physiological and pathological lesions. Of physiological lesions epstein pearls were most common (78%) second most common lesion was mongolion spots (65%), desquamation was seen in 52% cases, & milia (42%). Pathological lesions pustulosis was most common seen in 28% cases, second most common lesion was oral thrush (26%).

Assessment of the Newborn Care Practices in Home Deliveries among Urban Slums of Meerut, UP India

Background: Despite efforts by the government and other health agencies neonatal morbidity and mortality continues to remain high in India. In our community women receive information about neonatal care from family members, elders and traditional birth attendants regarding antenatal and postnatal care. Objectives: To assess the newborn care practices in home deliveries this can affect the neonatal morbidity and mortality. Settings and design: The community based, cross- sectional study was carried out in the field practice area of urban slums of Meerut, UP. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out from Jan 2011 to October 2011 In this study 280 mothers of infants up to 03 months of age were interviewed. A semi structured, pre tested questionnaire was used. All participants were informed regarding the purpose of study and their consent was obtained for data collection. Results: The result of study showed that many harmful and un-indicated neonatal practices were prevalent in the community. 83.92% of the deliveries took place at home and 51.08 % were conducted by untrained birth attendant. New blade was used to cut cord in 63.82%. Turmeric powder with oil or ghee was applied frequently. Bathing the baby immediately after birth was commonly practiced in 76.60%. 68.08% mothers initiated breast-feeding within 24 hrs of birth and 29.92% initiated after 1 day. 62.50% mothers had not given colostrum to their baby, in majority the reason was it prohibited by family customs and elderly members. Immunization status was poor. Conclusion: Practices regarding newborn care were harmful and knowledge was poor among mothers and this should be promoted through improved coverage with existing health services.

Psycho-Social Behaviour and Health Benefits of Islamic Fasting During the Month of Ramadan

A review of research articles on Ramadan fasting indicates that fasting can serve as an excellent research model for Psycho-social behaviour and health studies. The purpose of fasting for Muslims is to learn self-restraint from indulgence in everyday pleasures, for self-discipline, to develop God-consciousness, to develop self-control, to purify the body, and to empathize with the poor and hungry. Muslims describe a feeling of inner peace and tranquillity. This involves restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing one to serve as a good Muslim and a good person. One of the greatest advantages of fasting is that its true observance inculcates in a person a habit of speaking the truth. Fasting is a powerful therapeutic process that can help people recover from mild to severe health conditions.

Association of Health Status with Dietary Habits and Lifestyle of Medical, Dental and Nursing Students of Meerut UP

Background: The life of professional students is stressful throughout the whole course of trainings. Types of food intake, lack of exercise, psychological depression due to study burden, pressure of examination, discrepancies between expectation and reality all can be anticipated in bring psychological stress. Research Question: To find out the Association of health status with dietary habits and lifestyle of students? Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between dietary habits and life style and perceived health status among students. Study design: Cross sectional study Participants: 255 students of medical dental and nursing courses of SVSU, Meerut UP Sample Size: 255 university students Study Period: July 2011 to Dec 2011 Study variables: A Pre-designed, Pre-tested, self administered questionnaire related to life style and perceived health was used. Statistical Analysis: Microsoft Excel Results: In this study, consumption of non-vegetarian diet and fast food was found among students. Smokingatobacco chewing and consumption of alcohol were seen in students. Sedentary life, over weight and high blood pressure was found in students. Conclusion: Medical students were not much conscious to make extra effort to choose a healthier lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle among medical students are even more important as they are future doctors and the students who personally ignore healthy lifestyle are more likely to fail to establish health promotion opportunities for their patients.

Utilization of assisted Reproductive Technology as a Surrogacy and Related Issues

While assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization has given hope to millions of couples suffering from infertility, it has also introduced countless ethical, legal, and social challenges. ART has emerged as one of the most widely adopted and successful medical technologies in the last century. The objective of this paper is to identify the aspects of ART that are most relevant to present-day society and discuss the multiple ethical, legal, and social challenges inherent to this technology.