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BACKGROUND Pre-examination stress is a common condition faced by the students prior to exams and is emerging as a major health problem, especially in medical students. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of pre-examination stress on autonomic functions like pulse rate and blood pressure in the first M.B.B.S. students. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group consisted of 100 medical students studying 1st M.B.B.S. in Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. Among them, 45 students were males, 55 students were females. Their arterial blood pressure and pulse rate were measured one month prior to examination and again one week before examination. The data was analysed using student’s paired ‘t’ test. RESULTS In the present study, the results were consistent with early clinical studies reporting that there is increase in pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, one week before examination compared to values of one month before examination. CONCLUSION Majority of the students were under stress prior to examination. Stress produced a significant increase in the pulse rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure among the students. Relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, appropriate diet and physical exercises can be recommended to students.

BACKGROUND Acute Gastroenteritis is a leading cause of illness and death amongst children in developing countries. Serum electrolyte disturbances are common in under five children with acute gastroenteritis resulting in morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to assess the type and prevalence of electrolyte imbalance in under five children with acute gastroenteritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a descriptive, hospital based cross-sectional study of children below five years age group with dehydration due to acute gastroenteritis. Serum electrolyte profiles were determined. RESULTS Out of 80 children studied, 44 (55%) children were aged below 12 months, 20 (25%) children were between 13 to 36 months, and 16 (20%) children were between 3 to 5 years. The frequencies of various types of dehydration were hyponatraemic in 49 (62.5%) children, isonatremic in 31 (38.75%) children and no case of hypernatremia. Hypokalaemia was observed in 21 (26.5%) children. The overall case fatality rate was 6 (7.5%). All the children who died, were below 36 months. All were acidotic. Two had features of acute renal failure. Others died because of associated infection and peripheral circulatory failure. CONCLUSION Hyponatremia, Hypokalaemia were the common electrolyte abnormalities in acute gastroenteritis and were responsible for most deaths.

BACKGROUND Hearing impairment is one of the commonest congenital disabilities in the world. The prevalence of congenital hearing loss has been estimated to be 1.2-5.7 per 1,000 live births and is more among high risk neonates. Screening is one of the most important methods for early diagnosis of hearing loss. Otoacoustic emission is an easy, cost effective and reliable method of testing of large number of infants for hearing loss. The present study emphasizes the use of otoacoustic emissions as a screening tool to detect hearing loss that would otherwise go unnoticed till 2-3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS This descriptive study was conducted on 1000 neonates during the period August 2015 to August 2016. Neonates were selected from the department of Paediatrics, the department of Obstetrics and OPD of ENT of Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences, Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh. Neonates between 24-72 hours of age were screened with DPOAE. Those who failed the first DPOAE screen were subjected to a second DPOAE screening after 2 to 3 months. RESULTS Out of 1000 neonates, 0.9% had persistent failure with OAE test. The factors which had significant relationship with hearing loss include prenatal risk factors like foetal distress, eclampsia, maternal infection, low birth weight, ototoxic drugs. Data was statistically analysed by McNemar’s test and Chi-square test. CONCLUSION The two staged screening protocol with Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission was found to be a useful tool in detecting hearing loss in newborn. It is important and logical from the point of health and economy that the screening tests should become necessary for all neonates.

The present study is undertaken to evaluate any association between BMI, WC and Blood pressure and any tendency to develop prehypertension. The study comprises of 100 medical students of NRI medical college, Sangivalasa near Visakhapatnam. It was carried out ongirl students with age of 17 ye ars. Their BMI, WC and Blood pressure were determined. The examination included measurement of weight, height of the student to determine BMI, measurement of waist circumference, and measurement of blood pressure by sphygmomanometer. In the present study t he results are consistent with early clinical studies reporting that there is elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure with increasing BMI and waist circumference and there is tendency to develop prehypertension in students with higher BMI. Modificat ion of life style factors should be emphasized.

The present study comprises of 100 men and women. 52 males and 48 females within the age group from 40 years to 80 years were selected. Patients attending ENT OPD above 40 years without any comorbidity and having clinical features of age related hearing loss such as difficulties in hearing conversations, tinnitus, hearing loss, were selected. Patients with ear discharge, ototoxicity, ear surgery, cardiovascular disease, exposure to noise were excluded. Smoking status at the time of the baseline hearing examination was determined by self-report. Subjects who were smoking at the time of the examination were regarded as current smokers, Subjects who had smoked previously but had ceased at the time of examination were regarded as past smokers, and Subjects who had never smoked were regarded as non-smokers. The present study is undertaken with the aim to assess any association between smoking and age related hearing loss, to know whether the hearing impairment is more prevalent in smokers or non-smokers, to know in which age group the percentage of hearing impairment is more prevalent, and to know which ear is more affected in smokers and non-smokers group. Hearing tests were performed in a sealed, soundproof room. The examination included an otoscopic evaluation, pure-tone air-conduction and bone- conduction audiometry. Average threshold of hearing was taken and greater than 25 dB was used as an indicator of hearing loss. In the present study, the results are consistent with early clinical studies reporting that smoking is significantly associated with hearing loss. Modification of life style factors (smoking cessation) can retard the age related changes in hearing sensitivity. The Health education through various types of electronic media, seminars, and cinemas about smoking cessation should be undertaken.