Search

Alopecia (baldness) refers to loss of hair from part of head (scalp) or whole body and can be temporary or permanent. It can be genetic, result of hormonal imbalance, medical diseases, auto-immune conditions, chemotherapy or a normal part of aging. Anybody can lose hair on their head, but it is more common in men. Androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata are common hair loss disorders affecting both men and women. AGA is the most common type of alopecia and is due to androgen hormone related problem and the major cause of AAis autoimmune disorder. Telogen effluvium is a common, transient form of hair loss that can be due to medication, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, or some type of physical or psychological stressor such as surgery or a severe illness.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an extremely rare presentation of dengue viral infection in children which can lead to multiple organ dysfunctions in children. It is a fatal disease and can result in mortality in children if left untreated. A 15-year-old adolescent girl presented with fever, shortness of breath, and bleeding manifestations, followed by she developed hemolytic anemia, ecchymotic skin lesions, acute kidney injury, and altered sensorium. A diagnosis of TTP due to dengue fever was made and she responded very well to a plasma transfusion therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory distress (RD) is one of the common indications of hospitalisation in the neonatal intensive care unit. Due to recent advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment, there is a need for data on the current profile and outcome of neonatal RD (NRD). Aims: To determine the clinical presentation, causes, risk factors, severity, and outcome of NRD. Patients and Methods: All neonates who presented with signs of RD were enrolled. Neonatal data such as birth weight, mode of delivery, gestational age, saturation on room air, mode of oxygen therapy, and onset and severity of RD were noted in predesigned pro forma. The severity of RD in term and pre-term neonates was assessed by Downe’s score and Silverman–Anderson’s score, respectively. Relevant investigations and treatment were started as per standard protocol. Results: The most common cause of NRD was RD syndrome (29%). Chest indrawing was the most prevalent sign of RD (90.0%). There was no significant association of gestational age with the severity of RD (P = 0.140), but the birth weight was significantly associated with the severity of RD (P = 0.002). Severe RD was associated with extreme prematurity, meconium‑stained amniotic fluid and birth weight of <1.5 kg. The mortality rate was 12%, with meconium aspiration syndrome and RD syndrome being the common causes. Conclusions: Whatever the cause, RD can proceed to respiratory failure and death if it is not promptly diagnosed and treated. Therefore, any clinician providing care for neonates must be able to quickly identify the symptoms and degree of RD, distinguish between different aetiologies, and begin treatment plans to avoid future complications or mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (NUH) is one of the common morbidities found in the 1st week of life. Phototherapy has been found to be the safest of all the known treatments for neonatal jaundice. Light-emitting diode phototherapy does, however, have some side effects, just like any other therapeutic approach. Objectives: We aimed to study the effect of light-emitting diode phototherapy and their duration on the serum electrolyte (serum sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium) levels in neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (UH) and to study the effect of phototherapy modes on them. Materials and Methods: All stable icteric neonates, gestational age >35 weeks, who received phototherapy for UH were included in the study. A double-surface light-emitting diode phototherapy system (spectrum 430--470 nm) was used. These neonates were subjected to different phototherapy modes: normal and intensive. Total serum bilirubin and serum electrolytes were measured at the start and the end of phototherapy. Paired t-test, independent t-test, and Chi-square test were used for the comparisons. Results: A total of 100 neonates were admitted for phototherapy. The male: female ratio was 1.08:1. The mean birth weight, mean gestational age, mean age, and mean duration of phototherapy of jaundiced neonates were 2.50 ± 0.603 kg, 36.8 ± 2.04 weeks, 2.56 ± 1.05 days, and 29.34 ± 6.51 h, respectively. The mean Na, K, Cl, and Ca levels before phototherapy were 140.10 ± 14.88 meq/L, 4.51 ± 0.55 meq/L, 105.65 ± 6.53 meq/L, and 8.90 ± 0.55 mg/dl and after phototherapy were 139.62 ± 5.38 meq/L, 4.36 ± 0.48 meq/L, 103.89 ± 6.85 meq/L, and 8.33 ± 0.72 mg/dl, respectively (P < 0.001). The duration of phototherapy was found to correlate with serum Ca levels significantly negative (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that serum electrolyte levels were significantly decreased during light-emitting diode phototherapy. These levels were affected more by the duration of phototherapy than by its mode. Phototherapy-induced dyselectrolytemia is a significant concern, as electrolyte abnormalities result in severe short-term and long-term adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]