Journal Issue: Volume: 30, No. 2, August, 2008
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Volume
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Issue Date
2008
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ISSN (Print) : 1993-2979 | ISSN (Online) : 1993-2987
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Articles
Department of Information Technology in Institute of Medicine
(Institute of Medicine, 2008) Vaidya, P
NA.
Epidural steroid for low back pain in pain management clinic
(Institute of Medicine, 2008) Pradhan, B; Marahatta, MN; Amatya, R
Abstract
Background: Epidural steroid injection for chronic low back pain is the most common procedure performed in the pain management clinics. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of epidural steroid injection for various causes of low back pain in the patients attending pain management clinic (PMC) of this institute.
Methods: This is a prospective observational study of the patients attending in pain management clinic with the complaints of low back pain in the year 2007. All the patients who were treated with the epidural steroid injections were enrolled in the study. Data regarding the age of the patients, frequency of steroid injections, outcome of the procedure and complications if any were noted.
Results: Majority of the patients attending the PMC complained of low back pain. (Table 1) Among them 74% of the patients had prolapsed intervertebral disc. Among these, 97 patients received epidural steroid injections, among which 34 (35%) patients received single dose only whereas 38 (39%) and 25 (26%) patients received second and third dose of steroid. Among the patients who received epidural steroid, 50 (51%) had significant relief of the symptoms and signs, whereas 18 (19%) patients had moderate relief, 8 (8%) patients had no relief and follow up (FU) was lost in 22 patients (22%).
Conclusion: It is concluded that the interlaminar epidural steroid injection for lumbar radicular pain is an effective method of treatment.
Keywords: Low back pain, epidural, steroid, interlaminar
Morbidity and mortality pattern of low birth weight babies
(Institute of Medicine, 2008) Basnet, S; Adhikari, RK; Shrestha, PS
Abstract
Background: The Neonatal Unit, established in 1984 provides Level II care. The increase in preterm births from 25% to 42% with 21% of perinatal deaths related to immaturity and it’s consequences at birth prompted this study on low birth weight babies.
Methods: A retrospective study was done for all babies admitted from 2058 to 2061B.S.
Results: Of 1 327 babies, 29% were LBW with 62% being preterm. Increasing trends in babies < 1500gms and < 28 weeks at birth was noted. 70% were discharged, 10% referred (61% for advanced respiratory support) and 20% died. Respiratory distress and presumed sepsis were the most common reasons for admission as well as for deaths in LBW.
Conclusion: The existing Neonatal Unit facilities have become inadequate to deal with the increased number, morbidity and mortality pattern of inborn LBW babies. The unit needs to be upgraded to Level III with provision for mechanical ventilation, early use of nasal CPAP and institution of effective infection control measures to improve survival of this high risk group.
Keywords: Low birth weight, Neonatal unit, facilities
Nutritional status of primary school children
(Institute of Medicine, 2008) Manandhar, N; Krishna, G; Patowary, S
Abstract
Background: Malnutrition is one of the major public health problems in Nepal. The nutritional and morbidity status are indicators of the level of the quality of life of school children. Good health and adequate nutrition promote both physical growth and learning.
Methods: This study is a cross sectional study carried out during the period of August-September, 2006. The study population was the school children of Nursery to class five. One of the Government school is selected at randomly in Bharatpur.
Results: 11.38% of school children were below 80% weight for age i.e. under nutrition. According to Waterlow classification, among total school children, 89.85% were normal, 7.69% of school children were stunted and 3.38% of children were found to be wasted. Skin diseases (21.45%) were common in school children. Dental carries were found in 16.0% of school children followed by history of Worm infestation in 10.77%.
Discussion: The results of our study were quite encouraging when compared with other studies conducted in different parts of Nepal. This may be due to good water supply, better environmental conditions, good facilities for excreta disposal & health care facilities in the study area.
Conclusion: The nutritional status of primary school children in this study were found to be satisfactory when compared with other studies conducted in different parts of Nepal. The health education should be given on control and prevention of different diseases.
Keywords: Malnutrition, School children, Wasted, Stunting
Antibacterial activities of locally used toothpastes againstdental pathogens
(Institute of Medicine, 2008) Tiwari, KB; Shrestha, UT; Acharya, A; Subedi, B; Paudyal, B; Jnawali, M; Shakya, P; K.C, U; Agrawal, VP
Abstract
Background: Toothpastes need to contain various antimicrobial agents in order to reduce, control and prevent different kinds of dental diseases. Different brands have their own composition and concentration of ingredients for their efficacy. The consumers should aware about the facts associated with their health.
Methods: The bacterial pathogens were isolated and identified from various dental samples. Antibacterial activities of 11 different toothpastes available locally in markets were assessed against the isolates by standard agar well diffusion method.
Result: Monomicrobial infections were observed in all cases. The bacterial pathogens were found to be Streptococcus mutans, S. salivarius, S. sanguis, S. sobrinus and S. mitis. Of the assayed toothpastes- Colgate Total, Colgate, Anchor White and Pepsodont were found to be highly effective against the pathogens.
Conclusion: The result showed that the toothpastes containing Triclosan as a major chemical ingredient posses significant antibacterial activities.
Keywords: Streptococcus, Triclosan, Zone-of-inhibition