MCV Value Research Articles

Accuracy of Mentzer index for predicting iron deficiency anemia in adults

Background: It is of great clinical significance to differentiate between causes of microcytic, hypo chromatic anemias, iron deficiency anemia being one of them as it will improve with iron supplements. Complete blood picture is unable to differentiate. Iron studies and Hemoglobin electrophoresis are expensive tests. This necessitates the need of a cost-effective test and therefore we tried to determine the effectiveness of mentzer index in predicting iron deficiency anemia. Methods: It was an Observational, Cross-sectional study, conducted in Department of General Medicine, Federal government polyclinic hospital, Islamabad. Patients with microcytic hypochromic anemia, both from indoor and outdoor were included in study. Iron deficiency Anemia was diagnosed by iron studies (serum ferritin, Serum Iron, TIBC and transferrin saturation) and then mentzer index was calculated to check accuracy. Patient with normocytic or macrocytic anemia or other cell lines deficiency, patients with infectious diseases or inflammatory process were excluded from study. Results: A total of 155 patients were included in the study. Out of all the patients 145(93.5%) had mentzer index of > 13 while 10(6.5%) had mentzer index of <13. All of 150 patients (100%) had transferrin saturation lessthan 20 % indicating iron deficiency anemia against 93.5% picked up by Mentzer index. The receiver operator curves (ROC) showed that the MCV was the most important predictor of anemia while calculating mentzer index. The AUC value for MCV was 0.886(CI: 95%, 0.806-0.966, p value <0.000). MCV value between 52.6 to 63.5 fl predicted that the Mentzer index would be above 13, thus suggesting iron deficiency anemia with a sensitivity of more than 86%. Conclusion: Study findings support the use of Mentzer index, particularly MCV, as a valuable tool for predicting iron deficiency anemia.

Influence of Two Kinds of Combined Oral Contraceptives on Some Red Blood Cell (RBC) Parameters in Women Attending Family Planning Unit in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Background: The use of hormonal contraceptives is on the increase among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. In this study effort was made to examine the influence of combined oral contraceptives on some Red blood cell (RBC) parameters in women attending family planning unit. Materials and Methods: Data for this study were obtained through questionnaire administered on one hundred and twenty (120) respondents who were randomly purposively selected. The subjects blood samples were collected and analysed using appropriate techniques. One way ANOVA was adopted as statistical analysis method for the study. Results and Discussions: It was observed that while combined oral contraceptives therapy caused reduction in MCV value, MCHC was significantly raised. The significant increase in haematocrit value coupled with con-comitant reduction in haemoglobin concentration in circulation as reported by this study is of great advantage in terms of oxygen carrying and delivery capacity of red blood cells and maintenance of normal function in individuals. Conclusion: The combined oral contraceptives does not show the capacity of inducing anaemia in users.

The Effect of Graded Levels of Soya Bean Meal on the Performance, Some Hematological and Physiological Parameters in Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of soya bean meal on broiler performance, some hematological and physiological parameters, using 96 one day old broiler chicks in a completely randomized design with four replicates (24 chicks/ treatment). Four experimental diets were formulated to meet nutrient requirements of the broilers chicks which included different levels of soya bean meal as follow: 0, 1, 3, and 5%. Results showed that significant (p<0.05) improvement of live body weight (kg) was noted in group fed 5% soya bean meal. Body weight gain (kg) increased significantly (P<0.05) in group fed 0% soya bean meal compared to treated groups. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly (P<0.05) improved for group fed 1% soya bean meal. Feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) increased for group fed 3% soya bean meal. RBC, Hemoglobin, MCHC and WBC values were higher for birds received 3% soya bean meal. PCV value was higher for birds received 1% soya bean meal. MCV value was higher for birds received 0% soya bean meal. MCH value was higher for birds received 5% soya bean meal. No significant (P>0.05) differences observed for carcass components. Inclusion of soya bean meal in the diet improves growth performance, blood parameters and serum metabolism.

Utilization of Mentzer Index to Discriminate Between Beta Thalassemia Minor and Anemia of Iron Deficiency, Followed by HPLC

Objective: Aim was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Mentzer index in differentiating beta thalassemia minor from anemia of Iron deficiency. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in Hematology unit of Hayatabad Medical Complex .Sampling was done non-consecutively. A total of 860 cases with value of Hemoglobin less than 11 Gm/DL were counted. In all the selected cases full blood count were checked and Mentzer Index mean corpuscular volume [MCV] per RBCs count )was calculated. Value of <13 suggests the diagnosis of β Thalassemia minor/trait while more than 13 value is more indicative of Iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Confirmation of diagnoses was made by hemoglobin study using HPLC. Values for specificity and sensitivity for Mentzer Index were calculated for the two differentials of microcytic hypochromic anemia presenting with microcytosis and hypochromia. Results: Mean hemoglobin level of patients was 9.01±1.85. Minimum and maximum hemoglobin value was 2.90 and 11 g/dl. Mean RCB count was 4.66±4.59 minimum and maximum RCB count was 1.07 and 136. Mean MCV value was 63.89±9.01. Minimum and maximum MCV value was 39.40 and 92.10 respectively. Men Mentzer index was 15.70±7.68. Minimum and maximum Mentzer index value was 7.80 and 10.7 respectively. Based on Mentzer index criteria 489(56.86%) patients had iron deficiency anemia and 371(43.14%) patients had higher suspicion of beta thalassemia. Conclusion: It was concluded that for differentiation among Beta thalassemia minor and anemia of iron deficiency , Mentzer Index can be beneficial to discriminate with a high sensitivity as well as specificity percentage and thus through a cost effective way, only suspected cases of beta thalassemia trait/minor can be further confirmed by Hb Electrophoreses. Keywords: Mentzer Index, iron deficiency Anemia, beta Thalassemia minor

Analysis of Examination Results of Erythrocyte Index in Pulmonary TB Patients Labuang Baji General Hospital, Makassar City

The high rate of transmission of tuberculosis (TB) in Makassar City is very concerning. Data from the Makassar Health Office (Dinkes) in 2019 there were 5,412 TB cases. The data then decreased during the pandemic to 3,260 cases in 2020. And 3,911 cases in 2021 with a recovery rate of 83% in 2019 and 85% in 2020. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of the erythrocyte index in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis at the Hospital of Labuang Baji, Makassar City. The type of research used is laboratory observation with descriptive method. The population in this study were all patients with pulmonary tuberculosis as many as 11 people with pulmonary tuberculosis. The results obtained are known for the MCV value, 8 tuberculosis patients have a normal MCV value, 2 patients have a low MCV value and one has a high MCV value, for the MCH value, 6 tuberculosis patients have a normal MCH value, 4 patients have a high MCH value. low and one patient had a high MCH value, for the MCHC value 4 people with tuberculosis had a normal MCHC value and 7 patients had a low MCHC value.

Evaluation of Helicobacter pylori Infection with Endoscopic, Pathological, and Laboratory Findings

Aim: Helicobacter pylori, the most common bacterial infestation in the gastrointestinal tract. It is known to role in the
 development of intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, gastric cancer, and atrophic gastritis. H. pylori infection has been thought to be
 related with many diseases such as iron deficiency, vitamin b deficiency…In our study, we aimed to evaluate the patients who
 underwent endoscopic examination in terms of endoscopic, pathological and laboratory (Hemogram and iron values) findings.
 Material and Methods: Between October 2020 and July 2021, 322 patients who were requested endoscopic examination
 and laboratory examination due to gastrointestinal system complaints were included in the study.
 Results: In our study; 152 H. pylori negative cases and 170 Helicobacter pylori positive cases were detected. Helicobacter pylori
 negative (HP-) group, the number of men was 50 and the number of women was 102. In the HP+ group, the number of men was
 61 and the number of women was 109 (P=0.6387). The mean age in the (HP-) group was 51.48 ± 1.260. The mean age in the HP+
 group was 48.29 ± 1.215 (P=0.0700). HGB value in the HP- group was 13.66 ± 0.1249, and in the HP+ group, it was found 13.95
 ± 0.1359 (P=0.1194). The mean MCV value was found to be 85.74 ± 0.4877 in the HP- group, and 85.69 ± 0.5860 (P=0.9505) in
 the HP+ group. The mean Ferritin value in the HP- group was 38.71 ± 2.979, and 44.38 ± 3.195 (P=0.1983) in the HP+ group. In
 addition, 31 cases with Pangastritis in the HP- group and 54 cases in the HP+ group were detected (p=0.0208).
 Conclusion: In our study; the endoscopic, laboratory and pathological findings of HP infection were examined, no
 significant relationship was found between age, gender, HGB, MCV and Ferritin values with HP infection. There is no
 negative correlation with Antral gastritis and Atrophic gastritis in gastritis cases, a significant correlation was found
 between pangastritis and HP (p=0.0208)

The role of serum ADAMTS-1 levels in Hyperemesis Gravidarum

BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the levels of ADAMTS-1, which is secreted from the extracellular matrix during trophoblastic invasion in hyperemesis gravidarum (HEG).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we compared 45 HEG patients aged between 21 and 34 in terms of ADAMTS-1 levels with a control group consisting of 44 healthy pregnant women. The demographic characteristics and several laboratory parameters of the patients were recorded. Both groups were also compared in terms of ketonuria. We evaluated the correlation between ADAMTS-1 levels and ketonuria.ResultsThe 2 groups were matched in terms of age, gestational age, gravidity, parity, and body mass index. Some inflammatory markers, such as neutrophil count, MPV, PDW, and PCT levels, were significantly higher in the HEG groups compared to the control group (all p < 0.05). However, mean MCV and serum TSH levels were statistically significantly lower in this group (both p < 0.001). ADAMTS-1 levels were 12.6 ± 1.4 ng/ml in the HEG group and 6.2 ± 1.6 ng/ml in the control group (p < 0.001). It was significantly and positively correlated with urine ketone, neutrophil count, and PDW, whereas negatively correlated with MCV and TSH value in the HEG group. ROC analysis showed that a threshold value of 11.275 ng/ml for ADAMTS-1 predicted HEG patients with a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 95.5%.ConclusionADAMTS-1 serum levels are increased in HEG patients, and there is a positive correlation between ADAMTS-1 levels and ketonuria.

Characteristic of Red Blood Cell Profile as a Predictor of 30-Day Clinical Outcome in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke in Indonesia. Measuring inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6) is a way to predict clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke patients. However, the laboratory test is very expensive, so it requires another test that can represent the inflammation, for instance, by measuring RDW and MCV value when hospitalized. Hence, this study aims to measure RDW and MCV value of ischemic stroke patients at admission with a 30-day clinical outcome (disability). This study is a retrospective cohort that used secondary data from medical records of ischemic stroke patients in Bethesda Hospital Yogyakarta and was conducted on 105 subjects. They are divided into two groups by their mRS score in 30-day after onset, (1) the independent group (mRS score of 0- 2), (2) the dependent group (mRS score of 3-6). After that, these two groups are analyzed by an independent t-test. High RDW and low MCV value at admission increased 30-day disability risk. There was a statistically significant RDW value and 30-day clinical outcome (p=0,008), but there was no statistically significant MCV value and 30-day clinical outcome (p=0,277). 30-day clinical outcome in ischemic stroke patients can be predicted by their characteristic of red blood cell profile at admission.

CLINICAL AND LABORATORY EVALUATION OF OUR PATIENTS WITH HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a non-immune hemolytic anemia occurring with anemia, jaundice, splenomegaly symptoms in which the cell membrane of the erythrocytes is transformed into the shape of spherocytes due to congenital membrane protein defects. In this study, the demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings, as well as complications during the follow up of our patients with HS are presented. All patients who were diagnosed with hereditary spherocytosis and followed in our pediatric hematology clinic between 2000 and 2021 years were included in the study. Gender, age consanguinity of the parents, family history of HS and splenectomy, the neonatal phototherapy history were retrospectively recorded from patients’ files. The complaints, physical examination findings, and laboratory findings at the first admission were evaluated. Duration of follow-up, transfusion frequency,splenectomy requirement, and response to splenectomy were also recorded. Sixty-seven patients (41 male, 27 female) were religible for the study. The median age of diagnosis was 3 years (range 18 day-15 years). Consanguineous marriage rate was 29.9% whereas 62.7% of the patients had a family history of HS. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was present in 67.1% of the patients. The median follow-up period was 8.5 years.The complaints at admission were jaundice (64.2 %), fatigue (26.9 %) and fainting (7.5 %). Physical examination revealed hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in 65.6% and 77.6% of the patients, respectively. Hemoglobin mean values at the time of the admission was 8.3±2.1 g/dl, ranging between 5.1-15.3 g/dl. The mean MCV value was 83.1±9.7fl, mean value of MCH was 28.8±2.9 pg, mean MCHC value was 34.9±1.6 g/l, mean indirect bilirubin was 3.5 ± 4 mg/dl. There were various degrees of spherocytosis observed in peripheral smear examinations in all patients. Incubated osmotic fragility test confirmed the diagnosis in all cases. During follow-up, 24 patients (35.8%) never needed a transfusion; 10 (14.9%) patients had an increased need for transfusion in infection periods; eight patients (12%) were regularly transfused, other 25 patients were transfused one or two times, not regularly. 29 (43.2%) had a splenectomy, 41% of the patients who had a splenectomy had a simultaneous cholecystectomy because of the bile sludge and gallstones identified in the ultrasound. Laboratory findings of the patients were also evaluated before splenectomy and two months after splenectomy. Hemoglobin and platelet levels increased significantly (p<0.01), and indirect bilirubin levels significantly decreased (p<0.01), but no significant difference was found in MCHC levels (p=0.648) Splenectomy halted transfusion dependency in 96% of patients. HS is a relatively benign form of hemolytic anemia during childhood. Despite high frequency of consangineuous marriage, familial history of HS, and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in our cohort, most of the patients were diagnosed relatively late, around three years. This finding indicate to underrecognition of HS in primary care. One-thirds of the patients have mild disease and they can be managed conservatively. Splenectomy, in selected cases, may provide clear increase in hemoglobin levels, and decrease in transfusion need.

New Insights into Red Blood Cell Microcytosis upon mTOR Inhibitor Administration

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, on red blood cell parameters in the context of iron homeostasis in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and evaluate its effect on cell size in vitro. Everolimus has a significant impact on red blood cell parameters in patients with TSC. The most common alteration was microcytosis. The mean MCV value decreased by 9.2%, 12%, and 11.8% after 3, 6, and 12 months of everolimus treatment. The iron level declined during the first 3 months, and human soluble transferrin receptor concentration increased during 6 months of therapy. The size of K562 cells decreased when cultured in the presence of 5 μM everolimus by approximately 8%. The addition of hemin to the cell culture with 5 μM everolimus did not prevent any decrease in cell size. The stage of erythroid maturation did not affect the response to everolimus. Our results showed that the mTOR inhibitor everolimus caused red blood cell microcytosis in vivo and in vitro. This effect is not clearly related to a deficit of iron and erythroid maturation. This observation confirms that mTOR signaling plays a complex role in the control of cell size.

HEMATOLOGICAL STUDY OF MACROCYTIC ANEMIA: STUDY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Introduction: Anemia is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in a health care set up. Iron deciency anemia is the predominant cause of anemia across countries and in both sexes (1,2) . Although, in approximately 2 to 4 % of patients, laboratory evidence of macrocytosis is found (3) .The cause of macrocytic anemia is classied into megaloblastic or non-megaloblastic (4). Common causes of macrocytosis are different by region and setting. The present study aims at studying patients admitted in Civil Hospital Ahmedabad during the study period with MCV value more than 100 fL and utilizing the clinical prole and other biochemical parameters to further classify anemia into Megaloblastic and NonMegaloblastic type. The study period is January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019. Relevant medical Materials and Methods: history of the patients participating in the study was considered. MCV value was determined from complete hemogram which was performed using Automatic Hematological Analyser. Peripheral smear examination was done with slides stained in Giemsa stain. Biochemical tests were performed using Automated Biochemistry Analysers. The data obtained from the above was then utilized in establishing the incidence of various causes of macrocytic anemia in our study population. Result: Out of the total 325 patients 160 (49%) were found to have megaloblastic anemia and 128 patients (40%) were found to have non-megaloblastic anemia. In the remaining 37 (11%) patients, no cause of macrocytosis was identied. The etiologies of macrocytic anemia identied in the present study were Vitamin B12 deciency, hepatic dysfunction, hypothyroidism, renal dysfunction and accelerated erythropoiesis (due to hemolysis or blood loss). Conclusion: The most common cause of macrocytic anemia in our study population was found to be Megaloblastic anemia.

Association between iron deficiency anaemia and simple febrile seizure in South Indian rural population

Background: Simple febrile seizure is a common problem worldwide, many studies have investigated the etiology and natural history of febrile seizures and evaluated various management strategies, but very little information is available about iron deficiency as a risk factor. Hence, we aimed to determine the association between iron deficiency anaemia and simple febrile seizures in south Indian rural population. Methods: It is an observational study done in paediatrics department at Sri Venkateshwaraa medical college hospital and research centre. A total 120 (60 cases and 60 control) were included in the study. Children with febrile seizures and controls were included fever without seizures. Informed consent was taken from parents of each child. Children were divided into two groups, cases and controls. Serum ferritin level, Hb, HCT and MCV levels were assessed.Results: Mean Hb level in cases and controls were 9.1±1.2 and 12.7±1.7 mg/dl respectively. Mean MCV value in cases and controls was 78.1±6.2 and 81.4±6.9 respectively. Mean serum iron level in cases was 29.9±4.9 and in controls mean serum iron level was 42.8±7.4. Conclusions: Iron deficiency anaemia is considered as a risk factor for febrile seizures in children.

A comparative study on the effects of selected pesticides on hemato-biochemistry and tissue histology of freshwater fish Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822).

The aim of the present study was to investigate the comparative effects of pesticides Chlorfenapyr, Dimethoate and Acetamiprid on the health of Cirrhinus mrigala under long term exposure. Eighty C. mrigala were divided in four equal groups; one control and three treated groups. The blood was collected from both control and treated groups at intervals of 10th, 20th and 30th days for hemato-biochemistry and histopathological alterations. The result indicates significant difference (P < 0.05) in RBCs, Hb, PCV and MCHC whereas elevation in WBCs and Platelets counts were recorded. In 10th day sampling, MCV value of Dimethoate and Acetamiprid treatment had no difference in comparison with the control group, however it is significantly increased (P < 0.05) in rest of sampling. The MCH value of exposed fish showed significant increased (P < 0.05) after 20th and 30th days for Chlorfenapyr and after 30th days for Acetamiprid exposure while insignificantly increased for rest of sampling. It was also found that these pesticides significantly decrease (p < 0.05) the T3 and T4 levels while increase in the TSH, cortical, ALP, AST, ALT and LDH levels in the serum of the treated fishes in contrast to control group. Similarly, histopathological analysis of gills and liver showed significant alterations in all the treated groups. Toxicity trends of these pesticides was ranked as Chlorfenapyr > Acetamiprid > Dimethoate. It is concluded that indiscriminate use of such pesticides poses a noxious threat to non-target organisms, harm the ecosystems and jeopardizes human health.

148P MCV-the ideal answer to predict the prognosis of remnant gastric cancer: An analysis from a multi-institutional database

To investigate the mean hemoglobin volume (MCV) in predicting the prognosis of residual gastric cancer (RGC). A total of 225 RGC patients who underwent R0 resection in three hospitals in China from January 2003 to June 2015 were enrolled. The 3-year survival time were compared. Two-step regression was performed to analyze the effect of MCV on prognosis in RGC patients. A total of 208 patients were included in the final analysis, including 135 in Group L (MCV < 100 fl) and 73 in Group N (100 ≤ MCV < 120 fl). In different hospitals, there were different RGC occurrence times and initial gastric surgery intervals and different initial surgical reconstruction methods, the MCV value was not significantly correlated with hemoglobin content (R2=0.397). Comparing the 3 years overall survival time (OS) and disease-free survival time (DFS) with Group L, Group N patients were all better (P < 0.001). The stratified analysis showed that for stage III, with no anemia or mild anemia and chemotherapy, Group N patients had significantly better OS and DFS than the Group L patients (P < 0.05). Two-step multivariate analysis showed that MCV was an independent factor for the OS and DFS, and both the OS and DFS decreased as the MCV decreased (P<0.001). MCV showed significant heterogeneity in patients with different RGC. Patients with low MCV have a significantly poor prognosis, and the MCV can therefore be a simple and effective indicator for assessing the prognosis of patients with RGC.

Relevance of MCV and Knuckle Pigmentation in Early Diagnosis of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Children

Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in children, especially who take strict vegetarian diet.Limited data is available on relevance of knuckle pigmentation and elevated MCV for early diagnosis incentral India, especially in pediatric population.Aim: To study association of knuckle pigmentation and elevated MCV with vitamin B 12 deficiency inchildren in central IndiaMethod: This was hospital based cross sectional study, carried out from March 2019 to February 2020.41 children with anemia (Hb &lt; 11 gm%) or knuckle pigmentation or elevated MCV (&gt;100 Fl) or anycombination of these, were enrolled. The association of knuckle pigmentation and elevated MCV withvitamin B 12 deficiency was studied. Data was analyzed by Chi square test. P value &lt; 0.05 was consideredto be statistically significant.Results: 29 out of 41 subjects had vitamin B 12 deficiency, maximum of which were strictly vegetarian.There was statistically significant association between vitamin b12 deficiency with elevated MCV but notwith knuckle pigmentation.Conclusion: Knuckle pigmentation and elevated MCV value may not be seen in every child with vitamin B12 deficiency, but their presence gives important clue to early diagnosis and hence leads to early treatment

Transfusion in autoimmune hemolytic anemia: comparison of two different strategies

Objective: Autoimmune Hemolytic Anaemia (AIHA) is a condition in which red blood cells (RBC) are destroyed by autoantibodies. Clinicians tend to avoid the transfusion in AIHA patients who has difficulties during pre-transfusional testing. Depending on the institutional policy, the transfusion of the selected least incompatible RBC unit is a strategy. Since ORh(-) RBCs are the universal RBC donor type, the transfusion of the group ORh(-) RBC is selected in AIHA patients. In this study, we compared the effects of group ORh(-) RBC or least match incompatible same type of blood product transfusion in AIHA patients.&#x0D; Material and Methods: The study included newly-diagnosed AIHA patients without active bleeding who required transfusion due to symptomatic anemia. ORh(-) RBC was transfused to the patients who had different blood groups and for the other patients, the least match incompatible same type blood product was transfused. Pre- and post-transfusion hematological and biochemical indicators were reported and compared.&#x0D; Results: We determined that; there was no significant difference between groups regarding the increase in Hb levels and hemolysis parameters. In correlation analysis, the lower the pre-transfusion MCV value, the higher the LDH change. The lower the pre-transfusion MCV value, the decrease in hemolysis was higher.&#x0D; Conclusion: Clinicians should not avoid transfusion for critically anemic AIHA patients for whom compatible RBC has not been found. Both group ORh(-) types of RBCs and same type least incompatible RBCs can be preferred for transfusion in critically patients when further compatibility testing procedures for alloantibodies detection cannot be performed.

Estimation of Some Genetic and Physiological Variables of Iraqi Desert Snake Cerastes gasperettii

This study nominate the first blood indicate ranges for desert snake (Cerastes gasperettii) , Twenty-eight samples of the species under study were collected during field trips in the study area (Anbar desert located at western sector of Iraq about 400 kilometers west of Baghdad City).The examined hematologic values of the (Cerastes gasperettii) snake showed the highest erythrocyte ,WBC , hemoglobin ,MCH , MCHC and hematocrit value in male when a compared with females, The MCV value was found to be the highest in females and the lowest in male, karyological study revealed that the chromosome number is 2n (diploid) and the fundamental number (ZW) is 34 in male and female. DNA fragment was observed by agarose gel electrophoresis for CTNNB1 and WAC specific primers, the derived fragments ranged from approximately 600 bp, Additionally, in the CTNNB1 specific primer amplification of DNA fragments was found in male and female and ranged from approximately 900-bp DNA band

STUDY OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN INFANTS BY MEASURING SERUM FERRETIN LEVELS

Introduction: In human body for many metabolic processes to take place as a mineral iron is necessary element. It is a part of haemoglobin which is important and essential for the delivery of oxygen to the cells of body. Worldwide especially in developing countries Nutritional anaemia is problem with the highest prevalence. When the hemoglobin and/or hematocrit are two standard deviations below the mean for that particular age and sex then a child is said to be anemic. This national problem of iron deficiency (ID) without anemia is worldwide concern which lead to long term neurodevelopment and behavior disorders that may be irreversible. Anaemia is consider as serious condition because it impair in behavioral and motor development, impairments in cognitive performance, coordination, language development, and scholastic achievement as well as increased morbidity from infectious diseases. This is most endangered in age group of 6- 24 months of age.&#x0D; Aim: The main objective of this study is to prevalence of iron deficiency in infants by measuring serum ferretin levels.&#x0D; Material and Method: Total 70 patients with various age groups from 1 month to 24 months of age group attending to Pediatrics department of this college were included for study. For each patient various physical examinations were carried out to rule out other causes of anaemia like hemolytic anaemia, anaemia of chronic disease etc. laboratory investigations like CBC, Hb indices and peripheral smear carried out. In all the patients Serum ferritin levels were estimated.&#x0D; Result: Prevalence of anaemia (Hb&lt;11gm/dl) in 1- 12 months age group was 82.3%, in 13- 18 months age group was 79.5% and in case of 19-24 months age group was 85.4%. Overall, 82.7% of infants were found to be anemic. Amont the total anaemic patients 45 infants (64.3%) among 70 infants had mild anaemia, 19 infants (27.1%) had moderate anaemia, 6 infants (8.6%) had severe anaemia. 48 (68.6%) out of 70 patients had low serum ferritin levels and only 21(30%) had normal levels. Out of 70 patients 48 had low serum ferritin levels. However though not all infants having low MCV had iron deficiency but all iron deficient infants have low MCV value. 2 of 70 infants had serum ferritin level &gt;400ng/ml.&#x0D; Conclusion: In this study there is significantly Association between iron deficiency and low MCV. This study emphasis need for iron supplementation aim all healthy infants as early as 6 months. More and more studies on a larger population of children should be carried out to determine the role of other factors is needed.&#x0D; Keywords: Infants, iron deficiency, serum ferretin, Haemoglobin level, MCV

Prevalence of physical health problems in inmates of a tertiary care mental health care facility – Cross-sectional survey

Introduction: Patients with chronic mental illnesses have increased rates of physical illness compared with the general population. Mentally ill people die earlier than general population. Physical illnesses could be contributing to this. Objectives: To identify the prevalence of physical health problems in patients with chronic mental illnesses. Methods: A descriptive, non-experimental approach was used and the setting was a tertiary care in-patient government psychiatric hospital in North Kerala in a sample of 250. Results: Study showed significant number of patients had physical problems. These included sleep problems, forgetfulness, tremors, elevated blood pressure, low haemoglobin level, elevated blood sugar level and lower MCV value. High BMI was also seen. Conclusion: Prevalence of physical health problems was high in patients with chronic mental illness. Result has wide implications in care of mentally ill. Key words: physical health problems, prevalence, chronic mental illness.

Prevalence of physical health problems in inmates of a tertiary care mental health care facility – Cross-sectional survey

Introduction: Patients with chronic mental illnesses have increased rates of physical illness compared with the general population. Mentally ill people die earlier than general population. Physical illnesses could be contributing to this. Objectives: To identify the prevalence of physical health problems in patients with chronic mental illnesses. Methods: A descriptive, non-experimental approach was used and the setting was a tertiary care in-patient government psychiatric hospital in North Kerala in a sample of 250. Results: Study showed significant number of patients had physical problems. These included sleep problems, forgetfulness, tremors, elevated blood pressure, low haemoglobin level, elevated blood sugar level and lower MCV value. High BMI was also seen. Conclusion: Prevalence of physical health problems was high in patients with chronic mental illness. Result has wide implications in care of mentally ill. Key words: physical health problems, prevalence, chronic mental illness.