Major congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract among the newborns in one of the English Caribbean countries, 1993 – 2012

OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence and pattern of major congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract among the newborns in Barbados. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study includes all newborns with major congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract in Barbados from 1993 to 2012. The birth register and the neonatal admission register at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where over 90% of all deliveries in this country take place, were the main source of data. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of major congenital malformations of the digestive system in newborns was 7.28 per 10,000 live births. There were 15 (32.6%) cases of congenital absence, atresia, and stenosis of the small intestine giving a prevalence rate of 2.37 / 10,000 live births and 13 cases (28.3%) of esophageal atresia giving a prevalence rate of 2.06 / 10,000 live births. The overall prevalence of major congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract increased from 4.46 / 10,000 live births during 1993 – 1997 to 10.50 / 10,000 live births during 2008 – 2012. The prevalence of the absence, atresia or stenosis of the small intestine increased from 0.64 / 10,000 live births during 1993 – 1997 to 5.25 / 10,000 live births during 2008 – 2012. Overall, 1.1% of all neonatal deaths were attributed to major malformations of the digestive system. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital absence, atresia and stenosis of the small intestine were the most common malformations, with increasing prevalence over the study period. Tracheoesophageal fistula was the second most prevalent malformation and it had a high case fatality rate.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in free-range poultry in Grenada, West Indies.

Rural poultry production systems in Grenada are based on the scavenging indigenous domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus), the predominant species in the poultry sector. This study was done to establish the species and frequency of gastrointestinal parasites in 106 free-ranges chickens ages between 1-2 years, and collected from 13 households. Three nematodes and one tapeworm were identified: Gongylonema ingluvicola (29.2%); Ascaridia galli (10.3%); Heterakis gallinarum (4.7%); Capillaria contorta (2.83%); Railietina tertagona (38.6%). Helminth infections in free-range chickens, even when they occur in low numbers, may result in subclinical disease. High numbers can produce clinical disease. Further studies may be required to devise appropriate prevention and control methods, with improved management systems. This is the first report of gastrointestinal parasites of free-ranging poultry in Grenada.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in free-range poultry in Grenada, West Indies.

Rural poultry production systems in Grenada are based on the scavenging indigenous domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus), the predominant species in the poultry sector. This study was done to establish the species and frequency of gastrointestinal parasites in 106 free-ranges chickens ages between 1-2 years, and collected from 13 households. Three nematodes and one tapeworm were identified: Gongylonema ingluvicola (29.2%); Ascaridia galli (10.3%); Heterakis gallinarum (4.7%); Capillaria contorta (2.83%); Railietina tertagona (38.6%). Helminth infections in free-range chickens, even when they occur in low numbers, may result in subclinical disease. High numbers can produce clinical disease. Further studies may be required to devise appropriate prevention and control methods, with improved management systems. This is the first report of gastrointestinal parasites of free-ranging poultry in Grenada.

Bombesin Immunoreactivity in the stomach and small intestine of alloxan-diabetics Sprague Dawley rats.

Bombesin is a neuroendocrine peptide found in the submucosal nerve endings in the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. It is reported to stimulate the release of gastrointestinal hormones, control satiety, stimulate gastrointestinal motility, and also stimulate cellular proliferation which results in wound healing. Transient increases in bombesin concentration in the brain and serum (later followed by decrease in serum concentrations) have been reported in hyperglycemic states. The aim of this investigation is to determine the effect of hyperglycemia on bombesin secreting neurons in the submucosa of the GIT and the possible contribution of such changes to some diabetic complications. Result showed decreased immunoreactivity to bombesin in the sub mucosal neurons of the stomach and small intestine of alloxan-diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. We conclude that the reduced immunoreactivity of bombesin in these submucosal neurons, may contribute to the reduced paracrine-induced peristalsis, observed in diabetics. It may also contribute to poor wounds healing in diabetics.

Bombesin Immunoreactivity in the stomach and small intestine of alloxan-diabetics Sprague Dawley rats.

Bombesin is a neuroendocrine peptide found in the submucosal nerve endings in the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. It is reported to stimulate the release of gastrointestinal hormones, control satiety, stimulate gastrointestinal motility, and also stimulate cellular proliferation which results in wound healing. Transient increases in bombesin concentration in the brain and serum (later followed by decrease in serum concentrations) have been reported in hyperglycemic states. The aim of this investigation is to determine the effect of hyperglycemia on bombesin secreting neurons in the submucosa of the GIT and the possible contribution of such changes to some diabetic complications. Result showed decreased immunoreactivity to bombesin in the sub mucosal neurons of the stomach and small intestine of alloxan-diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. We conclude that the reduced immunoreactivity of bombesin in these submucosal neurons, may contribute to the reduced paracrine-induced peristalsis, observed in diabetics. It may also contribute to poor wounds healing in diabetics.