A profile of child branding cases in Kashmir valley.

The article deals with child branding cases that were researched over a period of two years. Child branding practice is a common occurrence in the rural areas of the Kashmir valley where it is often practiced by faith healers [quacks] having no knowledge of underlying disease processes or the possible differentials of the same; leaving treatment protocols a distant possibility for the same. These illiterate so called healers possibly relieve the initial stigmata of the disease process that is pain by many procedures including burning the affected population with hot coals; embers; and various other pain inducing processes. In this way cutting a painful condition by stimulating another painful condition by possible intervention of body's "pain gating mechanisms" bring a somewhat temporary relief to the sufferer. This undiagnosed and mistreated underlying disease condition meanwhile continues to linger on with increasing severity often causing morbid relapses and ultimately resulting in a highly mortal course when the patient is actually brought for tertiary hospitalization. The present study aims to establish a pattern between child branding and its medical; social and economic correlations .Among these correlations the study will focus on disease related morbidity and mortality; role of community based faith healers ["quacks"]; poverty and illiteracy. The study will also reveal how bits and pieces of scientific information have been used to misdiagnose and mistreat a significant population belonging to pediatric age group. It will further try to evaluate the role of "pain gating" mechanisms as a means of pain relief and the partial success in motivating a significant population by these healers to be part of such practices. A positive outcome of this study is educating a significant part of affected population to shun such practices and follow proper treatment regimens.

Age of fusion of the distal radial and ulnar epiphyses from hand radiographs-A study in Kashmiri population.

Age estimation is a crucial parameter involved in investigations pertaining to civil and criminal procedures. It also aids in various examinations in forensic medicine, pediatrics, endocrinology and radiology. One of the important methods for skeletal age estimation is the age of fusion of the epiphyses. But there occur variations in the skeletal ages due to environmental, hormonal, ethnic and other factors. Hence, there arises the need for separate standards of ossification for different regions. The present study was conducted to ascertain the age of fusion of the distal radial and ulnar epiphyses in Kashmiri population. A total of 160 healthy subjects, including 80 males and 80 females with ages ranging from 12 to 20years were studied. Their chronological age was obtained and the X-ray of their left hand was taken in the A.P view after taking the consent from their parents. The starting of epiphyseal fusion in lower end of radius in male was observed at 15-16years in 20% of the male population and for females, it was observed at 13-14years in 10% of the female population. The completion of epiphyseal fusion in lower end of radius in 100% males was noticed at 18-19years and for 100% females, it was noticed at 17-18years. The starting up of epiphyseal fusion in lower end of ulna in males was observed at 14-15years in 10% of the male population and for females, it was observed at 13-14years in 10% of the female population. The completion of epiphyseal fusion in lower end of ulna in 100% males was noticed at 18-19years and for 100% females, it was noticed at 17-18years. In case of males the age of fusion of the epiphyses of lower end of radius and lower end of ulna was found to be in the same age group 18 to 19years. Also in case of females the age of fusion of the epiphyses of lower end of radius and lower end of ulna was found to be in the same age group 17 to 18years. It was further observed that females showed fusion in advance of male subjects. The findings of this study were compared with those reported from other states of India and also from other countries.