A rare case of pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) presenting as short stature in an 8-year-old female.

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome is a rare, congenital abnormality. Early identification and treatment can improve patient prognosis and quality of life and prevent adverse effect on growth and development. The patient described is an 8-year-old child with a history of short stature.

A rare case of esophageal variceal bleeding as a result of portal hypertension due to extra-hepatic portal vein obstruction and its management in a 7-year-old.

INTRODUCTION: Extrahepatic Portal Vein Obstruction is the most common cause of portal hypertension in children. However, it has a very low prevalence. Esophageal varices due to portal hypertension in children can lead to recurrent episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which can have a sinister outcome if timely diagnosis and treatment are not initiated. CASE PRESENTATION: A 7-year-old male child presents with recurrent episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding for 3 years. Clinical examination reveals pallor and splenomegaly. Laboratory investigations revealed signs of hypersplenism with anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia, and Doppler ultrasonography and CT abdomen and pelvis revealed splenic vein thrombosis with splenomegaly and cavernous transformation of the portal vein. The patient was managed operatively with splenectomy with splenorenal shunting and devascularization of esophagogastric varices. DISCUSSION: Extrahepatic Portal Vein obstruction is the most common cause of noncirrhotic portal hypertension in children. Its occurrence in the pediatric population is very rare. Portal hypertension can lead to variceal bleeding and splenomegaly, which can have a significant impact on a child's long-term health. Because of its insidious nature, a meticulous workup is required for its diagnosis, and treatment in the pediatric population is difficult, and appropriate guidelines for its management specifically targeting the pediatric population are lacking. CONCLUSION: Extrahepatic Portal Vein obstruction is rare in children with a difficult diagnosis and management. Despite these hindrances, timely intervention can lift a significant burden of its detrimental outcome off the young children and drastically uplift the quality of life of these patients.

Irregular Antenatal Care Attendance among Pregnant Women during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has made access to antenatal care services difficult, which could lead to serious implications for the health of mothers and fetus. There is limited study regarding its impact on pregnant women. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of irregular antenatal care attendance among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care centre. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among pregnant women attending antenatal care visits at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in a tertiary care centre from 23 July 2021 to 5 September 2021. Ethical approval was granted by the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 077/078/67). Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. RESULTS: Among 196 pregnant women, 49 (25%) (18.96-31.06, 95% Confidence Interval) had irregular antenatal care attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of irregular antenatal care attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic was lower than other studies done in similar settings. Antenatal care is crucial to prevent maternal, fetal morbidity and mortality, hence uninterrupted antenatal care services should be provided even during crisis situation like COVID-19 pandemics.