A newborn with teratogenic effect of imatinib mesylate: a very rare case report.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of teratogenic effect of imatinib mesylate (IM) in a newborn, whose mother was suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia and was treated with IM for 4 years, including during her pregnancy. CASE PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: The newborn was diagnosed with microtia of the right ear, preauricular tag on the left side, absence of right depressor angular oris muscle, and imperforate anus. Infantogram showed dextrocardia, hemivertebrae in the thoracic region and cervical spina bifida occulta. The newborn was operated on for the imperforate anus and was discharged in good condition. CONCLUSION: This case revealed that IM is not safe for the fetus and leads to teratogenicity. Hence, we recommend that pregnant women should not be treated with IM.

A case control study on specific learning disorders in school going children in Bikaner city.

OBJECTIVE: To asses the prevalence of learning disorders in school going children and to compare the socio-demographic variables and other related factors with learning disorder. METHODS: All the 500 students of class III to V with all sections were given the dyslexia assessment questionnaire (DAQ) to fill; 468 students returned the completed forms.Statistical analysis was done using chi-square test. Only 68 children scored ≥ 4 on DAQ were given MISIC (Mallin's intelligence scale for Indian children) for IQ assessment and DST-J for dyslexia screening. Forty-eight students were labeled as dyslexia and further diagnosis was confirmed by DSM IV- TR classification. RESULTS: Prevalence of learning disorders (LD) was found to be 10.25% with higher in males than females (11.40% vs. 7.14%).The delivery complications (20.83% vs. 4.17%; X 2-4.667, p value-0.031) were more in LD and more family members were left handed (16.67% vs. 2.08%; X 2-4.41, p value-0.036) as compared to control group. In classroom behavior, children with LD asked questions less (10.42% vs. 75%; X 2-40.91, p value-0.0001), answered questions less frequently (6.25% vs. 79.16%; X 2-52.15, p value-0.0001) and took notes less attentively than control group (4.17% vs. 58.33%; X 2-32.77, p value-0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The current study, therefore, is an attempt to identify children with learning disorders and explore the prevalence of the problem and etiological factors e.g., family environment, social factors and developmental issues of child and associated co-morbidities. More studies with larger sample size should be undertaken to get accurate picture of these disorders.There is also need for some community based programme to raise the level of awareness and knowledge about these disorders in general population.

Colorectal foreign body--a case report.

Colorectal foreign bodies are frequently encountered with increased incidence of homosexuality and anal auto-erotism. A thirty-five years old unmarried male presented with an incarcerated rectal foreign body, a phallus shaped dried fruit of Cassia fistula. It was removed transanally after manipulation at laparotomy. The case is presented here due to its rarity.