Short-term outcome of magnesium sulfate infusion in perinatal asphyxia.

This randomized, single blind, controlled, clinical trial was done to see the effect of magnesium sulfate infusion in perinatal asphyxia. This study was conducted in the Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Dhaka Medical College Hospital from January, 2010 to October, 2010. Total 50 term neonates having postnatal age less than 12 hours with history of perinatal asphyxia and had history of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (moderate or severe) were included in this study. Patients were assigned randomly to receive either 3 doses of magnesium sulfate infusion at 250mg/kg per dose (0.5ml/kg per dose) 24 hours apart (experimental group) or 3 doses of normal saline infusion 24 hours apart (placebo-controlled group). Both groups also received supportive care according to the unit protocol for perinatal asphyxia. Baseline characteristics of 50 neonates had no differences in gestational age, birth weight, gender, mode and place of delivery, parity, ANC, liquor colour and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) staging and mean age of intervention between the experimental and controlled groups. The mean serum magnesium at admission was 1.6±0.3mg/dl and 1.8±0.4mg/dl and after 48 hours was 3.9±0.6mg/dl and 1.9±0.2mg/dl in experimental group and in controlled group respectively. There was no significant difference or alteration in colour, heart rate, respiration, capillary filling time/blood pressure and oxygen saturation between the experimental and control groups. At discharge, 26% (5 of 19) of infants in the experimental group had neurological abnormalities, compared with 61% (11 of 18) of infants in the control group. At discharge experimental group were received more (78% vs. 44%) oral feedings by sucking compared with the controlled group. There is no significant difference in Electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities between groups. Good short-term outcomes at discharge were seen more (60% vs. 32%) in the experimental group, compared with the placebo-controlled group. The overall mortality rate in our study was 26%. Postnatal magnesium sulfate infusion is effective in improving short-term outcomes in neonate with perinatal asphyxia.

Pott's disease in a young child.

A 16-month-old emaciated, immunized child presented with low-grade fever and progressive kyphosis with a right sided para-vertebral abscess for 9 months. During this period of illness the child had marked loss of appetite and progressive weight loss. There was history of contact with sputum smear positive father. A gibbus was present at thoraco-lumbar region with a cold abscess at the right side of the gibbus and signs of upper motor neuron lesion were found on lower limb examination. Diagnosis was supported by relevant investigations including MRI of dorsolumbar spine and treatment was started beforehand with anti-tubercular drugs. The paravertebral abscess was drained several times and antibiotics were used depending upon the results of microbiological study. At the same time the patient was advised to wear a modified chest brace for immobilization and the management for severe malnutrition was also started accordingly. There was significant clinical improvement observed within one month of starting treatment.