Dengue Encephalitis Versus Japanese Encephalitis in Cases of Dengue Fever With Altered Sensorium: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Dengue and Japanese encephalitis (JE) are diseases that often conquer the top headlines in the leading newspapers during epidemics. Although recovery is the rule in most dengue cases, some unfortunately land up with multiple organ dysfunction syndromes, get critical, and even succumb to death. The main risk here is bleeding due to thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction. On the other hand, JE often presents with acute encephalitis syndrome (AES). We report a confirmed case of dengue (NS1 reactive, IgM dengue positive) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) who developed sudden onset altered sensorium. Non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) head was done, which showed an infarct in the right gangliocapsular region with normal-sized ventricles. The patient had deteriorated in the past four days, which warranted a repeat NCCT head, revealing dilated ventricles and hemorrhagic transformation in the old infarct with surrounding edema. CSF viral markers were suggestive of IgM anti-JE virus positive. An MRI brain was planned but could not be done due to the deteriorating condition of the patient. Unfortunately, the patient landed up with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and succumbed to death.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Burka-clad Pregnant Women in a 450-Bedded Maternity Hospital of Delhi.

AIM: To assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in burka-clad pregnant women and to study feto-maternal outcome in these women. METHODS: 200 pregnant burka-clad women of 18-40-year age group irrespective of the period of gestation were recruited from the ANC OPD/ward of Kasturba hospital, and their vitamin D levels were estimated. Patients were categorized into vitamin D deficient, vitamin D inadequate, and vitamin D adequate according to The Endocrine Society Guidelines. The association of vitamin D deficiency with dietary/environmental factors was taken note of. Associations with preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), low birth weight (LBW), prematurity, APGAR score, and NICU admission were also studied. RESULTS: 78 patients (39.0 %) were vitamin D inadequate; 75 patients (37.5 %) were vitamin D deficient; and 47(23.5 %) were vitamin D adequate. Mean value of vitamin D level was 23.25 ng/ml ± 18.49 (SD). Fifteen patients (7.5 %) developed preeclampsia, and all 15 were vitamin D deficient; 13 (6.5 %) developed GDM; and only 5 (2.5 %) of them were vitamin D deficient. 19 patients (9.5 %) delivered LBW babies; mothers of 15 (7.5 %) of them were vitamin D deficient. 12 patients (6.0 %) delivered premature babies, and mothers of 4 (2 %) were vitamin D deficient; 12 babies had APGAR score <7 at 5 min; mothers of 4 (2.0 %) were vitamin D deficient. Babies of 12 patients (6 %) were admitted in NICU, and of these 12 babies, mothers of 5 (2.5 %) were vitamin D deficient. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was high among burka-clad pregnant women, and it is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Routine screening of vitamin D levels is recommended in burka-clad women to improve the feto-maternal outcome.

Role of Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients with Menstrual Disorders in Tertiary Care Center of Walled City of Delhi.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of thyroid disorders and its correlation with menstrual disorders. METHODS: 100 women aged between 15 and 45 years who attended gyne OPD in Kasturba Hospital, Delhi, were included for this cross-sectional study. The study group comprised 50 patients presented with menstrual complaints. The control group consisted of 50 women of same age group with complaints other than menstrual disorders. Thyroid function tests, anti-TPO antibody estimation, and endometrial sampling were done in all patients. RESULTS: In patients with menstrual disorders, 44 % had thyroid disorders in which subclinical hypothyroidism was prevalent in 20 %, overt hypothyroidism in 14 %, and overt hyperthyroidism in 8 % of the women. Autoimmune thyroid antibodies were present in 30 % patients of women with menstrual disorders. On endometrial sampling, hypothyroid patients mainly had proliferative endometrium (42.85 %) whereas hyperthyroid had atrophic endometrium (60 %). CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid dysfunction is an important causative etiology of menstrual abnormalities. Assessment of thyroid function should be done in all patients with menstrual disorders to avoid unnecessary interventions like curettage and hysterectomy.