study of serum zinc levels among patients of coronary artery disease conducted in a tertiary care hospital

Zinc is an important trace element that has been increasingly implicated in coronary artery disease. The study was designed to compare serum zinc levels in patients of coronary artery disease and healthy controls. It was a prospective, case control study. A total of 125 male participants were divided into healthy controls [n = 25], Ischeamic subjects without myocardial infarction [n = 50], and Ischaemic subjects with previous or present infarction [n = 50] were included in the study. The serum zinc was analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometery. The mean age in the ischaemic heart disease patients without infarction [Group - A] and with infarction was comparable to the mean age of control group. Family history of ischaemic heart disease and history of smoking were more common among disease groups as compared to controls. Serum zinc levels were found to be significantly low in study sub-group B[2] [83.68 +/- 5.55 micro g/dl] as compared to control group [99.16 +/- 5.18 micro g/dl] and remaining study groups showed insignificant differences. Decreased serum zinc levels are associated with coronary artery disease especially the acute myocardial infarction

Neonatal tetanus in Pakistan

Tetanus is caused by the spore forming gram positive, anaerobic organism clostridium tetani. It is a well known killer in neonates. In Islamabad this disease is especially seen in its Katchi Abadis. Over the past three years 88 patients of neonatal tetanus were admitted to the Children's Hospital, PIMS, out of which we were able to save sixty eight. Advanced and sophisticated techniques like intermittent positive pressure ventilation and endotracheal intubation helped to save patients who would probably have died if these facilities were not available. These measures are not available in most of the hospitals in a poor country like Pakistan. It is felt that, under the circumstances, a preventive programme consisting of immunization of women of child bearing age would be a more practicable and cost effective solution