Newborn hearing screening: what are we missing?

The objectives of the study were to demonstrate hearing status in newborns at first screening by Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions and to find out the relationship between abnormal hearing screening and known risk factors. This study was conducted in the department of neonatology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in collaboration with department of otolaryngology and department of obstetrics and gynaecology. This prospective observational study included a cohort of 168 neonates from Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and neonatal Nursery (Minimal care unit). All were screened for hearing impairment using Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in out-patient department of otolaryngology by a trained audiologist before discharge from hospital. Risk factors analysed were according to the criteria of American Academy of Pediatrics. Of the total neonates screened, Refer rate was 32.7% irrespective of presence or absence of risk factors. Small for gestational age, in-utero infections, ototoxic medications, birth weight < 1500, sepsis/meningitis, hyperbilirubinemia were found to be significant risk factors (p < 0.0001). It can be recommended that hearing screening should be universally done for all newborns.

Freeman Sheldon syndrome with marked kyphoscoliosis at birth: a case report.

Freeman sheldon syndrome or Whistling face syndrome is a disorder involving face and the musculoskeletal system. There are three basic abnormalities like microstomia with pouting lips, camptodactyly with ulnar deviation of the fingers and talipes equinovarus. Other associated less specific abnormalities are short broad neck, kyphoscoliosis. Most of the features are due to increased muscle tone. Here we are presenting a newborn with multiple congenital anomaly like microstomia with pouting lips, H like dimple of the chin, hypoplastic alae nasi, plug like nostrils, short and broad neck. Bilateral talipes equinovarus, gibbus, contracture of both upper and lower limbs with ulnar deviation of the fingers of the hand was noted. On radiological evaluation kyphoscoliosis and oar blade shaped ribs arranged in centrifugal fashion was found. The patient was diagnosed as a case of Freeman Sheldon syndrome (whistling face syndrome) on the basis of minimal diagnostic criteria, unique clinical and radiological features. She received both medical and orthopaedic management and improved.

Fasciolopsiasis in a five year old girl.

A 5 year old girl hailing from Keraniganj, presented with the complaints of fever, periumbilical pain and vomiting. In vomitus, Fasciolopsis buski worm in adult form was identified by naked eye examination. In stool, ova of Fasciolopsis buski were also observed under microscope. Clinically she was pale and had hepatomegaly. Microcytic hypochromic anaemia with normal liver function test was found on lab investigation. She was diagnosed as a case of Fasciolopsiasis and treated with Praziquantel and on follow up visit she was found to be free of symptom.

Role of serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

This cross sectional observational study was done in the division of neonatology, department of pediatrics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in the year 2007. The study population was 50 newborns in total who needed evaluation of sepsis on clinical suspicion. The main objective of this study was to assess serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a better diagnostic marker than C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in neonatal sepsis. The total study populations were classified into 4 groups like highly probable, probable, and possible and no sepsis group according to the clinical and blood parameters. PCT and CRP were assessed and compared by statistical analysis. For the estimation of PCT and CRP, venous blood was drawn and centrifuged and stored at - 20 degrees C in the refrigerator. Later on PCT was measured by rapid semi quantitative immunochromatographic test. Level of CRP was determined by semi quantitative method (latex). All data were analyzed by SPSS version 10 windows. For statistical analysis appropriate tests were done. In all observations sepsis was found to be more common in male newborns and in those who were delivered by caesarean section. In low birth weight and preterm newborns sepsis was more prevalent. Premature rupture of membrane (PROM) was found to be the commonest maternal clinical condition as a risk factor of sepsis. There was positive correlation between serum PCT and CRP and values of serum PCT as well as CRP differed significantly in the different categories of sepsis indicating relation to the severity of sepsis. PCT is a useful, sensitive and independent biomarker of neonatal sepsis. CRP measurement along with PCT measurement may increase the specificity. Though PCT measurement is comparatively expensive but an easy bed side promt convenient procedure for sick neonates in addition to CRP for rapid evaluation of neonatal sepsis rather than waiting for the report of blood culture.