Selective screening for inherited metabolic disorders in a tertiary care hospital of Karachi - A retrospective chart review.

Background & Objective: Selective high-risk screening of children suspected of having inherited metabolic disorders was conducted jointly by Chemical Pathology section and the Pediatric Department of Indus Hospital and Health Network- (IHHN) from October 2020-March 2022. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS) for newborn screening was recently introduced in a local laboratory. We did a selective high screening of children for metabolic disorders by using MS for neonates and other relevant tests for older children in our hospital. The present study was undertaken to get an estimate of the number of metabolic cases screened and identified after inclusion of an extended workup. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of children who were selectively screened for IMDs. Patients' records with ages ranging from birth to fourteen years of age were retrieved from the electronic records department of IHHN from October 2020 to March 2022. Records were searched for demographic data, history, signs, symptoms, and lab investigations. All relevant information was recorded on a pre-designed questionnaire. Results: A total of 178 children were screened for inherited metabolic disorders. Majority of the children screened were less than one month of age 96 (54%). Consanguinity was noted in 74 (41.5%) children. Most common symptoms observed were failure to thrive in 77 children (43%), hypoglycemia in 45 children (25%), and feeding difficulty in 36 children (20%). Inherited metabolic disorders were confirmed in 12 children out of which five had congenital adrenal hyperplasia, four had cystic fibrosis and three children had congenital hypothyroidism. Conclusion: In the present study, we were able to screen several children after inclusion of an extended metabolic workup. However, confirmation of many disorders like fatty acid oxidation defects, disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, and sphingolipidosis could not be done due to lack of confirmatory tests. We recommend that confirmatory tests of these disorders be included in local labs.

Evaluating long-term antibody responses to booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the Pakistani population.

Background & Objective: Nearly 80 million of the Pakistani population received two doses of the BBIBP-CorV vaccine, against SARS-CoV-2, and 2.6 million people received heterologous booster doses up to February 2022. Our objective was to measure the long-term change of antibody titers in persons vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 following two doses of BBIBP-CorV. Methods: Serum specimens from forty-three participants were collected 4-8 weeks following two doses of BBIBP-CorV at the Indus Hospital & Health Network, Karachi. A second set of serum specimens were collected 2-12 months after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose administration. Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA, Abbott Alinity Quant), and the pseudotyped lentivirus antibody neutralization assay were performed on all specimens. The latter assay was reported as log half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50), calculated using a nonlinear regression algorithm (log [inhibitor] versus normalized response variable slope) in Graph Pad Prism 9. Paired sample t-test was used to ascertain the statistical significance of the difference in means of antibody titers obtained before and after the booster vaccine doses. Results: Mean log10 values obtained with CMIA before and after the booster dose were 2.90 AU/mL and 3.87 AU/mL respectively, while the corresponding log10 IC50 values obtained through pseudotyped lentivirus antibody neutralization assay were 2.45 and 2.80. These differences were statistically significant with CMIA (p = <0.00001), but not with pseudotyped lentivirus antibody neutralization assay (p = 0.06318.). Conclusion: A heterologous booster dose with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine following two doses of BBIBP results in increased total antibody titers, though neutralizing antibody titers may start to wane a few months after the booster dose.

Response to: regarding the significance of anti-COVID-IgA antibody response in COVID-19 breakthrough infection.

In response to Chen et al.'s comments on our paper regarding the significance of anti-COVID-IgA antibody response in COVID-19 breakthrough infection in vaccinated patients, we have highlighted the role and the scope of this paper in this correspondence. The role of anti-COVID-19-IgA is already known. The objective of the previous study was to see its role in breakthrough-infected patients. To analyse this effect, we recruited patients with COVID-19 infection after they were fully vaccinated and compared them with the vaccinated group who did not get the infection. Both groups were equally exposed to the virus as all of them were health care workers. We also showed that the anti-COVID-19-NP-IgA was absent in the healthy cohort of our study groups, signifying the absence of natural infection in them during this period. The article also highlights the importance of vaccinating all individuals including those who are immunosuppressed, as it prevents severe COVID-19 infection in these individuals. The physicians should be aware of the fact that immunosuppressed patients are more likely to get COVID-19 breakthrough infection. However, proper vaccination with booster doses prevents severe infection in them.

Diagnoses and Outcomes of Patients with Suspicion of Acute Coronary Syndrome and Raised High Sensitive Troponin I: A Single Center Study from Pakistan.

Objectives Troponins are classically raised in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) although other cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular causes are recognized. We aimed to see the association of high sensitivity (Hs) Troponin I values exceeding the sex-specific 99th percentile upper reference limit (URL) with diagnoses, emergency department (ED) outcomes, 30-day outcomes of admitted patients and predictors of ACS in both genders. Materials and Methods A retrospective study of all patients presenting to the emergency department from January 2019 to April 2021 with suspicion of ACS and Hs-Troponin I values greater than the sex-specific 99th percentile URL. Statistical Analysis SPSS version 24 was used, Pearson's chi-square tests, Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and odds ratios, including the 95% confidence intervals, for each characteristic were used for analysis. A p -value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results There were a total of 5,982 patients (3,031 males, 2,951 females), out of which 878 patients were admitted under the cardiology specialty. In patients who were admitted to the ward, mortality was higher in females (8.2%) with less than a 10-fold rise in Hs-Troponin I while similar in both genders (7.6%) in patients with Hs-troponin I greater than 10-fold of sex-specific 99th percentile URL. Raised low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was a significant factor associated with 2.4 times higher odds of ACS. Conclusion Women with Hs-Troponin values up to 10 times the URL, i.e., 15.6-160 ng/L have higher mortality than their male counterparts. LDL-cholesterol is a significant risk factor for ACS which should be controlled for its prevention.

Significance of Anti-COVID-IgA antibody response in COVID-19 breakthrough infection in vaccinated patients - a single-centered study from Pakistan.

An increasing number of breakthrough-COVID-19-vaccinated individuals are being reported across the world. Humoral immunity has a crucial role in combating infection. In this study, we aimed to assess the importance of anti-COVID-S1-IgA and anti-COVID-NP-IgA in confirmed COVID-19 after vaccination (breakthrough infection group). Blood samples were collected from the breakthrough infection group within one week of breakthrough infections (n = 34). A second sample was also collected after 4 to 8 weeks (n = 27). Blood samples of healthy individuals (n = 29) were collected 4-8 weeks after the completion of vaccination. Anti-COVID-S1-IgA and anti-COVID-NP-IgA were detected by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 24. In this study, we found a higher positivity rate for anti-COVID-S1-IgA in the breakthrough infection group (70% vs. 28% in healthy individuals). Anti-COVID-NP-IgA was not found in the control group (11% in the breakthrough infection group vs. 0 in healthy individuals). In the breakthrough-infected group, the positivity rate of anti-COVID-NP-IgA decreased significantly (median titers 16.9 IU/ml decreased to 4.2 IU/ml) p = 0.001), while anti-COVID-S1-IgA increased over a period of 4-8 weeks (9.35-16.35 IU/ml). Importantly, IgA response to both COVID-19 NP and S1 antigens was not found in 13 patients at initial testing. The findings of this study show that serum IgA may have a role both in breakthrough infections and also in the prevention of severe infection. Sluggish anti-COVID-19-IgA antibody response may be responsible for the occurrence of COVID-19 infection in breakthrough infection. On the other hand, more sustained anti-COVID-19-S1-IgA over a longer period of time may have a role in preventing these patients from severe infections and hospitalization. However, a study on a larger sample size including patients with severe disease after vaccination is required to prove this hypothesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the importance of serum IgA in breakthrough-infected patients from our region.

Monocyte Distribution Width, a Novel Biomarker for Early Sepsis Screening and Comparison with Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein.

Objectives Monocyte distribution width (MDW) can be used for the early recognition of sepsis. The study compared the diagnostic accuracy of the MDW with two well-known sepsis biomarkers, procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Materials and Methods A study was conducted from July 2021 to October 2021, on 111 patients admitted to the Indus Hospital and Health Network. Patients from the ages of 1 to 90 years were enrolled if hospitalized for more than 24 hours for suspected sepsis to avoid inclusion of patients who had short-term stay in the emergency department. According to the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, the clinical team did the characterization of cases as with sepsis or without sepsis. SPSS version 24 was used, and the diagnostic accuracy of MDW was assessed and compared using the area under the curves (AUCs) acquired from receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson's chi-square/Fisher's exact test (as per need) was applied to determine the association. A p -value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results Among 111 patients, 81 (73%) patients were labeled with sepsis and 30 (27%) were without sepsis. We have reported significantly higher MDW, PCT, and CRP levels in septic patients ( p < 0.001). The AUC of MDW was comparable with PCT (0.794). Significant cutoff value for the MDW was greater than 20.24 U with 86% sensitivity and 73% specificity. Conclusion MDW may have a predictive ability similar to PCT and CRP in terms of sepsis and, thus, can be used as a standard parameter for the timely diagnosis of sepsis.

Utility of Roche Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 S in ascertaining post-vaccine neutralizing antibodies.

With widespread global COVID-19 vaccine coverage, a scalable, cost-effective, and standardized tool to ascertain post-vaccine immunity is a dire need. Neither clinical evaluations of vaccine efficacy, nor live virus antibody neutralization assays fulfill these criteria. Commercially available anti-S binding immunological assays have the potential to fill this gap, but need to be systematically evaluated for their utility to serve as surrogates for the aforementioned, widely accepted tools of determining vaccine efficacy. In this study, we evaluated an anti-S binding immunological assay (Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S) by utilizing two hundred and fifty-five archived serum specimens, either pre-pandemic, or those exposed to natural infections or vaccines with their neutralizing titers pre-determined through a live virus, pseudotyped antibody neutralization assay. Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S demonstrated good sensitivity (98%) and specificity (99%), just as has been reported in some other previously conducted studies using this assay. Only a mild correlation, however, with the live virus pseudotyped lentivirus antibody neutralization assay (Spearman's r = 0.26) was observed. We conclude that, as such, Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S has a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 S proteins, though the assay does not always correlate well with live virus assays for quantitative outcomes.

Is Tocilizumab An Effective Therapy For Severe Covid-19: A Single Center Study.

Background: The quest for effective therapies in Covid-19 continues. We compared the outcome of severe COVID-19 patients treated with and without Tocilizumab, an IL-6 inhibitor. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with Covid-19 patients admitted at The Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi between 24th March and 19th June 2020. Adult patients who received TCZ were compared with respect to mortality and days of hospitalization with those who did not. Results: A total of 88 patients including 41 patients in the TCZ group and 47 in non-TCZ group were recruited. Baseline demographic characteristics were comparable. TCZ group patients presented with worse clinical features including median SpO2 82% vs 88%, p<0.05 and CRP 193 vs 133.9 mg/L, p<0.05. Approximately, 85.4% were admitted in ICU compared to 69.8% in non-TCZ group, p>0.05. Mortality was not different among the groups (46% in TCZ group vs 51.1% in non-TCZ group, p>0.05). Median length of hospital stays, days of intubation, use of inotropic agents, and use of invasive ventilation or in-hospital complications were similar between the groups. Sub-group analysis revealed that mortality within TCZ group was associated with high IL-6 levels (173 vs 69.66 pg/ml, p<0.05), ICU admission (100% vs 72%, p<0.05), need for mechanical ventilation (100% vs 13.6%, p<0.05) and higher incidence of in-hospital complications, p<0.05. Conclusion: TCZ failed to demonstrate any mortality benefit in our patients. Non-survivors within the TCZ group were more critical compared to survivors and developed more in hospital complications.

Association of Seroconversion Status with Outcome in Admitted Covid-19 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between seroconversion status and outcome in admitted COVID-19 patients and compare inflammatory markers amongst them. STUDY DESIGN: Single cohort observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Indus Hospital and Health Network between 10th May and 10th July 2020. METHODOLOGY: All admitted patients were tested serially for anti-COVID-IgM and IgG until their sera showed positive results. This was continued until their expiry or discharge. Those patients who remained negative for both anti-COVID-19-IgG and IgM were labeled as non-seroconverts. Demographics, comorbidities, inflammatory marker levels and outcome (alive/expired) were compared between seroconverts and non-seroconverts. RESULTS: In 224 admitted patients, the median seroconversion time of IgM and IgG was six and seven days in survivors and non-survivors respectively. Expired patients displayed higher levels of procalcitonin (maximum), C-reactive protein, and Interleukin-6 (baseline and maximum). Of 34 non-seroconverts, 17 (50%) expired. Non-seroconverts significantly failed to develop fever and had lower levels of ferritin, CRP, and LDH. CONCLUSION: Non-seroconversion in hospitalised COVID-19 infected patients indicated muted immune and acute phase response and was associated with poor outcomes. Hence these patients need to be carefully evaluated and managed. KEY WORDS: Antibody response, Corticosteroids, Immunosuppression, SARS-Cov-2, Seroconversion.

High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Levels Below 99th Percentile Upper Reference Limit in Patients Presenting with Suspicion of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) in Emergency Department at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION: Troponin I levels are biomarkers of choice for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, prognostic significance of values below the 99th percentile upper reference limit (URL) in patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) need further evaluation. AIM: The objectives of the study were to find the association of High sensitivity (hs)-Troponin I values below 99th percentile URL with age and the Emergency Department (ED) outcome, to determine single cut-off for safe discharge of these patients from the ED and to determine the 30-day outcome of the patients admitted under cardiac speciality. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients presenting with suspicion of ACS in the ED between January 2019 till April 2021 and hs-Troponin I values below 99th percentile URL. RESULTS: Among 15,441 patients, 8034 (52%) were males and 7407 (48%) were females. 9677 (63%) of the patients had hs-Troponin I values < 5 ng/L while 5764 (37%) had values between 5 ng/L and 99th percentile URL. Higher hs-Troponin I values were associated with a worse ED outcome. Serial troponin I levels were performed in only 2.4% of the cohort. Receiver operating characteristics for ACS demonstrated an AUC of 0.84 at a cut off value of 12.75 ng/L, with sensitivity (76.9%) and specificity was 75.1%. The 30-day outcome of the patients admitted under cardiac speciality revealed no mortality in either group. CONCLUSION: An overall single cut-off value of 12.75 ng/L can be used in our population for ruling our ACS provided it is unaccompanied by other supportive clinical and ECG findings.

Neutralizing Antibody Response to BBIBP-CorV in Comparison with COVID-19 Recovered, Unvaccinated Individuals in a Sample of the Pakistani Population.

Fifty five percent of the Pakistani population is still unvaccinated with the two-dose protocol of COVID-19 vaccines. This study was undertaken to determine the seroconversion rate and antibody titers following the two-dose BBIBP-CorV protocol, and to compare these variables in unvaccinated, COVID-19 recovered individuals (total n = 180) at Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi. Pseudotyped lentivirus antibody neutralization assays and SARS-CoV-2 IgG Quant II (Abbott) immunoassays were performed 4-8 weeks following the second dose of the BBIBP-CorV or PCR positivity/onset of symptoms of COVID-19. Seroconversion rate, using neutralization assays, in vaccinated individuals was lower (78%) than that in unvaccinated, COVID-19-recovered individuals with moderate to severe infection (97%). Prior PCR positivity increased serocoversion rate to 98% in vaccinated individuals. Immunoassays did not, however, reveal significant inter-group differences in seroconversion rates (≥95% in all groups). Log10 mean antibody neutralizing titers following the two-dose BBIBP-CorV protocol (IC50 = 2.21) were found to be significantly less than those succeeding moderate to severe COVID-19 (IC50 = 2.94). Prior SARS-CoV-2 positivity significantly increased post-vaccination antibody titers (IC50 = 2.82). Similar inter-group titer differences were obtained using the immunoassay. BBIBP-CorV post-vaccination titers may, thus, be lower than those following natural, moderate to severe infection, while prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure increases these titers to more closely approximate the latter.

Development of a virtual classroom for pre-analytical phase of laboratory medicine for undergraduate medical students using the Delphi technique.

BACKGROUND: Amongst the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phase of laboratory testing, pre-analytical phase is the most error-prone. Knowledge gaps in understanding of pre-analytical factors are identified in the clinical years amongst undergraduate students due to lack of formal teaching modules on the pre-analytical phase. This study was conducted to seek experts' consensus in Clinical Chemistry on learning objectives and contents using the Delphi technique with an aim to develop an asynchronous virtual classroom for teaching pre-analytical factors of laboratory testing. METHODS: A mixed method study was conducted at the Aga Khan University. A questionnaire comprising of 16 learning objectives and their associated triggers was developed on Google Docs for developing the case vignettes. A four-point Likert Scale, which included strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree, was utilized for the learning objectives. An open-ended question was included for experts to suggest new items for inclusion. A cut off of at least 75% agreement was set to establish consensus on each item. A total of 17 Chemical Pathology faculty from 13 institutions across Pakistan were invited to participate in the first round of Delphi. Similar method of response was used in round two to establish consensus on the newly identified items suggested by the faculty in round 1. Later, the agreed-upon objectives and triggers were used to develop interactive scenarios over Moodle to concurrently test and teach medical students in a nonchalant manner. RESULTS: A total of 17 responses were received in Round 1 of the Delphi process (response rate = 100%), while 12 responses were received in Round 2 (response rate = 71%). In round 1, all 16 learning objectives reached the required consensus (≥ 75%) with no additional learning objectives suggested by the experts. Out of 75 triggers in round 1, 61 (81.3%) reached the consensus to be included while 39 were additionally suggested. In 2nd round, 17 out of 39 newly suggested triggers met the desired consensus. 14 triggers did not reach the consensus after two rounds, and were therefore eliminated. The virtual classroom developed using the agreed-upon learning objectives and triggers consisted of 20 items with a total score of 31 marks. The questions included multiple choice questions, fill in the blanks, drag and drop sequences and read-and-answer comprehensions. Specific learning points were included after each item and graphs and pictures were included for a vibrant experience. CONCLUSION: We developed an effective and interactive virtual session with expert consensus on the pre-analytical phase of laboratory testing for undergraduate medical students which can be used for medical technologist, graduate students and fellows in Chemical Pathology.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Detection Kits - Comparison and Agreement between Fifteen Different Assays.

Accurate and rapid diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is critical for proper care and identification of affected individuals. This led to early availability of many serological assays in the market, but with limited validation. In this study, we aimed to validate the serological assays based on different techniques. We evaluated 15 different assays based on four immunoassay techniques in 235 patients. The most sensitive kits employed were as follows: immunochromatography (Zybio severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] IgM/IgG Antibody Assay Kit - 83%), ELISA (Aeskulisa SARS-CoV-2 NP IgG -88.1%), chemiluminescence (Alinity SARS-CoV-2 IgG - 82.2%), and immunofluorescence (Lifotronic FA160 (Shenzhen SARS-CoV-2 Assay Kit [IgG]) - 88.9%). The kits by Uniper (Singuway Biotec COVID-19 IgM/IgG Presumptive Kit), Genrui 2019-nCoV IgM/IgG Test Kit, Wondfu SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test, and Aeskulisa SARS-CoV-2 NP IgG exhibited 100% specificity, whereas IgG assay using Lifotronic FA160 (Shenzhen SARS-CoV-2 Assay Kit) exhibited the lowest specificity at 58%. Maximum agreement was observed between Aeskulisa SARS-CoV-2 NP IgG and Alinity SARS-CoV-2 IgG at 94%. Serological tests are practical alternatives, but their reliability depends on critical validation. The COVID-19 pandemic warranted investment in healthcare research at both the national and international levels.

Frequencies and results of anti-nuclear, anti-dsDNA and anti-ENA in a tertiary-care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse frequencies and results of anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid and anti-extractable nuclear antigens tests ordered in a tertiary-care hospital. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, and comprised all tests ordered for anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid and anti-extractable nuclear antigens from March 2017 to January 2018. Data was retrieved from the institutional electronic database. The frequencies and results of the tests were determined. Anti-nuclear antibodies test was determined by indirect immunofluorescence, while the other two tests were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patterns emerging from anti-nuclear antibodies tests were also analysed. RESULTS: Of the 1053 cases studied, 1000(95%) were tested for for anti-nuclear antibodies. The test was positive in 260(26%) patients, and was repeated in 8(3%) of the positive and 9(1.2%) of the negative patients. Anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid test was ordered in 300(40.5%) and anti-extractable nuclear antigens test in 125(17%) patients who had tested negative for anti-nuclear antibodies. Among those who tested positive for anti-nuclear antibodies, the commonly observed patterns were homogenous 109(41.9%) and speckled 103(39.6%). Rod and ring pattern was seen in 10(3.8%) patients, and none of them were on anti-viral treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There was injudicious and unjustified ordering of auto-antibodies testing, indicating the need for greater physician education and cost-effective protocols.

Sigma metrics of Alinity ci system - a study on thirty-nine clinical chemistry and immunoassay parameters.

Objectives: Sigma metrics in an invaluable and inexpensive tool used in laboratories to monitor analytical quality of the assays. Alinity ci platform is a relatively recent analytical system launched by Abbott Diagnostics, and as such performance studies on it are few. We have calculated sigma metrics of 39 clinical chemistry and immunoassay analytes on two Alinity ci systems. Methods: Sigma metrics were calculated using results of method validation studies. Coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated according to CLSI EP 15 guidelines. Bias was calculated using three different methods i.e., proficiency testing material, alternate method comparison with existent analyzers and linearity experiment. Total allowable error limits were kept similar to or less than the ones used in reference studies. Results: All analytes except blood urea nitrogen (BUN) demonstrated greater than six sigma value across one or more levels and methods. No analyte amongst clinical chemistry and immunoassays was at below three sigma class. Amongst electrolytes, sodium was below three sigma class at two levels by proficiency testing method, although it was above four sigma class by other two methods. Sigma levels obtained were comparable to those reported in previously published studies. Conclusions: Acceptable sigma metrics were achieved for all clinical chemistry, immunoassays and electrolytes on Alinity ci. Sigma metrics is an objective and well established cost effective tool to tailor internal quality control practices. This study determines sigma metrics for a wide range of high throughput assays. Long term assay performance needs to be monitored.

Frequency and trend of vitamin D deficiency in correlation with demographic and selected biochemical parameters in Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency and trend of vitamin D deficiency, and to find its correlation with demographic and selected biochemical parameters. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at The Indus Hospital, Karachi, and comprised clinical laboratory data of individuals tested for vitamin D from January 2013 to March 2018. The trend of vitamin D deficiency and frequency was assessed in relation to age, gender and serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone. Data was analysed using Stata software. RESULTS: Of the 35,017 tests analysed, 23,522 (67.2%) related to females and 11,495 (32.8%) to males (p<0.05). Overall, 25,051 (71.5%) were vitamin D-deficient while 504 (1.4%) had toxic levels. Age had significant correlation with vitamin D deficiency (p<0.05). No significant correlation was observed with any of the biochemical parameters studied (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency was high among female gender and young population.

Obstetric and neonatal outcomes of maternal vitamin D supplementation: results of an open-label, randomized controlled trial of antenatal vitamin D supplementation in Pakistani women.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine whether vitamin D (vitD) supplementation during pregnancy affects obstetric and neonatal outcomes. SETTING: The study was conducted at a university hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: The study was a single-center, open-label, randomized, controlled trial of routine care (group A, 200 mg ferrous sulfate and 600 mg calcium daily) vs vitD supplementation (group B, 4000 IU vitamin D3 daily), started at 20 weeks and continued till delivery. Maternal serum samples of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) were collected at baseline and delivery. Neonatal vitD status was assessed in cord blood or in neonatal serum samples within 48 hours of birth. Obstetric outcomes included gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and preterm labor, and neonatal well-being included small for gestational age, birth weight, length, head circumference, and 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores. RESULTS: Of 207 gravidae enrolled, 193 completed the trial. Maternal age, vitD status, and gestational age at enrollment were comparable between the two groups. At delivery, maternal 25OHD was increased in group B (18.3 ± 11 ng/dL vs 8.82 ± 11.84 ng/dL (P = .001) compared with group A (6.9 ± 7.0 ng/dL vs 6.32 ± 3.97 ng/dL, P = .06). The obstetric outcomes were comparable between the two groups (P > .05). Neonatal 25OHD levels were significantly higher in group B compared with group A (19.22 ± 12.19 ng/dL vs 6.27 ± 5.2 ng/dL). There was positive correlation between maternal and neonatal 25OHD levels (r = 0.83, P = .001). One- and 5-minute Apgar scores were significantly higher in group B (7.10 ± 0.66 vs 6.90 ± 0.50, P = .026, and 8.53 ± 0.68 vs 8.33 ± 0.81, P = .051, respectively). Neonatal anthropometric parameters were comparable between the two groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Maternal vitD supplementation improved maternal and neonatal vitD status.

First reported case of hereditary bisalbuminaemia in Pakistan.

A 50 year old female patient demonstrated double peaks of albumin on serum protein electrophoresis (SPE). Patient's detailed medical history was taken and investigations were carried out to rule out systemic causes. Serum electrophoresis was also done on 5 of patient's children. Mixing studies were performed in gradually decreasing concentration of bisalbuminemic serum. Hereditary Bisalbuminaemia with the variant albumin showing slower mobility, was observed.

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Pakistani mothers and their newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Pakistani parturients and their newborns and to assess the correlation between maternal and newborn serum levels of the vitamin D metabolite 25-hydroxy vitamin D3. METHODS: A prospective study of parturients presenting to the labor suite with a singleton pregnancy. Maternal and cord blood were collected for estimation of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3. RESULTS: In total, 89% of the gravidae were deficient in vitamin D (serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 <30 ng/mL). There was a positive correlation between maternal and cord blood 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels(r = 0.68; P < 0.001). Inverse correlations were noted between cord blood 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and a longer duration of gestation (r = -0.33; P = 0.003) and with the newborn's birth weight (r = -0.23; P = 0.048). Maternal 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels were inversely correlated with maternal mean arterial pressure (r = 0.029; P < 0.020). CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the Pakistani parturients and their newborns. There was a correlation between higher maternal vitamin D levels and lower blood pressure in the mothers.

Apolipoprotein B in type 2 diabetics--a cross sectional study in a tertiary care set-up.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the pattern of dyslipidaemias including apolipoprotein B in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 120 diabetics were studied for their lipid profile including serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in fasting state, along with apolipoprotein B levels. RESULTS: Raised apolipoprotein B was the most frequent lipid disorder in type 2 diabetics, occurring in 56.7% of the studied patients. This was followed by high serum triglycerides levels in 55.8% and low HDL cholesterol levels in 55% of patients. Notably, 6% patients had normal triglyceride levels accompanied by raised LDL cholesterol, compared to 20% patients who had normal triglycerides with high apolipoprotein B levels. Overall, 36% of patients had normal LDL cholesterol values but elevated apolipoprotein B. CONCLUSION: Apolipoprotein B is the most frequently occurring dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetes. It identifies individuals with high risk of coronary heart disease not otherwise detected on routine lipid profile.