Association of Age at Menarche with Anthropometric Measures in Punjabi Bania Girls.

INTRODUCTION: Menarcheal age is the age at which menstruation begins. Menarcheal age is regarded as a sensitive indicator of physical, biological and psychological environment. AIM: 1) To determine the menarcheal age and to examine the relationship between current age at menarche with anthropometric measures in Punjabi bania girls. 2) To develop maturity standards for Bania girls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional survey was carried out on 200 bania girls at the age of onset of menarche. Menarcheal data was obtained by status quo method by asking about whether menarche has been experienced or not. In the present survey adolescent girls were interviewed with the help of pre-designed questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out in SPSS software, version 16.0. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for correlation studies. RESULTS: A total of 200 Punjabi bania girls were examined in the study. The median age of onset of menarche in these girls was 12.3 years. Menarcheal age was positively associated with bi-acromial width, bi-iliac width and arm span. CONCLUSION: The present research has revealed secular trend in the age of onset of menarche as indicated by median age of 12.3 years in Bania girls. The bi-acromial width, bi-iliac width and arm span were also correlated with the age of menarche.

Thrombocytopenia in Paediatric ICU: Incidence, Transfusion Requirement and Role as Prognostic Indicator.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombocytopenia is defined as platelet count less than 150×10(9)/L, it has a greater incidence in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) compared to wards and its most common cause is increased platelet consumption. AIMS: To investigate incidence of thrombocytopenia, platelet transfusions requirement, associated diseases and relationship between thrombocytopenia and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven months hospital records between October 2013 and August 2014 of the PICU in a tertiary care teaching hospital was investigated retrospectively and 275 critically ill children formed the sample. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used. Probability value (p-value) of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results were confirmed using χ(2) test. RESULTS: Out of 275 patients {168 males (61.09%) and 107 females (38.91%)}, 89 patients had thrombocytopenia. Out of these 89 patients, 43 patients (48.31%) had severe, 24 patients (27.91%) had moderate and 22 patients (24.72%) had mild thrombocytopenia. The 43 patients having severe thrombocytopenia received platelet transfusion and out of these 43 patients 24 (55.81%) received more than one transfusion and 18 (41.86%) of the transfused patients expired. Among thrombocytopaenic patients, Sepsis (25.84%) was the most common diagnosis followed by Pneumonia (19.10%), Meningitis (13.48%), Diabetic Ketoacidosis (5.62%), Enteric fever (7.86%), Tubercular Meningitis (3.37%), Infantile Tremor Syndrome (2.25%), Congenital heart disease (5.62%), Burns(3.37%), Brain Haemorrhage (2.25%%), Hepatic abscess (1.12%), Chronic Renal Failure (3.37%), Malaria (2.25%) and Hepatitis (4.49%). There is a statistically significant association between thrombocytopenia and mortality. A significant association was established between mortality in thrombocytopenic patients of sepsis. CONCLUSION: Thrombocytopenia is commonly associated with sepsis. Mortality rate is higher in thrombocytopenic patients.