Colorectal carcinoma in first decade of life: our experience.

INTRODUCTION: Though the lifetime risk of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in general population is 5-6 %, it is uncommon in pediatric age group. Here, we are reporting our experience of CRC in the first decade of life. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2013, seven patients with histopathologically confirmed colorectal carcinoma were treated in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Chittagong Medical College and hospital. Age, sex, presenting symptoms, location of the primary tumor, serum CEA level, treatment modalities and outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: There were four male and three female patients and age ranged from 6.5 to 10.5 years. Rectum (3 patients) and rectosigmoid (2 patients) were the most common primary sites. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen level was obtained in six patients and in only one patient the level was raised markedly (137 ng/ml). Two patients of familial adenomatous polyposis had localized disease and others presented in an advanced stage. Histopathologically, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was noted in five patients with one signet ring cell type and well differentiated in rest of the two patients. Only one patient was surviving at the last follow up. CONCLUSION: Advanced stage at diagnosis, aggressive histologic subtype and poor survival are the hallmarks of pediatric CRC.

Health and Disease among Primary School Children: A Snapshot from Rural Bangladesh

Aims: There is scarcity of research on the health and disease status of primary school children in Bangladesh. This study aimed at assessing prevalence of medical diseases and surgical conditions among rural primary school children. Materials and Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in 2018 on2 public and 2 private primary school children in Bakila and Gogra village of Chandpur district. History of immunization, deworming, major current or previous illness, allergy, trauma, surgery and drug historywere recorded. Anthropometric measurements, milestones of development, body build and nutritional status; and other general and systemic examinations were carried out. Comparison was made between the public and private primary school students.Results:227 primary school children (99 public school students and 128 private school students), were evaluated. Median age was 7 years and male to female ratio was 1.39:1. At least one medical disease or surgical condition was present in 146 (64.3%) students. Medical disease was present in 114 (50.2%) and surgical condition was present in 40 (17.6%) children. About 96.48% children completed immunization and 76.65% children were having regular deworming. Overall, 19.38% children were underweighted and 24.23% childrenwere stunted. Bronchial asthma was the most common medical disease (11.89%), followed by rhinitis (8.37%) and food allergy (5.73%). Dental caries was the most common surgical condition, followed by tonsillitis (4.41%) and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), 2.64%. Conclusion: A diverse medical diseases and surgical conditions were prevalent among primary school children and most of these are preventable. These did not vary significantly between public and private schools