Medical Diseases

Many universities and colleges in low-income and middle-income countries require a masters dissertation or thesis for as part of postgraduate training, and some colleges offer a 1-year to 2-year diploma of child health as a clinical qualification to enable skills in child health for generalists, or as part of the early phase of paediatric training. This paper describes the stages of doing a research project for such a masters or diploma, and describes in detail how to write a minor thesis. The paper is designed to provide a practical approach for junior researchers, and their supervisors. Colleges differ in their formal requirements of a minor thesis (word count, line spacing, referencing style), but this paper outlines the principles and practical issues rarely covered elsewhere. from Archives of Disease in Childhood current issue https://ift.tt/2Mtpo1f

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can be challenging to manage. In the vast majority the outcome is good, but in a few cerebral oedema can develop rapidly and unpredictably, resulting in neurological impairment and, occasionally, death. It is more common in children than adults, and its pathophysiology has traditionally been attributed to rapid changes in blood osmolality causing fluid to shift into brain cells. For these reasons, recommended intravenous rehydration regimes for  children have differed from those for adults, using lower rates and volumes, and isotonic rather than hypotonic solutions. This has been challenged recently, with a suggestion that the oedema is more due to vascular endothelial leakage following reperfusion injury, and nothing to do with osmosis. In a large multi-centre randomised controlled trial from the US, around 1300 children under 18 presenting with DKA (blood glucose >16.7 mmol/L and either pH <7.25 or bicarbonate <15 mmol/L) were randomised to one o

Many factors have been suggested as causes for the apparent rise in prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Perhaps most terrifying for pregnant women is the suggestion that antenatal (AN) ultrasound may be harmful to the developing brain. There is some theoretical justification for this: high-energy sound waves have been shown to cause neuronal disruption in mouse models. When early safety studies were done in the 1990s, the results were reassuring. But since then, more frequent and higher-energy scans have become the norm, which might increase risk. A retrospective case-control study from Boston, USA, produced apparently contradictory results, and much controversy (Rosman NP et al doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.5634) They identified 107 children with paediatrician-diagnosed ASD born between 2006 and 2014 and and two matched comparison groups: one of 104 with non-ASD developmental delay, and another of 2019 with normal development. They had detailed data on all AN scans. Th

The newly recognised and emerging fungal species, Candida auris , has caused worldwide invasive infections and has been implicated in difficult to control hospital outbreaks. Challenges are encountered in the correct identification of this fungus as commonly used phenotypic and biochemical methods fail to differentiate C. auris from other Candida species. Its resistance profile, over 90% of isolates are fluconazole resistant and 35% are resistant to amphotericin, confronts clinicians with the restricted arsenal of antifungals and concerns about optimal treatment. The very first C. auris isolate was recovered from a paediatric patient in retrospect. Although infections with the more antifungal-resistant Candida species are less frequently observed in paediatric patients, this seems to be different for C. auris infections. from Archives of Disease in Childhood current issue https://ift.tt/2Bro9M7

In recent years, there have been significant advances in genetic technologies, evolving the field of genomics from genetics. This has huge diagnostic potential, as genomic testing increasingly becomes part of mainstream medicine. However, there are numerous potential pitfalls in the interpretation of genomic data. It is therefore essential that we educate clinicians more widely about the appropriate interpretation and utilisation of genomic testing. from Archives of Disease in Childhood current issue https://ift.tt/2MvKUmi

The consequences of vitamin D and dietary calcium deficiency have become a huge public health concern in the UK. The burden of disease from these deficiencies includes rickets, and hypocalcaemic seizures, dilated cardiomyopathy and mostly occult myopathy and osteomalacia. The increasing burden of the disease is intrinsically linked to ethnicity and the population demographic changes in the UK. Three facts have led to the resurfacing of the English disease: (1) the UK has no ultraviolet sunlight for at least 6 months of the year, (2) dark skin produces far less vitamin D than white skin per unit ultraviolet light exposure, and (3) non-European Union immigration over the last century. To date, the UK government demonstrates incomplete understanding of these three facts, and its failure to adjust its prevention programmes to changing demographics is endangering the health and life of UK residents with dark skin, of whom infants are the most vulnerable. Establishing accountability through

HP Hood LLC Recalls Select Units of Half-Gallon Refrigerated Vanilla Almond Breeze Almond Milk due to Possible Milk Allergen HP Hood LLC is voluntarily recalling a limited number of half-gallon (1.89 L) cartons of refrigerated Vanilla Almond Breeze almond milk because the product may contain milk, an allergen not listed on the label. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The product is safe to consume unless you have a milk allergy or sensitivity. To date, there has been one report of an allergic reaction. Medical treatment or hospitalization was not required. Published August 03, 2018 at 08:11AM

Sweet Earth Foods Issues Allergy Alert for Undeclared Egg and Milk in Aloha BBQ Quesadillas Due to Mismatched Packaging Sweet Earth Foods is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited amount of 8-ounce packages of Sweet Earth Aloha BBQ Quesadilla due to mismatched packaging, resulting in undeclared egg and milk allergens. People who are allergic to eggs or milk could have a serious or life- threatening reaction if they consume this item. A UPC code of 016741000551 appears on the back of the package. The "best by" date of 6/28/19 and lot number of 8149 appears on the side of the package. Published August 02, 2018 at 09:10AM

ADM Animal Nutrition Recalls Mintrate® 36-15 Breed Right Cattle Tub - A specific lot of product may contain elevated levels of non-protein nitrogen, could harm cattle ADM Animal Nutrition, a division of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM), is recalling 200-pound tubs of Mintrate® 36-15 Breed Right Tub cattle feed, product number 54549AAA6H, because the product may contain elevated levels of non-protein nitrogen, which could be harmful to cattle. Excessive levels of non-protein nitrogen can be toxic to cattle and can cause muscle tremors (especially of face and ears), abdominal pain, bloat, frothy salivation, excessive urination, teeth grinding, incoordination, weakness, shortness of breath and possible death. Published August 01, 2018 at 01:36AM

ADM Animal Nutrition Recalls Mintrate® 36-15 Breed Right Cattle Tub - A specific lot of product may contain elevated levels of non-protein nitrogen, could harm cattle ADM Animal Nutrition, a division of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM), is recalling 200-pound tubs of Mintrate® 36-15 Breed Right Tub cattle feed, product number 54549AAA6H, because the product may contain elevated levels of non-protein nitrogen, which could be harmful to cattle. Excessive levels of non-protein nitrogen can be toxic to cattle and can cause muscle tremors (especially of face and ears), abdominal pain, bloat, frothy salivation, excessive urination, teeth grinding, incoordination, weakness, shortness of breath and possible death. Published August 01, 2018 at 01:36AM