Aga Khan University Hospital

About: Aga Khan University Hospital is a healthcare organization based out in Karachi, Pakistan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 3001 authors who have published 3485 publications receiving 40110 citations.

Awareness of dentists regarding immediate management of dental avulsion: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice study.

Abstract: Objective To assess the knowledge of practising dentists regarding immediate management of dental avulsion. Methods The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in various dental colleges and teaching hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan, in October-November 2016, and comprised dentists working in academic institutions / departments or as general dental practitioners for at least 1 year. The subjects were asked to fill out a self-administered questionnaire. Questions related to knowledge and practice regarding immediate management of dental avulsion was asked and then responses were categorised as good knowledge, moderate and poor knowledge. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis.. Results Of the 282 subjects, 179 (63.5%) were females and 103(36.5%) were males. The overall mean age was 28. 33±4.7 years, and 194 (68.8%) had clinical experience of less than 5 years. Of the total, 30(11%) dentists had good knowledge while 130(46%) had moderate and 122(43%) had poor knowledge. Statistically significant association of knowledge regarding tooth avulsion was observed with the specialty (p= 0.006) and qualification (p=0.001). Conclusions The knowledge of dentists regarding immediate management of avulsion injuries was inadequate. Knowledge was significantly associated with specialty and qualification of the dentist.

Appropriate and inappropriate use of fresh frozen plasma.

Abstract: Objective To analyze the current situation of use and misuse of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in various clinical situations. Methods This was a cross sectional study done at Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) during a period of 4 months from December 2002 to March 2003. About 300 file records of those patients who received fresh frozen plasma were studied. Each file record was checked for the diagnosis of the patient, coagulation profile and doctor's trigger for blood transfusion. The indications of FFP were checked according to guidelines set by British Committee of Standards and Haematology. Results Of 1486 units of FFP that were transfused to 300 patients, it was observed that 78.6% (1169 / 1486) of FFP was appropriately transfused while the remaining 21.3% (317/1486 units) was used without any supportive evidence. Conclusion Although majority of the plasma was used appropriately, a considerable volume of plasma was also wasted.

Frequency of retinopathy of prematurity in premature neonates with a birth weight below 1500 grams and a gestational age less than 32 weeks: a study from a tertiary care hospital in a lower-middle income country….

Abstract: Introduction Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a treatable cause of blindness in neonates. In Pakistan, ROP is often not recognized early because screening and treatment programs are not yet in place in most neonatal units, even in tertiary care hospitals. It is hoped that this report will help inform medical professionals of the magnitude of the problem and help to design appropriate management strategies. Objectives The aim was to determine the frequency of ROP in premature and very low birth weight (BW) neonates (BW<1500 g and gestational age (GA) <32 weeks). Study Design Cross-sectional study. Study Setting Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Study Duration From June 2009 to May 2010. Subjects and Methods Neonates with a Birth weight (BW) <1500 g and Gestational Age (GA) <32 weeks who were admitted to the NICU and received an eye examination, or were referred for a ROP eye examination as an outpatient, were included in the study. GA was estimated from intrauterine ultrasound findings. Neonates with major congenital malformations, syndromes or congenital cataracts or tumors of the eyes, and those that died before the eye examination or did not attend the out patients department for an eye examination, were excluded. The neonatal eye examination was performed by a trained ophthalmologist at 4 or 6 weeks of age. Results Out of 86 neonates, ROP was identified in nine neonates (10.5%) at the first eye examination. ROP was significantly associated with BW (P = 0.037), GA (P = 0.033), and chronological age (P<0.001). Conclusions we identified ROP in 10.5% of neonates at first eye examination. Significant associations between ROP and a GA<32 weeks and a BW<1500 g were also observed.we also stress that serial follow-up of neonates at risk for ROP is important when making a final diagnosis.

Primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumor of infancy with brain metastasis: first reported case

Abstract: Primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumor of infancy (PMMTI) is a recently diagnosed entity, with only a handful of cases reported to date. Herein, we present the occurrence of this tumor in a 2-year-old boy, initially diagnosed as primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the extremity and treated with chemotherapy and surgical resection. He later presented with a cerebellar lesion, and biopsy was consistent with PMMTI. While there have been previous cases of PMMTI reported with loco-regional metastatic spread, to our knowledge, there is no known incidence of distant metastasis with involvement of the central nervous system, which makes this case the first of its kind.