Editorial Team

Omar Akramur Rab, MBBS, FCGP, FIAGP, FRSH (UK) 
Latifa Nishat, MBBS  Shaokat Zaman, MBBS
Thwe Thwe Prue, 
Web Developer

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Hypertension in Pregnancy 

High BP in pregnancy & its effects in later life                        Back to Features

Women who suffer from hypertensive diseases during pregnancy may be more     likely to have high blood pressure and its related effects later in life. Nearly 30 percent of all first pregnancies are associated with gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. Little research, however, has been done to assess how these conditions affect a woman’s chance of developing high blood pressure and related problems later in life. Researchers designed a large-scale, retrospective review aimed at clarifying the association. The study involved nearly 3,600 women who first gave birth between 1951 and 1970. Average age of the mother at delivery was about 24. All were assessed for vital signs and cardiovascular health through a questionnaire, clinical examinations, and analysis of hospital discharge records and mortality data. Researchers found an increased incidence of high blood pressure among those with gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia when compared with those without those conditions during pregnancy. Women with the conditions were also more likely to have been admitted to the hospital for diseases related to high blood pressure, and more likely to die from stroke and ischaemic heart disease. The risk of death from stroke was most significant for women who suffered from pre-eclampsia or eclampsia.

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, 2003;326:845-849

GlucoWatch

New blood glucose monitor                                                Back to Features

Diabetic children can now check their blood sugar without pricking their fingers. In a recent study, GlucoWatch, a new automated noninvasive device to monitor blood glucose, significantly improved glucose control in children with type 1 diabetes. The GlucoWatch biographer is a device worn on the skin that monitors glucose levels in fluid extracted across the skin of diabetic patients. Researchers studied the effects of monitoring 40 children with poor glucose control with GlucoWatch compared to conventional means of finger stick blood glucose monitoring. Researchers report that the GlucoWatch biographer was well tolerated by children and adolescents and significantly improved glucose control compared to standard regimens. Researchers write  that the GlucoWatch has been shown to be safe, and the glucose levels have correlated well with finger stick blood glucose levels in adults, … and similar accuracy in children and adolescents

SOURCE: Pediatrics,2003;111:790-794

Infants & VitaminD!

New guidelines for vitamin D intake                                               Back to Features 

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of America now recommends that all infants, including those who are exclusively breastfed, get a minimum of 200 IU of vitamin D per day beginning in the first two months of life. Infants who are breastfed and do not receive supplemental vitamin D or adequate sunlight exposure are at increased risk of developing rickets. The recommended adequate intake of vitamin D cannot be met with human milk as the sole source of vitamin D for the breastfeeding infant. Because adequate sunlight exposure is not easily determined, the NAS also suggests the recommended daily dose of vitamin D be continued throughout childhood and adolescence. One source of vitamin D is from exposure to ultraviolet B light from the sun. Decreased sunlight exposure occurs in winter and from clouds and air pollution. Lifestyles and cultural practices may also limit sun exposure. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) and other organizations have launched a public health campaign to decrease the incidence of skin cancer by urging people to limit sun exposure. This combination of factors has led to decreased sun exposure overall and potentially decreased vitamin D synthesis among individuals.

SOURCE: The American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report, 2003

Tea & Metabolic Syndrome X!

Green tea leaves for metabolic syndrome                           Back to Features

Doctors routinely prescribe weight loss, exercise and a healthy diet to fight against Metabolic Syndrome X. Researchers are studying another combative measure. A derivative of the green tea leaf may help with Metabolic Syndrome X, a potentially deadly disorder. Metabolic Syndrome X is the term used to describe a group of heart disease risk factors, including high levels of abdominal fat, bad cholesterol, high blood pressure, and abnormal glucose metabolism. Also known as Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Metabolic Syndrome X is thought to occur in people with a family history of type 2 diabetes. Researchers say excessive caloric intake is one of the root causes. Researchers found Tegreen, a tea product, improves glucose and lipid metabolism, enhances insulin sensitivity and balances the metabolic rate of fat deposit and fat burning in obese rats. Researchers studied 44 female rates divided into four groups. The first group received a normal diet and a normal-diet placebo. The second group received a high-calorie diet and a high-calorie diet placebo. The last two groups were given Tegreen at doses of 25 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg. Investigators found blood sugar decreased by 21.5 percent for the group given the low dose of Tegreen and decreased 15.7 percent for the group given the high dose. Fat relative to body weight also decreased 11.9 percent in the low-dose group and decreased 21.6 percent in the high-dose group.

SOURCE: Experimental Biology 2003, San Diego, April 11-15, 2003

New Treatment For Acne 

New dose of common treatment improves acne                    Back to Feature

Researchers have found a specific dose of a commonly used treatment for moderate acne significantly reduces the number of lesions in patients. Previous studies show doxycycline treatment at doses of 100 milligrams to 200 milligrams a day reduces the number and severity of inflammatory lesions. However, these antimicrobial doses are often associated with the emergence of resistant bacteria and adverse effects, such as vaginal candidiasis and gastrointestinal upset. As part of the multicenter trial, 44 patients were randomized to receive either 20 milligrams of SD doxycycline or a placebo twice a day for six months. After six months, the treatment group had an average 50-percent greater reduction in the number of inflammatory lesions while the placebo group had an average 30-percent reduction. The average reduction in the number of noninflammatory lesions was 54 percent in the treatment group and 11 percent in the placebo group. In the number of all lesions combined, the average reduction after six months was 52 percent in the doxycycline group and 18 percent in the placebo group.  Researchers also found doxycycline was well tolerated, had no detectable antimicrobial effect, and did not result in the emergence of resistant organisms.

SOURCE: Archives of Dermatology, 2003;139:459-464