PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L N Balaji

Publications and source records attributed to L N Balaji.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Nutrition scenario in India--implications for clinical practice.

India has the highest prevalence (and largest share) of malnourished children, low birth weight babies and anaemia levels amongst children and women in the world. Other micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin A and iodine) also constitute serious public health problems. Various government schemes set up to combat these problems have not had the expected impact in reducing malnutrtion or micronutrient deficiencies. This is not only due to low utilisation or inadequacy of the schemes but also due to the population not adopting appropriate behaviours to improve their health and nutrition. Providing correct and timely technical advice on nutrition to their patients and their families is often given inadequate emphasis by medical practitioners. But when we know that malnutrition contributes to 55% of child mortality which has been stagnating in most states, medical practitioners, whose advice on health matters is very much heeded by the population, can play an important role in reversing this trend.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence and clinical features of chronic pancreatitis in southern India.

We have conducted a field study in India in the state of Kerala involving 28,567 inhabitants to determine the prevalence and clinical features of chronic pancreatitis of the tropics (CPT), an illness that is endemic in several regions of India. Selection criteria for the present study included: 1. Characteristic abdominal pain; 2. Evidence of diabetes mellitus; and 3. Evidence of malnutrition/malabsorption. A diagnosis of chronic calcific pancreatitis (CCP) was established by evidence of either 1, 2, or 3 plus X-ray evidence of pancreatic calculi. Diagnosis of noncalcifying chronic pancreatitis (NCCP) was established by 1, 2, or 3 plus an abnormal ultrasound of the pancreas and an abnormal bentiromide test. CPT was discovered among 36 individuals (prevalence 1:793). Strict entry criteria may have excluded additional cases. CPT was far advanced at the time of diagnosis in that 28 had evidence of calcification, 19 had diabetes mellitus, and 27 had an abnormal bentiromide test. The major differences from previous hospital-based studies were female predominance (male/female ratio, 1:1.8), onset of disease at an older age (mean 23.9 yr), and evidence of milder disease. We conclude that previous hospital-based reports that CPT is a severe illness with a male predominance may reflect greater access of seriously ill individuals in general and males in particular to medical care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Women and AIDS.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗