PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R K Marwaha

Publications and source records attributed to R K Marwaha.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Multi-drug-resistant Salmonella typhi--a need for therapeutic reappraisal.

Enteric fever caused by Salmonella typhi resistant to all the standard first-line antibiotics is emerging as a major problem in developing countries. Fifteen such culture-proven cases were treated with ceftriaxone (6), cefotaxime (5) or ciprofloxacin (4). The earliest defervescence occurred with ceftriaxone (mean 3.3 days). Clinical cures were obtained with all three drugs with only one child having a relapse. Ciprofloxacin, by virtue of its cost and an oral route of administration, is the ideal choice in a developing country.

Cefotaxime↗
PubMed1992

Routine hematological values in term newborns.

Routine hematological parameters were investigated in 240 term normal neonates, 40 neonates in the first week of life and 49 infants between 3 and 6 months of age. Term normal neonates were selected on the basis of well defined criteria. Cord blood Hb values of 16.2 +/- 1.5 g/dl compared well with some of the recent Indian studies and Caucasian figures. Cord blood hemoglobin was lower in the presence of low maternal hemoglobin and in newborns delivered by Cesarean section. A wide variation existed in the total and differential leucocyte counts, thus limiting the clinical utility of white cell counts in the newborn period. Platelet counts were within the adult normal range.

Blood Cell Count↗
PubMed1992

Psychosocial study of leukemic children and their parents.

Psychosocial assessment was carried out in 35 children with acute lymphatic leukemic, an equal number with non-leukemic chronic illness and their parents. Psychological dysfunction existed more frequently in parents of leukemic children. Depression as an initial reaction on being conveyed the diagnosis, was seen in 85.8% whilst anger was observed in 42.8%. Majority (89.7%) entertained doubts about whether a correct diagnosis has been established. Understanding of the disease, its possible course and the need for prolonged treatment, was appreciated by about 65.7% of parents. The disease imposed serious social, financial and occupational burdens on the family. Measures used to cope with such stresses included meeting close friends and relatives and finding solace in religious activities. When comparing psychopathology in leukemic children with that in chronically ill non-leukemic counterparts, significant differences were observed in certain specific syndrome scores. Conduct disorder, anxiety, depression and psychotic symptoms were more prevalent in leukemic children. This study emphasizes the necessity of active psychosocial intervention in the total care of childhood leukemia.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Serological responses to hepatitis B virus infection in multi-transfused thalassemic children.

One hundred children with beta-thalassemia major were studied prospectively. A one time analysis of serum samples was carried out for a battery of hepatitis B viral markers viz., HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc. Seven mutually different serological patterns were observed. The commonest profile seen in 49 patients was a combined seropositivity for anti-HBc and anti-HBs indicating past HBV infection with persisting immunity. Definite evidence of active HBV infection (seropositivity for HBsAg and/or HBeAg) was demonstrated in 10 cases, six of these were HBsAg positive. Anti-HBc positivity alone was detected in 17 patients. The remaining 24 children were seropositive for anti-HBs alone suggesting a possible passive transmission of anti-HBs through blood transfusion.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed1991

Risks and benefits of percutaneous biopsy and primary chemotherapy in advanced Wilms' tumour.

Between 1982 and 1988, 36 children with advanced Wilms' tumour underwent percutaneous trucut needle biopsy followed by chemotherapy before definitive surgery. Nephrectomy was performed after a median of 14 weeks of chemotherapy. Substantial reduction in tumour bulk was achieved in 94% of patients. Biopsy morbidity was low and complete concordance between the histological assessment of the tumour in the biopsy specimen and at subsequent nephrectomy was confirmed in 26 of 28 (93%) patients. The overall clinical value of trucut biopsy was 83% (30/36 patients). Survival rates in this high-risk group were comparable to those of children with less advanced disease. Chemotherapy may be the primary treatment of choice for patients with Wilms' tumour. Percutaneous biopsy allows definition of histology in most patients without increasing morbidity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Immune status in ataxia telangiectasia.

Immune status of 22 patients of ataxia telangiectasia was studied over a period of 8 yr (mean age of patients: 9.5 +/- 3 yr; 9 of 22 were siblings). Low T-cell number was observed in 14 of 19 patients but the response to PHA challenge done in 10 patients was normal and migration inhibition to BCG antigen was positive in 6 of 6 patients. IgM defect was seen in 2 out of 18 patients and serum IgA was deficient in 10 out of 18 patients. Salivary IgA was also absent in these children. Four children had high spontaneous NBT reduction. None of the patients had lymphoma, leukemia or any other malignancy at the time of presentation. Candida killing was normal in all patients. The presenting feature related to the CNS in almost all children and gross infections were not seen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

B cell lymphoma of the thyroid in Hashimoto's thyroiditis monitored by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

An 80-yr-old female with a grade I diffuse goiter was diagnosed on fine-needle aspiration cytology as having Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Two years later, she developed a hard nodular growth in the right lobe of the thyroid, which was subjected to fine-needle aspiration and diagnosed as a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Immunocytology demonstrated the monoclonal B cell nature of the lesion. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and is alive and free of the disease 27 mo after surgery.

Aged↗