Recent Submissions
Collodion baby successfully treated with acitretin
(Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, 2024-12) Suwarna, P.; Dayasiri, K.; Nawaratne, D.
No abstract available
Internal biliary diversion for medically refractory pruritus in a child with Alagille syndrome: a novel alternative for liver transplantation
(Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, 2024-12) Tillakaratne, S.; Fernando, M.; Batepola, T.; Gunetilleke, B.; Appuhamy, C.; Weerasuriya, A.; Siriwardana, R.
No abstract available
Acute hemolytic crisis complicated with ischemic cardiac injury and methemoglobinaemia following ingestion of naphthalene: a case report
(BioMed Central, 2024-12) Dayasiri, K.; Pathiraja, H.; Thadchanamoorthy, V.
BACKGROUND Naphthalene is an aromatic hydrocarbon that potentially produces methemoglobinaemia but rarely causes hemolysis, especially in children with underlying glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Although ingestion of a single moth ball by an older child may not be life threatening, it can be fatal if ingested by a toddler. CASE PRESENTATION A 2-year-old Singhalese boy developed acute severe hemolysis and methemoglobinaemia following ingestion of a mothball. On admission, the patient was ill and pale. The child was tachycardic and tachypnoiec with oxygen saturation of 76% on air. Blood investigations showed significant anemia, elevated reticulocytes, and evidence of hemolysis in a blood picture, along with elevated lactate dehydrogenase and indirect bilirubin. Child also had ST depressions on electrocardiogram examination with negative troponin-I. He was given four packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions and was successfully discharged in 3 days time following optimal supportive treatment. A glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase assay confirmed the diagnosis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in this child: 0.9 U/gHb (4.0-13.0 U/gHb).CONCLUSION This case report highlights a rare life-threatening presentation of naphthalene ingestion in a child with previously undiagnosed glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Ingestion of even a single moth ball can be fatal in vulnerable children given the altered toxicokinetics of naphthalene in children.
Bridging the gap: Policy recommendations to address suicides committed by Indigenous youth in Victoria
(AccScience Publishing, 2024-12) Shoib, S.; Das, S.; Saeed, F.; Chandradasa, M.; Zaidi, I.
The Aboriginal population comprises 3.3% of the total Australian population, and youth represent 19% of this segment. In general, the Aboriginal inhabitants of Australia experience discrimination, limited access to education, and low socioeconomic conditions, and exhibit high mental disorder rates. The rate of suicide attempts by the Indigenous people of Victoria increased by 75% in 2021. This study examined the possible risk factors associated with suicides committed by Indigenous youth in Victoria. It focused on the health profiles of Victorian Aboriginal individuals, identified stakeholders who could help improve their mental well-being, addressed the needs and issues related to Aboriginal mental health, and examined substance abuse in this population segment. Finally, recommendations are offered to mitigate the studied problem. Rising suicide rates represent an urgent concern because they reflect the diminished mental health conditions of a society, particularly among its marginalized populations. It is crucial to develop an integrated suicide prevention act that takes into account the biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual determinants of this population.
A cadaveric study on branching patterns of the right intrahepatic bile ducts at the hepatic hilum
(Anatomical Society of Sri Lanka, 2024-12) Abeysuriya, V.; Nuwantha, A. A. S.
OBJECTIVE Comprehensive anatomical knowledge in branching patterns of intrahepatic bile ducts at the hepatic hilum is useful in liver resection and transplantation. This study was aimed on the anatomical relation of the right anterior and posterior segmental branches to the formation of the right hepatic duct and on the variants of their drainage. METHODS From the year 2022 to 2023, 25 fresh liver specimens were dissected. The extrahepatic bile duct was identified initially. Then the right hepatic duct identified followed by the right anterior and posterior segmental branches were delineated via liver parenchymal dissection. RESULTS In our study, 19/25 (76%) of liver specimens had the right posterior duct ran posterior to the right anterior duct and fused it from a left (medial) sided approach to form the right hepatic duct. An ectopic drainage of the right anterior segmental duct into the common hepatic duct was noted in 3/25 (12%). A variant of “triple confluence”, was encountered in 1/25 (4%). Drainage of the right posterior hepatic duct into the left hepatic duct before its confluence with the right anterior duct was presented in 1/25 (4%). The direct drainage of the right posterior duct into the common hepatic duct was present in 1/25 (4%). There was no ectopic drainage of the right anterior duct into the left hepatic ductal system, and an ectopic drainage of the right posterior duct into the cystic duct.
CONCLUSION Variations of the right hepatic duct confluence were less. However, two most common variations were the ectopic drainage of the right anterior duct into the common hepatic duct and the triple confluence.