Browsing by Author "Wijesinghe, P.R."

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A Cohort event monitoring to determine the adverse events following administration of mouse brain derived, inactivated Japanese Encephalitis vaccine in an endemic district in Sri Lanka
(Elsevier, 2014) de Alwis, K.N.; Abeysinghe, M.R.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Wijesinghe, P.R.
Introduction of human immunization reduced Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases dramatically in Sri Lanka. However, the increased reporting ofadverse events following immunization (AEFI) affected vaccine acceptance by the community. Against this background, we describe the incidence of overall AEFI and incidence and profile of AEFI, thought to be causally related to the mouse-brain derived JE vaccine. A follow-up of 9798 vaccine recipients was performed for a period of two weeks post-vaccination. Parents self-recorded observed signs and symptoms. The self-records were collected by trained supervisors. All monitored children who manifested symptom/s were investigated in details by medical officers experienced in AEFI investigations within two weeks after ending the follow-up period. Using the results of the investigation, the causality assessment was performed. The estimated cumulative incidence rate of overall AEFI was 8.6 children per 100 immunizations. The same for observed AEFI consistent with causal association to the inactivated JE vaccine was 4.3 children (95% CI-3.9-4.7%) per 100 immunizations. The most frequent AEFI was fever (81%). The frequency of high fever (>102 °F) was 26%. Other major AEFI were body ache (22%) vomiting (21%), urticaria (19%), pruritus (5%), and headache (5%). Though 83% of children with AEFI thought to be causally related to the vaccine sought medical care, only 6.6% required hospitalizations. The incidence rate of AEFI in the cohort event monitoring was several-fold higher than that reported through the national AEFI surveillance system. The incidence rate of allergic manifestations among Sri-Lankan children approached what was reported for non-endemic settings and was higher than in other JE endemic populations elsewhere. Contrary to the belief of medical practitioners and the general public, incidence of seizures was low and vaccine related other neurological manifestations were absent.
Haemoglobin levels among pregnant women in the Polonnaruwa distrct
(University of Colombo, 2003) Siyambalagoda, R.R.M.L.R.; Perera, P.A.J.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Sumanaweera, N.P.; Wijesinghe, T.S.; de Soyza, D.N.N.; Maniwannan, S.; Wickramasinghe, W.K.; Wijesinghe, P.R.
Profile of suicidal hanging presented to a tertiary care hospital: a descriptive study
(Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, 2019) Edirisinghe, P.A.S.; Senarathne, U.D.; Pratheepa Mendis, H.K.N.L.; Wijesinghe, P.R.; Fernando, A.; Kitulwatte, I.D.G.
ABSTRACT: When a body is found suspended, the forensic pathologist is expected to give an opinion on the manner of death excluding or confirming possible criminal involvement. Conclusion is easy when findings are classic. However, it is a dilemma when there are atypical findings. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the autopsy findings in deaths due to hanging and to have an insight into the typical and atypical findings in order to appreciate the difficulties in interpretation. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study on post mortem records of the victims of hanging during a period of three years, brought to a tertiary care hospital. The findings of death investigation including background information, scene, and autopsy examination were analysed. RESULTS: Total of hundred and twelve records of deaths due to suicidal hanging were perused and 97 (86.6%) out of them were males. The majority of victims (37%) were in the age group of 21 to 40 years. The complete suspensions was identified in most cases (79.5%). The commonest ligature material (25%) was the coir rope. Sixty-nine were having a ligature mark rising to an inverted ‘V’. Classic signs were observed in 47% and the presence of classic signs was significantly associated with partial suspension (p<0.001). Internal injuries were observed in 34% and the majority were fractures. Internal injuries had no significant association to the degree of suspension (p=0.11). KEYWORDS: Hanging, Ligature material, Ligature mark, Classic signs, Internal injuries, Fractures
Study on the pattern of unnatural deaths of women brought for medico-legal autopsy
(Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at University of Peradeniya, 2017) Kitulwatte, I.D.G.; Edirisinghe, P.A.S.; Pratheepa Mendis, H.K.N.L.; Wijesinghe, P.R.; Fernando, A.; Abeyrathna, A.A.R.M.
INTRODUCTION: An unnatural death is an intentional or unintentional death due to external causes. This can often be violent, mutilating or destructive. When the unnatural death involves a female, it shatters the lives of the survivors or the family. Traumatic injuries among females remain under-reported globally and studies on this area are scarce. We planned a retrospective descriptive study to find the epidemiologic patterns of trauma- related mortality among females for the first time. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyze the traumatic deaths among females to determine the circumstances, causes and epidemiology of these deaths and also to find the factors influencing them. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on the post mortem records of the female victims of trauma during last 3 years (2013-2015) reported to a tertiary care hospital of Sri Lanka. The historical details, scene findings, findings of autopsy: external and internal examinations, the results of the post-mortem investigations and the opinion and conclusions given were obtained to fill the pro-forma. RESULTS: Out of the 139 deaths reported for medico- legal examination during the period, the majority 71(51%) were less than 40 years of age. The commonest manner of death was accidents 56 (40%), especially road accidents, followed by suicides amounting to 45 (32%). Poisoning was the commonest method of suicide 14 (31%) followed by hanging 12 (26%). Sharp injuries accounted for the majority of murders 13 (39%). Family disputes and love affairs were the main reason for 21 (47%) suicides and 13 (39%) murders. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive research into occurrence of unnatural fatalities assists authorities in the prevention of such deaths. The study highlights the importance of timely interventions on road safety and the need for effective and timely counseling services on family matters to prevent most intentional deaths of women.