Cephalic tetanus as a result of rooster pecking: an unusual case.

In this paper, a case of cephalic tetanus caused by rooster pecking to the face is presented. Cephalic tetanus is a rare type of tetanus defined by trismus and paralysis of 1 or more cranial nerves. On admission to hospital the patient had facial palsy and trismus. With proper medical management she recovered without any relapse

Investigation of infant deaths associated with critical congenital heart diseases; 2018–2021, Türkiye

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of infant mortality associated with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). Methods In a cross-sectional study, data for the study were obtained through Death Notification System, Birth Notification System and Turkish Statistical Institute birth statistics. Results Of all infant deaths, 9.8% (4083) were associated with CCHD, and the infant mortality rate specific to CCHD was 8.8 per 10,000 live births. CCHD-related infant deaths accounted for 8.0% of all neonatal deaths, while the CCHD specific neonatal death rate was 4.6 per 10,000 live births. Of the deaths 21.7% occurred in the early neonatal, 30.3% in the late neonatal and 48.0% in the post neonatal period. Group 1 diseases accounted for 59.1% (n = 2415) of CCHD related infant deaths, 40.5% (n = 1652) were in Group 2 and 0.4% (n = 16) were in the unspecified group. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome was the most common CCHD among infant deaths (n = 1012; 24.8%). The highest CCHD related mortality rate was found in infants with preterm birth and low birth-weight while multiparity, maternal age ≥ 35 years, twin/triplet pregnancy, male gender, maternal education in secondary school and below, and cesarean delivery were also associated with higher CCHD related infant mortality rate. There was at least one non-cardiac congenital anomaly/genetic disorder in 26.1% of all cases. Conclusion CCHD holds a significant role in neonatal and infant mortality in Türkiye. To mitigate CCHD-related mortality rates, it is crucial to enhance prenatal diagnosis rates and promote widespread screening for neonatal CCHD

The increase of neuropathic symptoms in diabetic patients is related with osteopenia

Purpose To investigate the relationship between the intensity of neuropathic pain and the severity of osteopenia in type 2 diabetic patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (painful DPN). Methods In 220 patients with type 2 diabetes included in the screening, the presence of neuropathic pain was evaluated using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4) scoring system. One hundred forty-five patients with painful DPN were identified and included in the study. Socio-demographic and laboratory evaluations were made and bone mineral density (BMD) of these patients was evaluated by the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method. Results There was a significant correlation between the neuropathic pain score and the total T scores of the lumbar spine and femur in patients with painful DPN. According to the regression analysis (standard coefficients), the DN4 score (0.498); the level of vitamin D (- 0.246) and the female sex (0.236) for the lumbar spine region; age (0.387); DN4 score (0.261); and vitamin D level (- 0.155) for the femur region were independently influencing factors on the development of osteoporosis. When osteoporosis (T score <= - 2.5) of the lumbar spine was analyzed by binary logistic regression, the risk of osteoporosis in women was 4.4 times higher, and the risk increased with increasing DN4 score. Conclusion The increase of neuropathic symptoms in patients with DPN is an effective and important factor in the development of diabetic osteopenia