A rare cause of hypoglycaemia

This paper describes a case study concerning a young man on treatment for psychiatric illness who developed severe episodes of hypoglycaemia. After several investigations, lithium therapy was implicated. Stopping this treatment resulted in the patient being relieved of these episodes.peer-reviewe

Association of coeliac disease and thyroid disorders

A case study is presented. This involves a woman who presented with features of hyperthyroidism, which were refractory to conventional therapy. She was eventually diagnosed to have co-existing coeliac disease and eventually improved on a diet excluding gluten. A discussion exploring the association between gluten-enetropathy and thyroid dysfunction follows.peer-reviewe

The use of K39 test in the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis

From time to time patients admitted with fever of unknown origin prove to be a diagnostic dilemma. While textbooks describe typical symptoms and signs, and also diagnostic tests, these are not always helpful. The following are two case reports of patients who were eventually diagnosed to be suffering from visceral leishmaniasis. It is apparent that the usual diagnostic tools at our disposal were not enough to identify the disease and new tests were needed. The case reports have some similarities; both patients are male, diabetic, resident in Gozo but not of Gozitan stock. These factors could have reduced their immunity to visceral leishmaniasis, making them more susceptible to the disease.peer-reviewe

Towards Measles elimination

In many European countries measles is still a cause of great public health concern. Outbreaks of the disease are still occurring because the degree of vaccination coverage required to interrupt transmission has not yet been achieved. Many countries have started to implement measles elimination strategies. These are primarily based on attaining a very high coverage of measles vaccination and strengthening measles surveillance systems.peer-reviewe

A study of the management of head lice by paediatricians in Malta

Head lice infestation is a condition found in every country in the world about which it is important to have proper education and awareness. This study aimed to examine the treatment of head lice and the education given to the patient and their parents from the paediatrician’s point of view. A questionnaire consisting of multiple choice questions and a covering letter was sent by post to all the paediatricians that were registered in Malta’s specialist register as of May 2014. Guidelines from the UK and America were used to draw up this questionnaire.peer-reviewe

Topography and flora of the satellite islets surrounding the Maltese Archipelago

This present study provides a list of flora species encountered during multiple visits to the following locations listed below during 1998-2010. The majority of species are new records to the respective locations. Also the distributions of various species found and a general description on topography of each islet is given.peer-reviewe

Maltese children with a hearing impairment : analysis of the current situation and its impact on the quality of life of parents

Understanding the effect that a diagnosis of a childhood hearing loss has on parents would help professionals adopt an approach which diminishes parents’ possible negative feelings and concerns. A sample of parents of children with hearing impairment was interviewed to document demographic data related to hearing loss in Maltese children. The present study also attempted to analyse the effect of hearing loss on the parents’ wellbeing. Parents of 23 children with a hearing loss and parents of eight children without a hearing loss participated in the study. Structured face-to-face interviews were carried out with both groups of parents. A self-devised questionnaire was used with parents of children with hearing impairment to collect information about several factors related to the hearing loss. This included documentation of the different types, degrees and causes of hearing loss as well as the ages of suspicion, diagnosis and amplification of children with a hearing loss. The World Health Organisation Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire (World Health Organisation [WHO], 1998) was then used with both groups of parents to obtain a quality of life profile in four domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment. Slight quality of life differences, which were not statistically significant, were noticed between parents of children with a hearing loss and parents of children without a hearing loss. Quality of life scores were marginally higher for parents whose gap between the day of diagnosis and the interview date was more than 24 months, when compared to parents whose gap was 24 months or less. These findings extend the limited data on the effect of hearing loss on parents’ quality of life in the Maltese context. More intensive support may be indicated for parents of children with hearing impairment, particularly in the initial stages following a diagnosis of a hearing loss. Support would help parents better understand and accept their child’s hearing impairment.peer-reviewe

Additions to the Heteroptera fauna of the Maltese Islands (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Coreidae)

Two new records of species of Hemiptera Coreidae, Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heidemann, 1910) and Gonocerus insidiator (Fabricius, 1787) from the Maltese islands (Central Mediterranean ) are hereby reported.peer-reviewe

Notes on the distribution of Helichrysum Melitense, Hyoseris Frutescens and MatthiolaIncana Melitensis in the Maltese Islands

Considerations are made on the historical distribution of Helichrysum melitense, Hyoseris frutescens and Matthiola incana subsp. melitensis, three floral species endemic to the Maltese Islands, whilst new records for the three species are also reported. A new variety of Matthiola incana subsp. melitensis is also recorded, whilst biogeographical aspects are also discussed for the three species.peer-reviewe

Failure of anaesthetic machine automated self-check to detect massive leak in ventilator bellows

Anaesthetic machines are designed to provide for a safe, non-hypoxic gas mixture delivered to the patient. For this reason, anaesthetic machines provide a number of features to ensure such safety. Still, a number of anaesthetic societies, including the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland [1], the American Society of Anaesthesiologists [2] and the Canadian Society of Anaesthesiologists [3] recommend that anaesthetic machines should be checked prior to each list, and prior to each case.peer-reviewe