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Biomedical subjects

Renu Saxena

Publications and source records attributed to Renu Saxena.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Congenital vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor deficiency: a case report.

Congenital vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor deficiency is a very rare bleeding disorder, which usually presents with episodes of intracerebral bleed in the first few weeks of life, sometimes leading to a fatal outcome. We report a case of combined factor deficiency of vitamin K-dependent factors in which the patient presented with both intracerebral bleeding, and possibly also thrombosis, and responded to a vitamin K supplement along with fresh frozen plasma.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗

Beta2 glycoprotein 1 in Indian patients with SLE.

Forty-five patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were investigated to evaluate the role of antiphospholipid antibodies in causation of thrombosis in Indians. The antiphospholipid antibodies studied included lupus anticoagulant (LAC), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), and anti-beta(2)-glycoprotein 1 (a beta(2)-GP1). Twenty-seven patients (60%) had clinical manifestations of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Nineteen patients (42.2%) had a history of thrombosis, and eight (17.7%) had a history of recurrent fetal loss. aBeta(2)-GP1 was (IgG) was positive in 23 (51.1%), aCL in 13 (28.8%), and LAC in four (8.8%). Of 19 patients with thrombosis, 14 (73.6%) were positive for abeta(2)-GP1, eight (42.1%) for aCL, and none of them was positive for LAC. Of the eight patients with recurrent fetal loss, two (25%) patients were positive for beta(2)-GP1, five (62.5%) for aCL, and one (12.5%) for LAC. Of 18 patients without any manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), seven patients (38.8%) were positive for abeta(2)-GP1, and three (16.6%) for aCL and LAC each. It is concluded that presence of abeta(2)-GP1 increases the risk of thrombosis and therefore should be looked for in all cases of SLE to consider prophylactic antithrombotic therapy in these patients.

Adolescent↗

Spectrum of inherited bleeding disorders in Indians.

The incidence of hereditary hemorrhagic disorders may vary according to the country and ethnic origin. Von Willebrand disease has emerged as the most common hereditary hemorrhagic disease in the industrialized world. In this series of 966 patients diagnosed to have inherited bleeding disorders, hemophilia A was the most common and was seen in 410 (42.4%) of the patients followed by platelet function defects seen in 380 (39.4%) of the patients. It is thus concluded that, similar to the white population, hemophilia A remains the most common bleeding disorder in the Indian population, although this is closely followed by platelet function defects in India, which are quite rare in whites. Von Willebrand disease is relatively rare in the Indian population.

Blood Coagulation Disorders↗

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy with molecular characterization in two Indian families.

PURPOSE: Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) presents in early adulthood with painless progressive blindness of one or both eyes. Usually there is a positive family history of similar disease on the maternal side. Definitive diagnosis can be established by finding the change in the mitochondrial gene. No molecular studies have been reported from India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical, ophthalmologic and molecular studies were carried out in two patients from different families and available first degree relatives. The subjects were tested for the three common mutations seen in LHON by molecular techniques of polymerase chain reaction using mutation specific primers. RESULTS: The mutations G3460A and G11778A in the mitochondrial genes MTND1 and MTND4, known to be causative for LHON, were found in one family each. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of LHON should be considered in familial cases and in young adults with optic atrophy. Confirmation of diagnosis should be sought by molecular gene analysis. Genetic counselling should be offered to all 'at risk' relatives of a patient harbouring the mutation.

Adolescent↗

Identification of 32 novel mutations in the factor VIII gene in Indian patients with hemophilia A.

Seventy-five unrelated hemophilia A patients from India were analyzed for factor VIII gene defects. Intron 22 inversion was identified in 22 patients and intron 1 inversion in 2 patients. In the remaining 51 patients without inversions screening the FVIII gene by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) revealed 42 different mutations in 44 unrelated subjects. These included 14 missense, 7 nonsense, 9 splice site, 8 deletional, 3 insertional mutations and one indel mutation. Of these, 32 were novel gene alterations. The hotspots included intron 22 inversion, CpG and adenine runs.

Binding Sites↗

Prenatal diagnosis of phenylketonuria.

We report prenatal diagnosis of phenylketonuria by linkage analysis of the markers linked to the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. Three markers comprising STR (TCTAT)n in intron 3, VNTR (30bp long cassette) in the 3' UTR and Xmn1 RFLP were ascertained in the affected child, the parents and the chorionic villi sample. The foetus was confirmed to be heterozygous for the mutant allele. The diagnosis that the foetus was unaffected was confirmed by biochemical tests in the newborn.

Electrophoresis, Agar Gel↗

Gel card in the diagnosis of autoimmune haemolytic anemia.

The diagnosis of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) requires the establishment of haemolysis and demonstration of autoantibodies against red cells. Most laboratories use the conventional Coomb's test for the demonstration of the autoantibodies. However, in approximately 2-6% of the patients who present with the clinical and haematological features of AIHA, the direct agglutination test is negative on repeated testing. Attempts are therefore being made to identify a test which could be more sensitive than the conventional test, yet retaining the simplicity and cost effectiveness of the test. In the present study, the efficacy of the newly developed gel card test has been compared with the conventional Coomb's test for detection of autoantibodies in 50 cases clinically suspected to have haemolytic anemia. The gel card picked up the antibodies in all the cases detected to be positive by the conventional test. In addition, the gel card also picked up 5 tests which were negative by the conventional method. The sensitivity and specificity of the gel card Direct Coomb's test (DCT) as compared to the conventional tube test for DCT was found to be 100% and 95.1% respectively. The Indirect Coomb's test (ICT) was 100% sensitive and 92.5% specific. In view of the high sensitivity and specificity and the simplicity of the procedure, this test may be effectively used for diagnosis of AIHA.

Adolescent↗

Inherited heterogenous defect in platelet aggregation selectively with ADP and epinephrine--a series of 25 cases.

Inherited heterogeneous defects of platelet function caused by impairment of platelet responses to weak agonists as ADP, epinephrine and others as low concentration collagen and platelet activating factor (PAF) have been described, though quite rarely. We describe here 25 cases of this defect with impairment in response to ADP and epinephrine. Subjects with a history of generalized bleeding and a prolonged bleeding time, PF3 availability or prothrombin consumption index and a normal platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and clot solubility were subjected to platelet aggregation. Those of these which showed a normal aggregation with collagen and arachidonic acid and an absent or reduced aggregation with ADP and epinephrine were included in our study group. Subjects with history or findings suggestive of antiplatelet drug intake or any acquired condition affecting platelet functions were excluded from this study. 76% of the patients had onset of recurrent bleeding manifestations since childhood with a mean age at onset of 9.2 years. A positive family history was present in 36% of the patients. Majority of the patients (88%) presented with mild bleeding manifestations, the commonest symptom being appearance of recurrent ecchymotic spots. We present here a series of patients with a hereditary platelet aggregation defect selectively with ADP and epinephrine.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Prevalence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies amongst pregnant women in a rural area of Haryana.

UNLABELLED: Deficiencies of micronutrients (zinc, iron, folic acid and iodine) during pregnancy are known causes of Low Birth Weight (LBW). Studies have documented status of one or two micronutrients amongst pregnant women (PW). However, no attempt has been made to concurrently assess the prevalence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies and the factors associated with them amongst PW. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies amongst PW in a rural area. METHODS: A community based cross sectional survey was conducted in six villages of a rural area of district Faridabad in Haryana state, India during November 2000 and October 2001. All PW aged 18 years or more, with pregnancy duration of more than 28 weeks were enrolled. Data were collected on socio-economic status and other demographic parameters. Serum zinc, copper and magnesium levels were estimated by utilizing the Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS); serum ferritin and folate was estimated by Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) method and the Radio-Immuno Assay (RIA) method, respectively and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was estimated by the Abbot AxSYM System. Serum zinc, copper, magnesium, ferritin, and folate levels less than 70.0 microg/dl, 80.0 microg/dl, 1.80 mg/dl, 15 ng/ml, and 3 ng/ml, respectively were considered as indicative of deficiency for respective micronutrients. The TSH levels of 4.670 and more indicated iodine deficiency status. Dietary intake of micronutrients was assessed utilizing 1-day 24-hour dietary recall methodology. Food consumption pattern was assessed utilizing the food frequency questionnaire methodology. RESULTS: Nearly 73.5, 2.7, 43.6, 73.4, 26.3, and 6.4 percent PW were deficient in zinc, copper, magnesium, iron, folic acid and iodine, respectively. The highest concurrent prevalence of two, three, four and five micronutrient deficiency was of zinc and iron (54.9%); zinc, magnesium and iron (25.6%); zinc, magnesium, iron and folic acid (9.3%) and zinc, magnesium, iron, folic acid and iodine (0.8%), respectively. No pregnant woman was found to have concomitant deficiencies of all the six micronutrients. Dietary intake data revealed an inadequate nutrient intake. Over 19% PW were consuming less than 50% of the recommended calories. Similarly, 99, 86.2, 75.4, 23.6, 3.9 percent of the PW were consuming less than 50% of the recommended folic acid, zinc, iron, copper, and magnesium. The consumption of food groups rich in micronutrients (pulses, vegetables, fruits, nuts and oil seeds, animal foods) was infrequent. Univariate and Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that low dietary intake of nutrients, low frequency of consumption of food groups rich in micronutrients and increased reproductive cycles with short interpregnancy intervals were important factors leading to micronutrient deficiencies. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies amongst the PW of the area, possibly due to the poor dietary intake of food and low frequency of consumption of food groups rich in micronutrients. The concurrent prevalence of two, three, four and five micronutrient deficiencies were common.

Adolescent↗

Daily versus intermittent iron supplementation in pregnant women: hematological and pregnancy outcome.

AIM: To compare the hematological parameters and pregnancy outcome in women receiving daily versus weekly iron supplements during pregnancy. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, during which 111 women were randomized to receive either 100 mg elemental iron daily (n=55) or 200 mg elemental iron weekly (n=56). Hemogram and serum ferritin level estimation were carried out at the beginning of pregnancy and within the 32-34-week period of gestation. Side-effects, compliance and the number of tablets consumed were noted for each group. The mean birth weight, period of gestation at delivery and mode of delivery were also compared between the two intervention groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean hemoglobin levels between the two intervention groups at the end of an average 17 weeks of iron supplementation. However, among anemic women who received daily supplementation, there was a greater rise in hemoglobin compared with those receiving supplementation weekly. The serum ferritin level was lower in the weekly supplemented group compared with that in the daily. There was no difference in the mean birth weight, period of gestation and mode of delivery between the two groups. Side-effects and non-compliance were significantly higher (P<0.001) in the daily supplemented group. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly iron supplementation is an effective option for prophylaxis in non-anemic pregnant women, but has less than optimal benefit in anemic women.

Adult↗

Laboratory diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in Asian Indians as investigated with functional and immunologic methods.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) was looked for in 33 Indian patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery who received unfractionated heparin (UFH). Platelet counts were performed before the initiation of UFH therapy and 5 to 16 days after administration of the therapy. A decrease in patients' platelet count > 35% of the baseline value or < 100,000/microL was considered to be suggestive of HIT syndrome. Heparin-induced platelet aggregation (HIPA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests were performed in all the patients to detect antibodies against heparin/PF4 complex. Thrombocytopenia was found to be present in 10 (30%) patients. Of these, two patients were found to be positive as detected by HIPA and ELISA tests. These two patients were considered to have classic HIT syndrome. One of these had bleeding while the other was asymptomatic. Among the 23 non-thrombocytopenic patients and controls, HIT antibodies were not detectable by HIPA test in all but absent by ELISA in only 21 of them. Two of 23 non-thrombocytopenic patients had positive results on the ELISA test. Because the latter had negative test results on HIPA, they were considered to be false-positive results. Thus, HIT syndrome develops in approximately 6% of Indian patients treated with UFH.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

Inherited prothrombotic defects in Budd-Chiari syndrome and portal vein thrombosis: a study from North India.

We studied 57 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and 48 with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) for underlying inherited prothrombotic defects such as protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III deficiencies. Genetic mutations for factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene 20210A, and methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T were studied in 29 patients in each group. Inherited prothrombotic defects were detected in 16 (28%) of 57 patients with BCS and 7 (15%) of 48 patients with PVT. Factor V Leiden mutation was the most common prothrombotic defect in BCS (5/29 [17%]) followed by protein C deficiency (7/57 [12%]) and protein S deficiency (4/57 [7%]), whereas in PVT, protein C deficiency was the most common inherited prothrombotic defect (4/48 [8%]) followed by protein S deficiency (2/48 [4%]). The factor V Leiden mutation was detected in only 1 (3%) of 29 cases of PVT. The heterozygous MTHFR C677T mutation was detected in 7 (24%) of 29 patients with BCS and 6 (21%) of 29 patients with PVT. Antithrombin III deficiency, homozygous MTHFR C677T mutation, and prothrombin G20210A mutation were not detected in any patients.

Adolescent↗

Erythroleukemia: a clinco-hematological review of four cases.

Erythroleukemia is an uncommon disorder in children. Four cases of pediatric erythroleukemia, diagnosed over a period of nine years are presented. The patients presented with pallor, fever and hepatosplenomegaly of recent onset. Peripheral smear examination showed anemia, thrombocytopenia and circulating blasts. The bone marrow displayed erythroid hyperplasia with dysplasia and PAS positive erythroblasts. Myeloid blasts were myeloperoxidase positive and one case showed positivity for non specific esterase, indicating monocytoid differentiation, a poor prognostic feature. Prognosis was poor and follow up period was short.

Child↗

Status of serum ferritin and folate levels amongst young women in a rural community of Haryana, India.

A community based cross sectional study was conducted amongst young married non-pregnant women aged 18 years or more from six randomly selected villages in Ballabhgarh block, district Faridabad, Haryana state. Data was collected on socio-demographic profile and obstetric parameters utilizing a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. The non-pregnancy status of the women was confirmed by inquiring about the last menstrual period. Serum ferritin and folate levels were assessed utilizing the ELISA and the RIA method, respectively Serum ferritin and folate levels less than 15.0 and 3 ng/ml were considered as indicator of poor iron and folic acid stores, respectively. The dietary intake of iron, folic acid and calories was assessed utilizing the 24-hour dietary recall methodology. Almost 63.8 and 27.7 % of the women had poor serum ferritin and folate levels. The mean dietary intake of iron, folic acid and calories was 14.8+/-7.7 mg, 49.2+/-20.1 microg, and 1564+/-411 kcal, respectively. There was an inadequate intake of food as revealed by their calorie intake that was 83.4% of the recommended dietary allowances. Only 6.9 and 7.8 % of the women were consuming iron and folic acid more than 75.0 % of the recommeded dietary allowances (RDA) Women with dietary intake of calories less than 50.0 % of the RDA had a lower serum ferritin level compared to the women who had a higher calorie intake. It was also revealed that there was a decreasing trend in serum folate levels with poor socio-economic status. Young rural women had poor serum ferritin and folate levels in the community studied, possibly due to poor dietary intake of food and thereby iron and folic acid. Distribution of iron and folic acid tablets may be recommended to young women of reproductive age group.

Adolescent↗