Creatinine clearance is calculated from 24 hour urine creatinine excretion. This method of measuring creatinine clearance is cumbersome. Many formulae have been proposed as an alternative method of obtaining predicted creatinine clearance and they have all shown satisfactory results. From our study using 4 formulae, the correlation coefficient using these formulae rangedfrom 0.71 - 0.75. The correlation clearance was even better at > 0.90. We therefore advocate the routine use of these formulae for predicting creatinine clearance by clinicians.
Study site: Nephrology clinic, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia unit at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mass vaccination of all newborns against hepatitis B virus infection has been implemented in Malaysia since January 1989. The significance of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus and the prevention of the disease are discussed. Routine screening of 6443 mothers in the University Hospital showed an overall carrier rate of 1.9%; whilst this was high amongst the Chinese (4.7%), a significant number of Malays were also infected (1.6%). The mechanism of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B and the important role of routine screening of antenatal mothers in eradicating the disease are discussed.
MeSH terms: Hepatitis; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; Infant, Newborn; Infection; Malaysia; Mass Screening; Mothers; Obstetrics; Vaccination
We studied the knowledge, attitude and practice of 27 parents of children with Thalassaemia towards their children's disease. The parents' knowledge was satisfactory. Most of them did not reveal details of the disease to their affected children. Some of them had further children despite being explained the risk of recurrence. Parents found it difficult to obtain regular blood donors and some had to resort to 'buying' blood. The Malaysian Association of Thalassaemia has a role to play in the education of patients, their parents and the public.
A 7 year-old Malay child with lightning burns is reported. Lightning injuries are rare. Victims who are clinically 'dead' may recover normally if resuscitation is carried out for prolonged periods.
MeSH terms: Accident Prevention; Burns; Case Reports; Child; Lightning; Malaysia; Male; Resuscitation; Wounds and Injuries; Lightning Injuries