1.Helminthiasis among Indian Preschoolers from Urban Areas in Penang
Vikneswaran Sabramani ; Halim Ismail ; Asrul Abdul Wahab
International Journal of Public Health Research 2015;5(2):584-591
Helminthiasis is a common parasitic condition particularly among children in rural areas in developing countries where poor hygiene standard is practiced. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of helminthiasis among Indian preschoolers in urban areas in Penang and its associated factors. A total of 194 urban Indian preschoolers aged 4 to 6 years old were selected randomly from 11 kindergartens in the state of Penang for this cross sectional study. Data collection was carried out in 2 phases. First, microscopic stool examinations were done to examine the presence of helminths. Second, self administered questionnaires which inquired about human, environment and socioeconomic factors were completed by the parents/guardians. The overall prevalence of helminthiasis was 7.2% and the most frequently encountered infective agent was Ascaris lumbricoides (57.1%) and followed by the tapeworms (42.86%). The logistic regression indicated that habitual thumb sucking (AOR= 5.6. 95%CI: 1.73-18.39) and families owning domestic pets (AOR= 3.2; 95%CI: 1.03-10.14) were the significant contributing factors to helminthiasis among the Indian pre-schoolers in urban Penang. Although the prevalence of helminth infection among the urban Indian preschoolers is lower than rural area, it is still a public health concern. Children habitual thumb sucking and rearing domestic pets at home were the significant contributing factors in helminthiasis. Prevention strategy should focus on health education and promotion among adults and children, awareness on domestic animal hygiene and maintaining good environmental sanitation. Multi agency collaboration is clearly essential, especially between state health, education and veterinary departments in curbing this disease.
2.A Child with Septic Arthritis of Hip: A Rarely Encountered Cause
A R Abdul Halim ; Y Norhamdan ; R Ramliza
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2011;66(2):154-155
We report a rare case of septic arthritis in a healthy child caused by Salmonella enteritidis. No predisposing factor was detected. Salmonella enteritidis was isolated from the infected joint tissue obtained following surgical drainage. Based on the culture and sensitivity report, he was treated with a 6-week course of antibiotic. He improved dramatically without any detrimental sequelae at end of one year.
3.The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Malaysian Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
MUHAMMAD YUSUF AS ; ABDUL HALIM AG ; SHAMSUL AZHAR S
Medicine and Health 2019;14(2):219-234
Many of our chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients venture into complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to seek a cure for the disease beyond conventional management. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of CAM usage; and its association with the progression of CKD in our population. This was a cross-sectional survey recruited CKD patients from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). Data was collected via interview using questionnaires which explore the demographics, type and pattern of CAM use. Patients’ comorbidities and serum creatinine were extracted from the medical notes to assess the association between progression of CKD and usage of CAM. Chi-square, Independent Samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression were used to evaluate for an association. Three hundred and seventy two eligible patients were recruited. The prevalence of CAM use was 29% in the past year. Younger age, higher education and higher income level were associated with significantly more usage of CAM. Natural products were the commonest type of CAM used (86.1%). The belief in the effectiveness of CAM was the main reason for its uptake and about 57.8% revealed their practice to their physician. We found that the use of CAM in Malaysian CKD patients did not influence the progression of the disease.
4.Damage control resuscitation: A case of thoraco abdominal impalement
Nur Abdul Karim ; Mohd Amin Mohd Mokhtar ; Izzat Ismail ; Abdul Halim S ; Nor Elayni Borhan
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2016;71(2):77-78
Damage Control Resuscitation and Surgery is the concept of
controlled hypotension, haemostatic resuscitation and
abbreviated surgical procedures following severe trauma;
the practice of which has resulted in improved mortality and
morbidity. We describe a rare case of thoraco-abdominal
impalement successfully managed based on the concept of
Damage Control Resuscitation.
Hypotension
5.A case report of severe mycoplasma pneumonia with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(5):600-602
disease and more so in school going children. The spectrumof the manifestations range from haematological,dermatological, neurological, musculoskeletal, renal,cardiac and also gastrointestinal. The treatment approachhas varied over time. In this report we would like to shareour experience in a case of M.pneumonia with autoimmunehaemolytic anaemia (AIHA).
8.A clinicopathologic study of 173 odontogenic tumours in Northern Peninsular Malaysia (2007-2014)
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology 2018;40(2):129-135
Introduction: The objectives of this study were to analyse, compare and contrast the demographic, clinical and pathological data of odontogenic tumours seen at a regional oral pathology centre in the Northern part of Peninsular Malaysia with other international data as an aid to clinicians in diagnosing odontogenic tumours. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, retrospective study of odontogenic tumours diagnosed from January 2007 to December 2014 at this centre. The odontogenic tumours were classified using the 2005 World Health Organization classification system. Results: Among 2,733 biopsy specimens, 173 cases were diagnosed as odontogenic tumours (6.3%), of which 171 (98.8%) are benign and 2 (1.2%) are malignant. The most frequently encountered tumour was ameloblastoma (n=96, 55.5%), followed by keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT) (n=38, 22.0%) and odontomas (n=16, 9.2%). Malignant tumours accounted for 1.2% of the tumours. Most ameloblastomas and KCOTs affected the mandible preferentially. The mean age was 33.5 (± 17.8) years and 64.7% of patients were in the age group of 10 to 39. Odontogenic tumours were slightly more common in males, with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. Conclusion: The findings of this study are similar to the other studies in Asia in which the most common tumour encountered is the ameloblastoma, followed by KCOT. The most common signs and symptoms are pain and swelling, while paraesthesia and root resorption are less frequently reported. Such clinical and radiographic features should alert the clinician of a possible odontogenic tumour and though rare, malignant tumours should also be included in the differential diagnoses.
Odontogenic tumour
9.Non-Operative Treatment Versus Steroid Injections in the Management of Unicameral Bone Cysts
WI Faisham ; AH Nawaz ; AM Ezane ; W Zulmi ; S Ibrahim ; AR Abdul Halim
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal 2011;5(2):11-14
The cases of nine patients with unicameral bone cysts were
reviewed from two orthopaedic centres. In one hospital, five patients received serial steroid injections, and at the other hospital four patients were treated conservatively following fractures. In the steroid injection group, three cases were in
the proximal femur and two in the proximal humerus. The
five steroid injection patients showed radiological evidence of cyst healing within six months of treatment. Subsequently four of the patients showed a satisfactory radiological outcome after a year and complete resolution after 2 years. In the conservative group, all four cases were in the proximal humerus. Persistent cystic lesions were observed in all four patients and two was complicated by another fracture within six months.
10.Two-Stage Surgery for a Large Cervical Dumbbell Tumour in Neurofibromatosis 1: A Case Report
Mohd Ariff S ; Joehaimey J ; Ahmad Sabri O ; Abdul Halim Y
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal 2011;5(3):24-27
Spinal neurofibromas occur sporadically and typically occur
in association with neurofibromatosis 1. Patients afflicted
with neurofibromatosis 1 usually present with involvement
of several nerve roots. This report describes the case of a 14-year-old child with a large intraspinal, but extradural tumour with paraspinal extension, dumbbell neurofibroma of the cervical region extending from the C2 to C4 vertebrae. The lesions were readily detected by MR imaging and were successfully resected in a two-stage surgery. The time interval between the first and second surgery was one month. We provide a brief review of the literature regarding various surgical approaches, emphasising the utility of anterior and posterior approaches.