PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS OF ACHONDROPLASIA IN PRIMARY CARE SETTINGS – RECOGNISING THE SOFT MARKERS: A CASE REPORT Achondroplasia, a genetic disorder causing limb shortening, is the most common form of disproportionate dwarfism. It can be diagnosed prenatally through sonographic findings and postnatally through clinical and radiological findings. Currently, an increasing number of affected foetuses are diagnosed antenatally since prenatal ultrasonography is routinely conducted in primary care settings. Herein, we present the case of a healthy 26-year-old primigravida who received a diagnosis of achondroplasia for her foetus during the late third trimester based on her prenatal ultrasonographic findings. Following birth, the diagnosis was confirmed by the baby’s clinical and radiological findings, which showed shortening of the long bones. This case highlights the importance of recognising the soft markers of achondroplasia during routine third-trimester ultrasonography in primary care settings. Early diagnosis of achondroplasia is important to ensure timely referral to tertiary centres and adequate preparation of parents for the delivery of their baby.

Dumping syndrome after bariatric surgery is common. However, it is rarely seen during pregnancy because patients are usually advised to avoid pregnancy immediately after surgery. This case highlights the importance of avoidance of pregnancy after bariatric surgery. We report a case of unplanned pregnancy in a 35-year-old woman with a history of subfertility for 8 years who conceived spontaneously 3 months after gastric bypass surgery. This occurred because there was no contraception offered to her after the procedure. The pregnancy was complicated with recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia secondary to dumping syndrome. Primary care providers need to be vigilant and have a high index of suspicion for dumping syndrome in pregnant obese women who have undergone bariatric surgery.
Dumping Syndrome ; Hypoglycemia

We report a case of steroid withdrawal syndrome in a 74-year-old woman who was suspected of having an occult exogenous Cushing’s syndrome secondary to prolonged traditional complementary medicine use. She presented with non-specific symptoms of lethargy, malaise, and poor oral intake with weight loss for 1 month, and investigations showed suboptimal 9 AM cortisol level. She has responded well to steroid replacement.

Hemiballismus, a subtype of chorea, is a rare movement disorder, and is most commonly found secondary to stroke. Movements are involuntary, violent, coarse, and have a wide amplitude. There is increasing report of hemiballismus occurring in non-ketotic hyperglycemia. Spontaneous improvements or remissions were observed in many patients, and treatment should be directed towards the cause of hemiballismus. There is no randomized control trial to guide clinicians in deciding the best treatment option when managing hemiballismus. Symptomatic treatment includes the use of drugs such as dopamine receptor blocker and tetrabenazine. Surgical treatment is reserved for severe, persistent, and disabling hemiballismus. This case is of an elderly woman with long standing uncontrolled diabetes who presented with abnormal movement in her left upper limb for 2 months, which resolved slowly with good control of her glucose levels. Treating physicians need to have a high index of suspicion to prevent mismanagement of the condition.
Aged ; Chorea ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Dyskinesias* ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Movement Disorders ; Receptors, Dopamine ; Stroke ; Tetrabenazine ; Upper Extremity

background: blood pressure (bP) control among Malaysian is poor and doctor’s adherence to clinical practice guideline (cPG) has been a well-known factor that may improve it. this study was designed to evaluate patients’ bP control, doctors’ adherence to the latest hypertension cPG and their association. Factors associated with bP control and cPG adherence was also examined. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kuala Muda district’s health clinics. 331 medical records were selected using stratified random sampling and standard proforma was used for data collection. the latest edition of the Malaysian cPG on hypertension was employed to define related variables. results: A total of 160 patients (48.3%) had controlled bP and it was significantly associated with patients’ age (adjusted Odds ratio, aOr= 1.03, 95% cI: 1.004, 1.05, p= 0.016) and systolic bP at presentation (aOr= 0.95, 95% cI: 0.93, 0.96, p< 0.001). About 60.7% of the medical records showed doctor’s good level of cPG adherence. this adherence has significant association with presence of chronic kidney disease (aOr= 0.51, 95% cI: 0.31, 0.85, p= 0.007) and cardiovascular disease (aOr= 2.68, 95% cI: 1.04, 6.95, p= 0.030) in the patients and physicians’ treatment intensification (aOr= 2.00, 95% cI: 1.26, 3.19, p= 0.009). However, no association was found between bP control and cPG adherence. conclusion: Hypertension control in this study was poor and the prevalence of physicians with good level of cPG adherence was slightly above average. these findings are important for relevant stakeholders to strategise an action plan to improve hypertension management outcome.