Abstract: Introduction: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor of the minor salivary glands. Despite its benign nature, its potential for recurrence and malignant transformation makes it clinically significant. This study aims to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of pleomorphic adenomas of the minor salivary glands and to compare the findings with those reported in the literature. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted over a two-year period (March 2023 to March 2024), involving three patients diagnosed with pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary glands. Clinical features, diagnostic imaging, treatment approaches, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Results: The study included three patients (1 male, 2 females) with a mean age of 22.7 years. Tumor locations included the hard palate, lower lip, and inner cheek. The average time to diagnosis ranged from 1 to 6 months. In all cases, the clinical presentation was a painless swelling. Diagnostic imaging included soft tissue ultrasound and CT scan. Surgical excision was performed under local anesthesia using a monobloc technique. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of benign pleomorphic adenoma in all cases. One recurrence was observed after 18 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most frequent histological subtype of benign minor salivary glands tumors and typically exhibits slow progression. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any painless, submucosal lesion in the oral cavity. Complete surgical excision with a 5 mm margin of healthy tissue remains the treatment of choice. Due to the risks of recurrence and malignant transformation, long-term follow-up is essential.

Background: Preterm labor remains a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Identifying predictive biomarkers such as maternal serum ferritin may enable early detection and improve perinatal outcomes. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, from June 2022 to May 2023. A total of 88 pregnant women were enrolled, including 44 cases with preterm labor and 44 controls with term labor, selected through purposive sampling. Sociodemographic and biochemical parameters were recorded, and serum ferritin levels were compared between the groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Results: The majority of participants in both groups were aged between 18 and 26 years. The mean age was slightly higher in the preterm group (25.59 ± 5.80 years) compared to the term group (24.56 ± 5.41 years), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.331). Serum ferritin levels were significantly elevated in the preterm group (89.09 ± 106.07 ng/mL) compared to the term group (32.13 ± 31.40 ng/mL), with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.004). Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative association between serum ferritin levels and gestational age (r = –0.313, p < 0.05), with an R² value of 0.139, indicating a modest inverse relationship. Conclusion: Higher maternal serum ferritin levels are significantly associated with preterm labor and inversely correlated with gestational age. Serum ferritin may serve as a useful biomarker for predicting preterm birth risk, supporting its inclusion in routine antenatal screening protocols.

Background: Thalassaemias are inherited disorders of hemoglobin synthesis, with β-thalassaemia being the most prevalent and clinically significant. In Bangladesh, the burden is high, with over 7000 affected births annually and notable carrier rates of both β-thalassaemia and Hb E, especially among tribal populations. The disease arises from β-globin gene mutations, leading to imbalanced globin chain production and severe anemia. Regular transfusions are essential but pose risks, including iron overload and transfusion-transmitted infections like hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV affects over 60% of transfusion-dependent patients, significantly increasing morbidity and mortality, yet long-term survival data and treatment outcomes remain inadequately explored. Aim of the study: This study aims to compare the hematological and biochemical parameters of HCV-infected and non-infected multi-transfused thalassaemic patients. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted over seven months (February–August 2015) at the Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Bangladesh. Sixty β-thalassemia major patients aged 4–18 years receiving regular transfusions were enrolled, including 11 anti-HCV seropositive and 49 seronegative cases. Participants were recruited from the thalassemia clinic and transfusion unit. Data were collected through interviews, clinical exams, and structured checklists. Laboratory investigations included ELISA for anti-HCV, hematological and biochemical analyses, and hepatic ultrasonography. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v16.0 with Chi-square and Student’s t-tests; p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: HCV-positive patients had a significantly higher mean age (11.6±3.8 vs. 9.3±4.6 years; p=0.032) and body weight (24.6±8.8 vs. 15.8±5.5 kg; p=0.001) than HCV-negative patients. Jaundice (p=0.043), abdominal pain (p=0.008), hepatomegaly (p=0.011), and splenomegaly (p=0.035) were significantly more prevalent in the HCV-positive group. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly sizes were also larger. No significant differences were found in sex, socioeconomic status, hemoglobin, HBsAg status, or most hematological and biochemical markers. However, serum bilirubin was significantly elevated in HCV-positive patients (2.2±0.5 vs. 1.5±1.1 mg/dL; p=0.044), indicating greater hepatic involvement. These findings suggest a higher disease burden among HCV-infected individuals. Conclusion: HCV infection in multi-transfused thalassaemic patients is linked to greater liver involvement, including jaundice, hepatomegaly, and elevated bilirubin. Older age suggests cumulative transfusion risk. Despite similar hemoglobin levels, liver disease burden is higher in HCV-positive individuals, highlighting the need for early screening, safer transfusions, and targeted liver monitoring.

No abstract

Background: The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) protects children from vaccine-preventable diseases, thus averting childhood death and disease. After Bangladesh implemented the Expanded Program on Immunization in 1979, they made advancements in vaccine delivery, yet urban centers, specifically Dhaka, face ongoing obstacles due to health service disparities based on social inequality. Strategies for disease prevention require a clear comprehension of how gender interacts with vaccination procedures. Objective: To identify trends and gender patterns of EPI vaccination among children in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and examine the distribution of vaccination services across different healthcare facilities. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 5,088 children aged 0-23 months (51% aged 0-11 months; 49% aged 12-23 months) who received EPI vaccines in Dhaka. Vaccination records for six vaccines (BCG, Pentavalent, PCV, OPV, IPV, and MR) were examined to identify monthly patterns by gender and service delivery distribution. Results: Analysis revealed varying gender patterns across different vaccines and doses. BCG vaccination showed slight male predominance (53.4% vs. 46.6%), with monthly fluctuations. Multi-dose vaccines displayed complex patterns: males generally had higher coverage for initial doses, but gender gaps narrowed for subsequent doses. Notably, MR vaccination showed female predominance in several months. Local government facilities provided the majority (65-80%) of vaccinations compared to public hospitals. Conclusion: Gender disparities in EPI vaccination exist but vary by vaccine type, dose, and month. Decentralized healthcare delivery systems require strengthened facilities because of their significant contribution to healthcare provision. Wider availability of gender-specific vaccination services and better community outreach strategies, alongside research about urban vaccination characteristics, should be implemented to battle immunization inequality in urban Bangladesh.

Despite initiatives by the WHO and the International AIDS Control Program, including free HIV screenings and antiretroviral therapy (ART), many adolescents and young adults struggle with treatment compliance. This study aimed to assess ART compliance among HIV-positive adolescents and young adults and evaluate their sense of well-being at the Buea Regional Hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to August 31, 2022, using a convenient sampling technique to enroll 150 consenting participants. A structured questionnaire gathered data on demographics and ART compliance. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 and Excel 2013, with a significance level set at 0.05. Results indicated an overall compliance rate of 68.7%. Notably, participants reported that feeling depressed was significantly linked to both adherence to and discontinuation of medication (p=0.016 and p=0.010, respectively). The most common emotional struggle was a lack of interest in daily tasks, affecting 16.4% of respondents. Despite these challenges, 76.0% of participants reported a positive sense of well-being, indicating minimal distress in the preceding two weeks. In conclusion, HIV remains a prevalent chronic viral infection among adolescents and young adults. Understanding the factors influencing compliance with ART at the Buea Regional Hospital is critical for enhancing treatment outcomes and improving the overall well-being of this demographic. Addressing mental health and emotional support may be vital in improving adherence rates.

Background: Nutritional anemia is the most common type of anemia worldwide, and it can be caused by iron, folic acid and vitamin C deficiencies. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the dietary intake pattern and anemic status of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a mission Hospital in Benin City. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used for this study among 381 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a mission hospital in Benin City selected using a systematic sampling technique. A pre-tested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics and dietary pattern of the respondents. Anemia was assessed using pack cell volume (haematocrit). Data was analyzed using IBSM SPSS version 20.0 and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results: One hundred and forty seven (38.6%) of the respondents had medium dietary diversity, while 234 (61.4%) of them had high dietary diversity score. No case of low dietary diversity score was reported. The food groups most frequently consumed were oils [347(91.1%)] and cereals [245(64.3%)] while the least frequently consumed food groups were organ meat [20(5.2%)], vitamin A rich fruits [128(33.6%)], egg [103(27.0%)], legumes [102(26.8%)] and dark green leafy vegetables [51(13.4%)]. One hundred and twenty (33.9%) respondents were anemic. There was no statistical association between dietary diversity score and anemic status (p= 1.000). Conclusion: The study revealed the need to strengthen interventions focusing on improving the consumption of micronutrient rich food during pregnancy.