The Ceylon medical journal
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We conducted a cross sectional descriptive study to describe the factors associated with the degree of malnutrition among hospitalised malnourished children in General Hospital, Vavuniya. All hospitalised children from January to June 2012 (n=1210) were screened and the nutritional status assessed using WHO growth standards for weight for height/length. A total of 179 children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) (14.8%) and 105 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) (8.7%) were detected during this period. ⋯ Prevalence of anaemia among 284 malnourished children was mild 32.4% (n=92), moderate 22.2% (n=63) and severe 0.7% (n=2). Anaemia was highest among infants and prevalence decreased with increasing age. Social determinants played an important role in degree of malnutrition and anaemia among malnourished children admitted to the General Hospital, Vavuniya.
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Late onset fetal growth restriction is often missed and is responsible for most intrauterine deaths. Ultrasound fetal biometry is routinely used to calculate estimated fetal weight (EFW). The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of established ultrasound EFW formulae to identify small and large for gestational age fetuses when used after 35 weeks gestation. ⋯ This study found that all routinely used EFW formulae would either over or under estimate the fetal weight. Until an optimum EFW formula that suits the Sri Lankan population is determined, interpretation of ultrasound EFW should be done cautiously, especially in small for gestational age babies.
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To examine the validity of selected entry level characteristics in relation to the GCE A/L examination as independent predictors of performance of students in medical school. ⋯ Students who gain admission on their 3rd attempt at the AL examination fare much worse than those admitted to medical school on their 1st attempt. Differences between sexes in examination performance are probably linked to both A/L attempt and English language proficiency.