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Umbilical Cord cutting length for Newborn baby

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  Previously , in newborn babies, a long segment (5-10 cm) was kept with an assumption of requirement for Umbilical venous catheter (UVC) insertion if needed. After many studies, following explanations are found to avoid long segment of Umbilical cord: Long segment cord > can reach the baby's genitalia > easily get soiled by urine & stool > high chance of umbilical sepsis and infection. UVC catheter is rarely used now as IV cannula is a suitable alternative . UVC catheterisation should be avoided as it can cause portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension later life.   Now, The length of the umbilical cord from the baby's abdomen should be 2-3 cm (approx 1 inch). Few More points on Cord cutting:  Timing: WHO recommends delayed cord clamping (by 1 min) unless any other reason.  Milking: Milking before cutting improves neonatal health outcomes in many ways. Checking: Check the cord stump to note for the number of  umbilical arteries a...

Difference between Hirschprung disease and functional constipation

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Both HD and FC are causes of constipation in children, HD being less common (incidence 1 in 5000). However, it is important to differentiate between the two as the management strategies are different for each of them.  Hirschsprung disease Functional constipation Passage of meconium Delayed Normal (within 48 hour) Onset of symptoms < 1 year age > 1 year age Stool withholding  no May be present Encopresis no May be present Abdominal distension May be present Usually not associated Failure to thrive Commonly present in delayed presentation Usually not a feature Enterocolitis As a complication of HD Not seen Digital rectal examination Tight grip of finger, empty rectum  & Gush of explosive offensive stool as finger is taken out Stool in rectum Barium enema:  Rectosigmoid ratio (R:S) < 1 > 1 Transitional zone present no RAIR (rectoanal inhibitory reflex) absent Present normally Rectal biopsy Ganglion cells absent present Nerve bundles hypertrophied normal...

How to read about a disease ? a basic structured format to remember

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  HOW TO READ ABOUT A DISEASE A medical student is very accustomed to reading about any medical condition (disease or disorder or syndrome) and after years of practice, they can read and understand about it in a faster way and also can retain that information in their memory easily as they try to gather it in a basic structured format.  It is very common now-a-days for a non-medical person (also called general people) to read about certain medical conditions especially when he/she or any of their family members is diagnosed with any disease and their curiosity arises for the same. If someone can remember a basic structured format, then it becomes much easier to retain the information under each category.  Basic structured format  (when reading or thinking about a medical condition)   Other names of the condition Definition   or introduction  or category of the condition Epidemiology Age group Gender predilection Geographical distribution Import...