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Hope for kids with facial deformities
Chandigarh, November 6 “Craniofacial area includes the base of the skull, the facial skeleton and underlying soft tissues, the skull vaults and the scalp. The surgery involves repairing the damages caused by serious injuries, congenital deformities and abnormal growths such as tumors,” says Dr A. K. Mahapatra, one of the 10 craniofacial neurosurgeons in India. He was here recently to attend the 18th annual conference of the Indian Society for Paediatric Neurosurgery hosted by the PGI. Earlier with AIIMS, Dr Mahapatra moved on to take over as the director of the prestigious Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow, where he plans to set up a separate unit to handle craniofacial deformities that are known to spoil children’s lives. “We do not yet have epidemiological studies to determine the incidence of craniofacial deformities in India though we desperately need some. Whatever
we know is from hospital data. “And it shows a rise in the numbers of such deformities,” says Dr Mahapatra, detailing the types of craniofacial complications. “They can be congenital or traumatic or even tumour like. But we have the expertise to manage many such complications,” he adds. Among the deformities that craniofacial surgery can correct is clefts of the lip and palate. “In these conditions, all parts of the lip and roof of the mouth are present, but they have failed to fuse in a normal fashion. Clefts can appear with varying severity. A child can have a cleft lip, which can be incomplete with a fractional notching of the lip, or complete, extending through the lip and into the nose. We can manage this complication,” says Dr Mahapatra. Other complications he has dealt with include ear deformities in which the outer ear may be underdeveloped, misshaped or completely absent. Premature fusing of the bones of head in young children is another challenge for a craniofacial surgeon. As Mahapatra explains, “In normal infant skull, cracks can appear in between bones of the head to allow for brain growth. When one of these sutures closes prematurely, the brain continues to grow, but pushes out towards the area of the skull where the cracks are still open. This causes severe malformation of the skull and face. This condition is becoming common,” he adds, urging parents to seek neurosurgical help. But help is not easily available, adds the expert, who have long been stressing the need for a separate centre for craniofacial surgery in India. “It is a huge problem with disastrous consequences for a child. We need to do
something. I get so many queries from parents with children suffering facial asymmetries. In such children, one side of the face is smaller than the other due to underdevelopment of bone and cartilage. “The situation spurs ugliness in a child and damages his self-confidence. But we want to tell people that we are there to help,” says Dr Mahapatra. Even, the PGI at Chandigarh, offers significant expertise in this
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‘Celiac disease most common cause of short stature’
Chandigarh, November 6 The patient suffering from celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten, found in wheat and barley. When a person affected by celiac disease consumes eatables containing gluten, the immune system responds by damaging the small intestine and leads to problem in the absorption of nutrients like folic acid or amino acids from food into the bloodstream. As a result, the patient becomes malnourished, regardless of the quality and quantity of food. A study conducted by a team of the PGI consisting of Dr R.K.Kochhar, Dr Sanjay Bhadada and Dr Anil Bhansali has come across the fact that the celiac disease is the most common cause of short stature in the region, as among 176 patients with short stature reaching the endocrinology department of the PGI during the past two years, 27 were suffering from the disease. Though no data on the disease from other parts of the country is available, the disease is being increasingly reported from India, while reports from the rest of the South and South-East Asia are sparse, said Dr Bhansali. Most reports from India are from north Indian states of Punjab, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, which are predominantly wheat-eaters. In additon to short stature, the disease results in unexplained weight loss, anaemia, bone pain, delayed puberty and thyroidism, said the endocrinologist. The genetic disease can occur at any age group and can be found in first-degree relatives of the patient also, added the doctor. The treatment of the disease includes gluten-free diet, calcium, vitamin D3 and multivitamin supplements. |
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PGI gears up to treat eye injuries on Diwali
Chandigarh, November 6 The doctors at the Advanced Eye Centre will remain on special emergency duty round the clock on November 8 till the morning of November 11 to attend to the patients on arrival. The general public is advised to bring all eye emergencies to the Advanced Eye Centre, PGI, Chandigarh. |
Mohali ODI
Chandigarh, November 6 Security agencies took umbrage at how media reports had emerged quoting PCA bosses saying they were planning to bring Pakistani visitors by road from the Attari-Wagah border under security cover, however, the travel plans had now been changed and the Pakistani visitors will now be flying to Delhi and travel onwards to Mohali for the match. Sources in the intelligence set-up said by this evening the matter had been “sorted out” and the security concerns had been explained to the PCA. PCA and Punjab Police officials also exchanged words over security concerns. With emergency having been imposed in Pakistan and the situation being tense in India after a series of bomb blasts, the travel plans were being kept a secret. Officially, till now it has been conveyed that the Pakistani visitors - numbering about 150 - will be brought to Mohali on board special buses from the Attari-Wagah border and dropped back there at a scheduled time. Unlike last time in March, 2006, when the visitors from across the border were allowed to make their own travel plans from Wagah to Mohali, this time there will be no such free run. Last time a dozen Pakistanis had stayed back. Also this time there will be no permission to be given to house the visitors in the homes of local hosts. They will be staying in hotels. |
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PCA case put off until November 22
Mohali, November 6 When contacted, Khaira did not even know that she was to hear the case. “Future dates have been given in all the cases listed for today,” she said. The Punjab State Sports Council
(PSSC) had initiated legal proceedings against the PCA last year under The Punjab Public Premises and Land (Eviction And Rent Recovery) Act, 1973 to seek possession of 15.35 acres allegedly belonging to it. It was alleged that the lease agreement signed between the PSSC and PCA office-bearers was in complete violation of the laws. Thus, the land was transferred to the
PCA, flouting all rules and regulations. |
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Tiger Jeet to set up wrestling academies
Chandigarh, November 6 Talking to The Tribune, this Canada based freestyle wrestler of yesteryears shared his objective of visiting the country. “My talks are on with the state government and on my next visit here, after few weeks, I hope, we would be able to announce something for Punjab,” he said. “Now that I have money and fame, I intend to repay my native village and nation,” he added. Hailing from Hoshiarpur, he had left India for Canada way back in 1971 with just $ 6 in his pocket. “When my first son was born, I did not even have the money to pay the hospital bill. That initiated me on the path of hard work and I drifted into professional wrestling”, Tiger Jeet revealed. Jeet, who is 6’-4”inches tall, and weighs 243 pounds, has to his credit a number of titles in his name such as the Asian Super Heavyweight, the Universal Wrestling Association Heavyweight and the World Martial Wrestling Championship. He was in City along with his son, Tiger Ali Singh, also a wrestler on the WWF Circuit. This Canada-based duo has chalked out a comprehensive plan to create awareness among the Indian youth about the menace of drugs. “It is necessary to keep children away from drugs and I have plans to open wrestling clubs in the country because with healthy body and healthy mind, sky is the limit,” Jeet said. Ali was of the view that India is a land of opportunity. “The only need is to revamp the system, otherwise, there is no dearth of talent here, be it any sport,” Ali opined. He said they have chalked out comprehensive plans to bring back Indian wrestling’s lost glory. Born in Canada, Ali, a free style wrestler, defeated most notably, Salvatore Sincere and Leif Cassidy to win Kuwait Cup Tournament in 1997. He is 6’-5”, and weighs more than 250 pounds. Jeet is loved and worshipped in Japan. So much so, that the caps, t-shirts, wine and other memorabilia is sold very expensively in Japan. “The latest is a doll in my name which is sold for $ 100,” he said. |
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North Zone Horse Show
Chandigarh, November 6 Sipahi Santosh on Michael got the third place while Darshan Singh riding on Gypsey bagged fourth position in the same event. Randeep Hooda was also present. He would be taking part in some of the events tomorrow. In the EFI category ‘A’ event, Captain Amit Sinsinwar riding on Gazal came first, Gulaab Singh on Ajay came second, head constable Radhe Shyam on Baadshah got the third place while Sukhjinder Singh riding on Dynamite came fourth. In the preliminary jumping normal, Ajit Singh riding on Monarch came first, Havaldar Rajiv on Millennium came second, Col R.S. Yadav riding on Tulip got the third place while Yoginder on Mylord came fourth. In the preliminary jumping fault and out, Col Yadav riding on Tulip bagged the first position, Joginder riding on Mylord came second, Ajit Singh on Monarch got the third place while Havaldar Rajiv riding on Millennium bagged the fourth position.
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Billiards
Chandigarh, November 6 Amit Verma outplayed Arun Sharma in straightest 3-0 (68-14, 72-11 and 84-10). In another match, Rupinder Singh beat Pramod Kumar 3-1 (56-36, 14-59, 52-44 and 41-24). In the last match, Pramod Kumar lost its match against Rupinder Singh by 3-1. Arif Akhtar of the Indian Oil sailed into the next round of the Sr Billiards. He defeated his opponent with a huge margin. In another matches, Manav Dhavan won against Satnam Singh (197-184). In next match, Gagandeep beat Mandeep with 259-201 and reached into the next round and Rajat Khaneja defeated Amit Verma 289-225.
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Panchkula, November 6 The girls’ under-19 team won the first position and the under-16 team won the third position. The under-14 team was adjudged second runners up. The members of the team were: Pallavi, Jyoti Rawat, Jyoti Nashier, Shahin Khan, Shreya Sharma, Shivani, Rashmi Nain, Charvi Sharma, Kanika Rana and Ruhi. — TNS
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