Neonatal Hypocalcemia and its Association with Neonatal and Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency

Mohd Muthiuddin Muzammil — 2026-04-11

Background: In neonates, hypocalcaemia is a common metabolic manifestation. It is a potentially fatal condition, with reported prevalence varying according to gestational age, maternal and infant comorbidities, and perinatal factors.
Methods: All 100 new-borns admitted in the NICU, and having hypocalcaemia, defined as total serum Calcium <8mg/dl and ionic calcium <3mg/dl, during the study period, and whose parents have given informed consent
Results: The male predominance was seen in 58% and females were 42%. The male : female ratio was 1.38:1. Early onset of hypocalcaemia was seen in 83% of the cases of which Males were 59% and females were 41%. The mean gestational age was 36.27)
+ 1.99 and the mean birth weight was 2.46 + 0.65. The preterm neonates were 27 (32.53%) and term neonates were 56(67.46%)
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was found to be very prevalent in healthy term born infants. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in new-borns, and it was observed that this deficiency was attributed to early neonatal hypocalcaemia. However, the long-term effects of a vitamin D deficiency in childhood are unknown. The use of 25-OH cholecalciferol as a sensitive marker in both term and preterm new-borns is recommended. To prevent neonatal Vitamin D deficiency, mothers were given 1200 IU/day vitamin D supplements from the 12th gestational week to the 6th month of pregnancy.

Comparative Study of Palmar Dermatoglyphics in Vitiligo Patients and Normal Controls

U. Sujatha — 2026-04-07

Background: Dermatoglyphics is the study of epidermal ridges and the patterns formed by them during early intrauterine period. Epidermal ridges have been useful in diagnosing hereditary diseases.
Objective: To evaluate significant difference in dermatoglyphic patterns in vitiligo cases and controls.
Material and methods: The palmar prints of 100 vitiligo cases were taken from outpatient department of Dermatology, Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad and 100 healthy controls from general population. Ethics committee clearance has been obtained. Informed consent was taken from the patients and controls. Dermatoglyphic prints were taken by the ink method of Cummins and Midlo. The prints were then subjected to dermatoglyphic analysis with the help of magnifying hand lens and ridge counting was done with the help of a sharp needle and the details were noted.
Results: There was an increased incidence in ulnar loops and decreased incidence of radial loops in vitiligo cases compared to controls. There was a decreased incidence of whorls in male cases and an increased incidence of whorls in female cases compared to controls. There was a decreased incidence of arches in both male and female cases compared to controls. There was a significant increase in the percentage of Simian line in right hand of female cases compared to controls. There was a significant decrease in the percentage of Sydney line in the right hand of female cases compared to controls.
Conclusion: At present there are very few studies on palmar dermatoglyphics in vitiligo. The present study was a small study consisting of 100 patients only. Hence its findings cannot be generalized. Further large case control studies are needed to establish the exact relation between vitiligo and dermatoglyphics.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Research

Neonatal Hypocalcemia and its Association with Neonatal and Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency

Comparative Study of Palmar Dermatoglyphics in Vitiligo Patients and Normal Controls