Medical science, drawn into focus.

Schizophrenia

Overview Schizophrenia is a complex syndrome often presenting in late teens/early 20s with positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms include behaviours and thoughts that are not normally present (psychosis). Negative symptoms include social withdrawal and affective flattening. Finally, cognitive symptoms are expressed as a broad set of cognitive dysfunction. The average lifetime prevalence of…

Aortic Stenosis

Overview Aortic valve stenosis is characterised by obstruction of left ventricular outflow, resulting in inadequate cardiac output, decreased exercise capacity, heart failure, and death from cardiovascular causes. Mild to moderate aortic stenosis is usually a symptomatic, but occasionally can be found on routine examination Locations of stenosis – Valvular (common), supravalvular and subvalvular Aortic Stenosis…

Complement Deficiencies

Overview Complement deficiencies are rare primary immunodeficiencies resulting from inherited absence or dysfunction of complement proteins, regulators, or receptors. They predispose to recurrent bacterial infections, autoimmune disease (particularly systemic lupus erythematosus–like syndromes), and in some cases angioedema. Complement proteins play a central role in innate immunity by opsonisation, chemotaxis, and direct lysis of pathogens via…

Neonatal Conditions

Vitals For more information:   Parturition and Routine Care  NORMAL EXPECTED PHYSIOLOGICAL VALUES AT DIFFERENT AGES Age (years) Respiratory Rate Heart rate Systolic Blood Pressure  <1 30-40 110-160 70-90 1-2 25-35 100-150 80-95 2-5 25-30 95-140 80-100 5-12 20-25 80-120 90-110 >12 15-20 60-100 100-120 Oxygen saturation return to 100% after 10 minutes post partum.…

Guillain–Barré Syndrome

Overview Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute, immune-mediated polyneuropathy typically triggered by a preceding gastrointestinal or respiratory infection. It is characterised by an autoimmune attack on the peripheral nerves, leading to mainly demyelination but also axonal degeneration, which impairs nerve conduction and causes muscle weakness and paralysis. GBS affects about 1–2 per 100,000 people annually.…

Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Overview Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) , previously called hyaline membrane disease, is a disorder caused primarily by pulmonary surfactant deficiency and structural lung immaturity. It occurs mainly in premature infants and presents shortly after birth with tachypnoea, grunting, chest recession and increasing oxygen requirements. Severity increases as gestational age decreases. Neonatal RDS is different…

Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Overview Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown cause, characterised by the formation of non‑caseating granulomas in affected organs. Pulmonary involvement occurs in ~90% of patients, making it the most common manifestation. Global prevalence varies widely (e.g., 3.7/100,000 in Japan vs. 28.2/100,000 in Finland), with higher rates in Black Americans and Northern Europeans. Peak…

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