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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…

Cerebral Palsy

Overview Cerebral palsy is a non-Progressive neurological disorder. Usually with significant motor component. Clinical presentation overtime changes due to increased developmental challenges.Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in childhood. Prevalence is about 1 – 3/ 1000 live births. Cerebral palsy can affect: Cerebral cortex – causing spasticity Basal ganglia – causing dyskinesia…

Hypertension

Summary of Hypertension Hypertension can be divided into primary (essential) and secondary hypertension (a result of an underlying condition, ie. renal artery stenosis). It is important to identify wether this is an underlying cause of the hypertension based on history, risk factors and by ordering appropriate tests. Untreated, undiagnosed and poor compliancy can result in…

Hydrocephalus

Overview Hydrocephalus is excessive accumulation of CSF in the cerebral ventricles. In children, look for increasing head circumference, increased intracranial pressure, a bulging fontanelle, scalp vein engorgement, and paralysis of upward gaze. The most common causes include: Congenital malformations Tumors Inflammation (i.e hemorrhage, meningitis). Treat the underlying cause, if possible; otherwise a surgical shunt is created…

Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Overview Premenstrual syndrome is defined as recurrent moderate psychological and physical symptoms that occur during the luteal phase of menses and resolve with menstruation. Most women of reproductive age experience one or more mild emotional or physical symptoms for one to two days before the onset of menses. These symptoms, such as breast soreness and bloating,…

Psoriasis

Overview Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease with systemic associations, characterized by sharply demarcated erythematous plaques with overlying scale, most commonly plaque psoriasis. [1-4] It affects about 1% to 3% of the global population, although prevalence varies by geography and ethnicity, and plaque psoriasis accounts for about 80% to 90% of cases. [1,2]…

Chronic Pancreatitis

Overview Chronic pancreatitis is characterised by recurrent or persistent abdominal pain arising from the pancreas. The inflammatory process results in irreversible destruction and fibrosis of the pancreas. Often associated with exocrine or endocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Acute Pancreatitis: An inflammatory process in which pancreatic enzymes are activated and cause autodigestion of the gland. Chronic Pancreatitis: Irreversible…

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