Knowledge of umbilical cord blood banking among obstetricians and mothers in Anand and Kheda District, India

Background:

To assess the knowledge of obstetricians and expectant mothers towards UCB banking and their awareness regarding pros and cons of the process.

Methods:

Questionnaires from a previously published study were modified contextually and translated into vernacular language (Gujarati). The questionnaires were distributed among 200 obstetricians, of which 100 responded and 100 mothers were in Anand and Kheda districts of India. Informed consent was taken for both.

Results:

Mean (SD) age of obstetricians was 47.5 years (11.14) with mean (SD) work experience of 19.72 years (9.94). Almost all were aware of collection procedure for UCB and felt that UCB banking is useful. Thirty obstetricians thought that stored blood can be used in conditions of Autism, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and all genetic conditions. Sixty-three were aware of the procedure technique. Majority felt that the process was feasible and would do it for their own child. All the 100 mothers approached consented for the study with average age (SD) of 26.88 (4.17). Many were not aware of such a procedure and were not certain about the usefulness of the procedure. Seventy-six did not know the conditions in which the stored blood can be used. Only 4 mothers/family members had opted for UCB banking, whereas 27 expressed their willingness to recommend UCB to another mother. Five Muslim women wanted UCB but could not pursue it due to religious norms.

Conclusion:

The level of understanding among obstetricians was not commensurate with the amount of faith with which they promoted UCB banking.

Large myofascial fibromatosis involving the shoulder girdle

An 11 year old girl presented with gradually increasing swelling over left scapular region and limitation of movements. On examination, a mass with firm to hard consistency was found fixed to the scapula. Clinical diagnosis of fibromatosis was confirmed by needle biopsy. Radical excision of the tumor was carried out and the resultant large exposed area was covered by transpositional rotation of trapezius myocutaneous flap. Microscopic examination of excised tumor revealed spindle shaped elongated cells in the form of whorls and trabeculae. The post operative course of the patient was uneventful with no evidence of recurrence at the end of 22 months.