Your Guide to Zinc: The Doctor's Reference Booklet

Zinc deficiency is a major problem in India. This is the key impression that emerges from browsing this useful reference booklet. It seems to be designed to provide every relevant clinical fact about zinc that the busy doctor will ever need to know, and is likely to be kept within arm's reach in the clinic, for quick and easy reference. Patients' whose zinc needs require mandatory review, as identified by the booklet, include pregnant and breastfeeding women, breastfed and low birth weight infants, children with diarrhoea and those with growth delays, adolescents, elderly individuals, diabetic and immune-deficient patients, and those having suffered burns or major trauma.

Zinc deficiency occurs in many of the diseases that the doctor sees in the clinic, and it is associated with increased risk of serious infectious diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malaria, as well as growth retardation. Of particular concern are the consequences of deficiency in the pregnant and breastfeeding mother and her infant.

The booklet briefly outlines the scientific basis for its clinical advice and, for the doctor who would like to follow-up further, references are provided.

Micaela M. Buckley

There is a wealth of obstetrics and gynaecology information posted on the internet so much so, in fact, that sometimes finding what you want is like looking for a needle in a haystack! Fortunately, a comprehensive and convenient obstetrics and gynaecology website has been designed to help doctors find the information they need quickly and easily.
This is OBGYN.net ('The Universe of Women's Health') which is found at www.obgyn.net/

OBGYN.net offers a worldwide perspective. It has assembled a team of international representatives in various countries around the world, and has 'mirror' sites in several different languages (e.g. Spanish, German). OBGYN.net has considerable coverage, with subsites specially tailored to suit the needs of medical professionals, the medical industry, and women and patients. Most doctors will want to begin by entering the 'Medical Professionals' site, while patients can be 'referred' to the 'For women and Patients' section if they want more information on, for example, childbirth, infertility or breastfeeding.

The subsites have the same basic layout, and from each one it is possible to go directly to several common (shared) sections, including: 'Clinical Information', 'Publications', 'Education', 'International', and 'Interactive Tools'. The 'Publications' section includes an on-line medical journal called The Female Patient. The 'International' section includes links to local obstetrics and gynaecology resources in various countries,

for example in India. A nice touch, the 'Interactive Tools' section includes advice for residents on how to prepare a CV as part of applying for a job, as well as information on building your own webpage. Daily updated health headlines are also here.

Featured sections (which can also be accessed from each subsite) include: chronic pelvic pain; endometriosis; foetal monitoring; hysterectomy alternatives; image library; menopause and peri-menopause; osteoporosis; pregnancy and birth; ultrasound; and young women's health. These sections have their own editorial advisory boards and are regularly updated with contributions (e.g. conference reports, articles, case reports, etc.) from around the world. An Email service is available to advise when the sections are updated.

OBGYN.net is an interactive site and hosts many live chat sessions, giving doctors in India the opportunity to interact with their counterparts from other parts of the world.

OBGYN.net is not restricted to clinical content alone. There is a database of conferences, as well as a directory of manufacturers and vendors of medical equipment. The site also has a search facility. Indian doctors have always prided ourselves on our extensive clinical experience and skills. However, until recently, it has not been easy for us to display our skills to a global audience. Thus, I encourage every-one who can to actively participate whichever way possible in OBGYN.net in my opinion the premier internet site for obstetricians and gynaecologists from around the world.

Aniruddha Malpani