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Introduction Sleep deprivation is an escalating public health concern among young adults, as it impairs cognitive function and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Existing studies have linked chronic sleep deficiencies to mental confusion, reduced cognitive performance, and early signs of cognitive decline. Research also indicates that inadequate sleep contributes to metabolic dysregulation and autonomic system instability, both of which elevate cardiovascular risk. However, the overall effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function and cardiovascular markers in young adults require further exploration. This study aims to examine the relationship between sleep deprivation, brain fog, early cognitive decline, and cardiovascular risk factors in this population. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 300 participants aged 18-30 from Pakistan and various other countries. Participants were selected using non-probability purposive sampling. Data were collected using four validated instruments: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), applying chi-square tests, independent sample t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression to assess associations between sleep deprivation, cognitive performance, and cardiovascular outcomes. Results Participants with shorter sleep durations had significantly higher scores in cognitive failures (p < 0.01) and perceived stress (p < 0.01). Poor sleep quality was associated with reduced cognitive performance (r = -0.114, p < 0.05), and it also increased the likelihood of developing cardiovascular risk factors. Participants with a family history of CVD exhibited significantly higher cognitive failure scores (t = 5.540, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a decline in sleep quality was associated with increased cardiovascular risk (B = 0.035, p = 0.019), although sleep disorders were not significantly influenced by sleep quality deterioration (B = 0.012, p = 0.400). Employment status and smoking habits were also found to impact both sleep quality and cognitive function (p < 0.01). Conclusions This study highlights the adverse impact of insufficient sleep on cognitive function and cardiovascular health in young adults aged 18-30. Poor sleep quality is associated with increased cognitive errors, heightened stress levels, and a greater risk of cardiovascular issues. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted health interventions aimed at improving sleep hygiene and lifestyle behaviors to reduce the risk of early cognitive decline and cardiovascular conditions. Future research should employ longitudinal designs and objective sleep tracking to strengthen causal inferences.
Morvan syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that predominantly affects adults, but it can also present in adolescents with atypical symptoms. This case of a 17-year-old patient exhibited severe back pain, muscle twitching, visual hallucinations, and hyponatremia, without the thymoma or malignancy commonly observed in adult cases. Early diagnosis and prompt immunotherapy with corticosteroids and plasmapheresis resulted in significant symptom improvement, highlighting the importance of timely intervention in complex neuroimmunological disorders.
Sudan is experiencing one of the most severe measles emergencies in recent decades, driven by the collapse of routine immunisation services amid armed conflict and mass displacement. Using vaccination coverage estimates, case-based surveillance reports, and humanitarian situation reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this review synthesises evidence on declining measles-containing vaccine (MCV) coverage, the rapid rise in diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis first-dose (DTP1) zero-dose children, and the compounding effects of severe acute malnutrition and overcrowding in internally displaced persons camps and border regions. These intersecting vulnerabilities have increased measles transmission and elevated case-fatality rates, while also heightening the risk of cross-border spread to neighbouring countries. Sudan's experience demonstrates how fragile health systems can rapidly lose immunity gains and underscores the need to prioritise immunisation in conflict settings to safeguard regional measles elimination goals.
ABSTRACT Acute pancreatitis is uncommon in adolescents without underlying risk factors. Excessive consumption of energy drink–type beverages has been rarely reported as a possible contributing factor, although causality remains uncertain. We report a 14‐year‐old male who presented with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back and recurrent vomiting. He had a history of consuming over three bottles of a carbonated energy–type drink daily for eight months. Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated amylase (202 U/L) and lipase (245 U/L), and imaging identifies a peripancreatic fluid collection. Common causes of pancreatitis including gallstones, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercalcemia were assessed. The patient received conservative management including bowel rest, intravenous fluids, analgesics, antiemetics, and antibiotics, with gradual clinical improvement. A possible association between chronic excessive energy drink–type beverage consumption and pancreatic injury is described in this adolescent case. Awareness, education, and preventive measures are essential to reduce the incidence of such cases. Evaluation included assessment for common causes of pancreatitis including gallstones, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcemia, medication exposure, abdominal trauma, and metabolic disorders, although complete exclusion of rare etiologies was limited by resource constraints.
