2.34803 CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY I

This course is conducted by the discipline of biochemistry and molecular biology.
This course includes the significance of Quality Assurance in Clinical Chemistry involving the Control of pre-analytical and analytical variables., quality control, quality assessment, and specimen collection and processing and also the establishment and uses of reference values. Control of water and electrolyte balance in relation to the factors affecting composition of body fluid. This includes the importance of Na+, K+, HCO3-, Mg2+ and other ions, osmolality/osmotic controls, chloride shift in red cells, sodium/water cycle balance; Disorders of fluid & electrolyte absorption. The renal function is studied to include endocrine links in the kidney and hydrogen ion excretion in the kidney. Test for Glomerular function in understanding of Clearance, Creatinine Clearance, collection of urine. Serum Creatinine and Urea, Proteinuria; Renal Tubular and their clinical significance. An overview of the Gastric, Pancreatic & Intestinal Function involving the main enzymes and hormones of the gastrointestinal system. Clinical significance of lipids and lipoprotein metabolism and the associated disorders. Metabolic disorders of carbohydrate (hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia) counter effects of insulin, diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus. Measurements of biochemical parameters for liver function tests in relation to bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP, Total Protein, Albumin, GGTP, 5'-Nucleotidase, Prothrombin time, importance of thyroid hormones in relation to its structure, function and their association with the metabolism of iodine. Clinical significance of thyroid and parathyroid hormones. Hypo- and hyperthyroidism/hypo & hyperparathyroidism. -Cretinism. -Goiter (I-deficiency & treatment).

Aim: That the students be able to identify and understand the significance of biochemical tests in diagnosing a disorder.

Contact hours: 6 hours per week (2 lectures, 1 tutorial, 3 practical)

Assessment: Course work (assignments, tests, practical write-up) 60%, final exam (theory & practical) 40%.

Reference Textbook:

Delvin, T.M., Ed., Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations 4th Ed. (2001), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Australia, USA.