A premature baby was found to have bullus lesions on the skin X-ray of long bones showed periostitis delived at 34weeks of gastation Next best investigations is
1.VDRL for mother and baby
2.ELISA for HIV
3.PCR for TB
4.HBsAg for mother
Solution:
This premature baby is showing features of congenital syphilis which can be detected using VDRL test. Early manifestations of congenital syphilis includes:rhinitis,or snuffles mucocutaneous lesions,bone changes including
osteochondritis,
osteritis and periostitis detectable by x-ray examination of lone bones, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy,anemia jaundice,thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis