STUDY OF CO-MORBIDITIES AND OUTCOME IN HOSPITALISED CHILDREN WITH PRIMARY SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION

Introduction:  Aim & Objectives: To determine the different co-morbidities associated in children aged 6 - 59 months with primary severe acute malnutrition and the outcome of primary severe acute malnutrition in children. Material & Method:  This study was conducted over 2 years (From November 2019 to October 2021) at the Department of Pediatrics, S.C.B. Medical College & Hospital, S.V.P. Postgraduate Institute of Pediatrics, and Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), Cuttack. This is a hospital-based descriptive survey study. The children aged 6 – 59 months, meeting the WHO definition of Severe Acute Malnutrition were included in the study. Results  The most common presenting complaint seen in our study population was fever, present in 60 of cases. The 2nd most common presenting complaint was cough and cold in 51 (%) of subjects, followed by loose stool, seen in 34 cases; and not gaining weight in 31 (%) cases. Acute respiratory tract infections were found to be the most common infectious co-morbidity, present in 43 children. Diarrhea was the second most common infectious co-morbidity which was seen in 34 children. Conclusion: SAM is more seen in low socio-economic groups; and in families with lower rates of access to and utilization of safe water and sanitation facilities. Lower rate of complete immunization, as compared to national and state level statistics; and inadequate exclusive breastfeeding and delayed weaning are common findings in SAM children.  Recommendation  Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, followed by the introduction of complementary feeds at 6 months; continued breastfeeding till 2 years. Immunization as per schedule, as several cases were partially immunized. Socioeconomic status has to be improved including parental education regarding following hygienic practices, usage of safe water, and sanitatio

STUDY OF IMPACT OF BIRTH ASPHYXIA ON THYROID HORMONE IN NEWBORN.

Aim and Objective: Study of the Impact of birth asphyxia on thyroid hormone in newborns. Methods: It was a prospective case-control study conducted at SCB Medical College, Department of Pediatrics. For the study, a total of 200 full-term newborns were assigned of which 100 asphyxiated newborns were taken as cases and 100 healthy newborns as a control group. Sarnat and Sarnat staging is used to classify the severity of birth asphyxia. Blood samples were collected at 18 to 24 hours of age for thyroid hormone level estimation.  Results: Out of 100 cases, 33% were HIE stage 1, 43% were HIE stage 2, and 24% were HIE stage 3. The mean value of T3, T4, and TSH was lower at 18 to 24 hours of age. Conclusion: The mean T3, T4, and TSH level at 18 to 24 hours of asphyxiated newborn was significantly lower than the control group. Recommendation: More studies need to be done with a larger sample size in different regions of India and investigate the prevalence of thyroid hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and its association with morbidity