Incidence and clinical profile of rotaviral infection among children below 5 years of age admitted with acute diarrhea in a tertiary care hospital of Tripura

Background: Acute diarrheal disease is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Rotavirus has been recognized as the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children. Data on rotaviral disease burden are needed across India to support reasonable, evidence-based decision regarding any intervention. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to study the incidence of rotavirus infection in acute diarrhea among children below 5 years and clinical profile of rotaviral diarrhea. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a teaching institution of Tripura from November 1, 2014, to April 30, 2016. Stool samplesfrom 460 hospitalized children below 5 years admitted with acute diarrhea were tested for rotaviral antigen by ELISA method. Caregivers were interviewed, physical examination was conducted, assessment of dehydration was done, and cases were managed as per the WHO Guideline. Results: Out of 460 cases of acute diarrhea, 290 (63%) were male and 170 (37%) were female. In infants, 240 (52%) diarrheal cases were observed. Out of total 460 stool samples, 166 (36%) were rotavirus positive, and of these, 100 (60.24%) rotavirus positive cases were infant, and 102 (61.44%) were male children. Rotavirus infection was observed throughout the year, with peak (54.21%) during January–March (winter season). Clinically, 110 (66.26%) children had fever, 94% (156) cases had vomiting, and 63.25% (105) children of rotaviral diarrheal cases were admitted with some dehydration, and 33.13% (55) patients were admitted with severe dehydration. The mean duration of diarrhea (4.97 days) and mean duration of hospital stay (3.71 days) were significantly higher in rotaviral diarrhea as compared with non-rotaviral diarrhea. No death was observed. Out of 460 cases of acute diarrhea, only 6 (1.3%) cases had received rotaviral vaccine, and only one case (0.6%) among 166 rotaviral diarrhea cases had received rotaviral vaccine. Conclusion: This study highlights that rotavirus is a significant cause of acute diarrhea in this part of the country and mainly affects children below 12 months age

A cross-sectional study on iodine status among pregnant and non-pregnant women of Tripura: a North-Eastern state of India

Background: Due to excess metabolic demand of iodine in pregnancy, pregnant women and lactating mother and their neonates are most vulnerable of iodine deficiency disorder. Urinary iodine excretion is a good marker of recent dietary iodine intake. Thus, present study was conducted to assess the iodine status and median urinary iodine excretion (UIE μg/lit) among pregnant and non-pregnant women of Tripura.Methods: Tribal and Bengali pregnant and non-pregnant women from Bokafa and Jolaibari Block of South Tripura district were included in the study. Urinary iodine excretion was done using simple micro plate method. Salt iodine was estimated using iodometric titration. All the tests were performed at CNRT Lab, ICMR, India.Results: Total number of subjects included in this study was 1071. Total number of urine samples collected from pregnant and non-pregnant women was 538 and 533 respectively. Median value of UIE in pregnant and non-pregnant women of Tripura was 155.0µg/L and 130.0µg/L. In pregnant women percentage prevalence of severe (<20µg/L), moderate (20-49µg/L) and mild iodine deficiency (50-149µg/L) was found in 4.1%, 15.1% and 29.6% subjects. In case of non-pregnant women severe (<20µg/L), moderate (20-49µg/L) and mild iodine deficiency (50-99µg/L) was found in 0.6%, 9.6%, 27.8% subjects respectively. The overall prevalence of iodine deficiency was found in 48.8% pregnant women, compared to 38.0% non-pregnant subjects.Conclusions: Efforts towards universal salt iodization need to be stepped-up in Sub-Himalayan region (NE part of India) and pregnant and lactating mothers may be targeted with alternate iodine supplements (Colloidal Iodine)

Lipid profile abnormalities & 10 yr risk of CVD assessment among adult in North East India: A cross-sectional study

Background & objectives: In India, lifestyle changes have contributed to increase in the number of people suffering from lipid profile abnormalities, which is a major risk factor for coronary artery diseases. The present study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of lipid profile abnormalities and 10 yr risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among the adult population in west Tripura district and to study the association of lipid profile abnormalities and increased CVD risk with sociodemography, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, random blood sugar (RBS) and haemoglobin level. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 445 adults of 20 to 60 yr of age from a randomly selected block in west Tripura district. The 10 yr risk of CVD was estimated using the Framingham Risk Assessment Tool. Results: The study revealed that overall 83.4 per cent adult population had lipid profile abnormalities, with 22.2, 42 and 70.3 per cent of participants having hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and low high-density lipoprotein level, respectively. Gender (P=0.02) and BMI (P<0.001) were the significant determinants of dyslipidaemia. Only 3.8 per cent of participants had intermediate or high risk of CVD, with all of them being males. Gender, age, occupation and RBS were significantly associated with increased CVD risk. Interpretation & conclusions: The study revealed a high burden of lipid profile abnormalities in the study population, with males having more risk of CVD. Hence, periodic screening of lipid profile abnormalities and risk of CVD should be incorporated at the primary care level to combat the CVD epidemic in India