Erythema nodosum and reactive arthritis accompanying tuberculosis: A case report

Erythema nodosum (EN) is the most common panniculitis, appearing as crops of erythematous nodules located symmetrically on the anterior aspect of lower extremities. It is precipitated by several infectious and non-infectious causes with primary tuberculosis (TB) being its most common cause in developing countries. Reactive arthritis associated with TB is known a

Magnitude and factors contributing school absenteeism among adolescents of Ujjain city

Background: School absenteeism is prevalent in Madhya Pradesh and other states of India. Various psychosocial, domestic, and health-related factors have been implicated for absenteeism. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the magnitude of school absenteeism and its contributing factors among adolescent students of Ujjain city. Methods: An observational study was conducted in government schools of Ujjain district. Students studying in 6th–8th standard between 11 and 14 years were interviewedusing a predesigned questionnaire. The factors reported for school absenteeism were recorded. Results: A total of 1250 students were studying in the 6th, 7th, and 8th standard. Of these, 434 (34.7%) students had significant absenteeism >2 days/month. Frequent absenteeism (Group A, absenteeism >4 days per month) occurred in 388 (89.4%) and rest were infrequent absentees (Group B, absenteeism ≤4 days per month). Analysis of sociodemographic factors revealed significant influence of lower socioeconomic status (A=43.1% and B=28.2%; p=0.03), maternal illiteracy (A=19.3% and B=6.5%; p=0.004), paternal illiteracy (A=12.6% and B=0), rural background (A=23.2% and B=6.5%; p=0.031), and unskilled and semiskilled profession of the father (A=30.9% and B=8.6%; p=0.001) on frequent absenteeism. Helping the mother in the kitchen was the only social factor responsible for the significant absenteeism (A=44.0% and B=26.1%; p=0.02). Watching television (TV) was also reported as a cause of frequent absenteeism. Medical morbidities and school-related factors did not influence significant absenteeism. Conclusion: School absenteeism has a high prevalence in government schools of Ujjain district. Lower socioeconomic status, parental illiteracy, rural background, unskilled occupation, helping the mother in the kitchen, and watching TV resulted in frequent absenteeism.&nbsp

Comparison of feeding practices among rural and urban mothers and their effect on nutritional status of children

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the nutritional status in infants based on infant feeding practices among rural and urban areas. Methods: An observational study was carried out in the Department of Paediatrics of a tertiary care hospital of New Delhi. The present study included a total of 1000 children, of which 500 were from rural and 500 from urban background over a period of 1 year. Information on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices was recorded. Results: In this study, we found that early initiation of breastfeeding (within 1 h after birth) was significantly more common in urban area as compared to rural(71.8% vs. 54.2%; p=0.001). Significantly higher proportion of mothers in urban population (88.0%) was frequently breastfeeding their children than rural ones 76.0% (p=0.001). Practice of night feeding was same in both the groups. Practices of giving prelacteal feeding were significantly higher in rural than in urban area (50.2% vs. 18.4%; p=0.001). Children in whom complementary feeding was introduced beyond 6 months had significantly higher occurrence of malnutrition (68.6% vs. 55.4%; p=0.004). Type of complementary feed did not affect the occurrence of malnutrition. Conclusion: Exclusively, breastfed children below 6 months of age and children where complementary feeding is introduced timely at 6 months have lower incidence of malnutrition as compared to those given top feeding before 6 months and inappropriate complementary feeding beyond 6 months of age

Congenital herpes infection: An unusual presentation

Maternal genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection, asymptomatic in 70% of cases. Mostly infection is acquired duringintrapartum period or postnatally through contact with mucocutaneous lesions. Primary neonatal herpetic infection outside the oralcavity is uncommon, but there are well-documented ocular cases, with or without associated oral lesions. A high index of clinicalsuspicion is the key for early antiviral treatment initiation and better outcome

To study the immunization status of children aged 1-5 years & to assess the awareness level of the parents regarding immunization of their children in tertiary care hospital

Background:Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and even eradicating disease . Immunization is the process of inducing immunity against a specific disease. Evolution of the immunization status of children aged 1-5 years & to assess the awareness level of the parents regarding immunization. Method:The Present study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics tertiary care hospital. A total of 500 children were studied. All the children aged between 1-5 years, admitted in Department of Pediatrics were asked to participate in this study. Information regarding vaccination, sociodemographic factors was collected from their parents and care takers. Accuracy and validity of information were confirmed by immunization card in possible situation and inspection for BCG scar. Results:We found that 51.2% children were fully immunized, 45.6% were partially immunized and 3.2% children were unimmunized. Study showed significant association between immunization status and age of children P (<0.001), according to religion P (<0.001), socio-economic status P (<0.001), birth order P (<0.001). Association with type of family and immunization status P (<0.05), area P (0.05) , according Gender P (0.05) statistically non-significant Majority of the parents (40.8%) gained the knowledge of immunization from ASHA/ health worker, 32% from Doctors, 16% from media (newspaper, television), 7.2% from relatives and neighbors and only 2.6% parents were themselves aware of immunization.Conclusion:Age, religion, birth order, socio economic status had significant role in influencing the immunization. The prime reason behind partial immunization as per our study was unawareness of vaccination schedule and inters current illnesses of the children

P. vivax malaria presenting as shock an unusual manifestation: Case series

Shock as a manifestation of Plasmodium vivax infection is rarely reported. Four children aged 8 – 12 years with severe vivax malaria presented with shock. Thrombocytopenia was detected in all cases. There were no bleed from any site. Diagnosis of P. vivax was made by blood smear and rapid diagnostic tests. All patients did not responded to initial fluid boluses and improved on steroid and anti malarial therapy being artesunate combination therapy

A study of clinical profile and outcome of children who presented with status epileptics in the PICU of a tertiary care hospital of central India

Background: Status epileticus is an acute, life threatening neurological emergency that may lead to permanent neurological damage or even death. Status epileticus affects people of all ages, though it is more common and causes greater morbidity and mortality in infants and 1-5 yr age. Method: The Present study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics tertiary care hospital. A total of 105 children were studied. All the children aged between 1 month - 14 year presenting with Status Epileticus , admitted in PICU in department of pediatrics. Data was collected after taking written consent, detailed history in a pretested proforma. Results: Total 105 subjects were included in final analysis out of which 55(52.4%) were male and 50(47.6%) female. Subjects had duration of seizure more than 30 minute at presentation . In our study showed that factors associated with a high risk of mortality in status epilepticus are GI hemorrhage (p value <0.001), significant mortality was observed in subjects who required MV on admission (p value < 0.0001 ) , hypotension (p-value 0.0003), prolonged duration of seizures (p- value 0.015), time taken to control seizures(p- value <0.0001), nutritional status (p value 0.008), infectious etiology(p value 0.0006).and distribution of subjects according to socioeconomic status and outcome also statically significant (p- value <0.0001), 100 % mortality was in super refractory group and 6(60%) mortality was seen in subjects who had not controlled seizure within 24 hour. Conclusion: In this study mortality was associated, risk factors being prolonged duration of seizures, infectious etiology, hypotension, Gastrointestinal hemorrhage and need for mechanical ventilation on admission. Prolong duration of seizures and not respond to AED were major contributing factors