Comparison of calcium metabolism in different subgroups of nephrotic syndrome in children

Background: Children with nephrotic syndrome are at risk of altered calcium metabolism because of the disease per se as wellas steroid therapy even before fall in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Objective: To compare the pattern of alteration in calciummetabolism in different subgroups (infrequent relapser [IFR], frequent relapser or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome [FR/SDNS], and patients in remission) of nephrotic syndrome in children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in theDepartment of Pediatrics, PGIMS, Rohtak. Children between 1 and 8 years of age were divided into three groups, viz., IFR (Group I),FR/SDNS (Group II), and patients in remission (Group III). Serum total calcium, ionized calcium, phosphate, parathormone (PTH),albumin levels, and urinary calcium and phosphate were measured, and X-rays of both lower limbs were done. Results: 10 patientsin each group were compared. Serum total calcium, ionic calcium, and urinary calcium levels were decreased in patient withnephrotic syndrome during active disease. No difference was noted in serum phosphate, urinary phosphate, and GFR in all thethree groups (p>0.05). Serum calcium and urinary calcium were significantly lower in Group II as compared to Group I (p<0.05),whereas serum PTH levels were significantly higher in Group II as compared to Group I (p<0.05). None of the patients withIFR and in remission had changes of osteopenia while 50% patients with FR/SDNS had features of osteopenia in their X-rays.Conclusion: Hypocalcemia is a common finding in children with nephritic syndrome. These children especially those with FR orSDNS should undergo careful monitoring of calcium, phosphorus, and PTH to prevent bone mineral disease

Intranasal midazolam for the treatment of seizures in children in rural India

Background: About 5% of healthy children experience at least one convulsive episode in their lifetime with onset during childhood in more than half the cases. The current evidence suggests that prolonged seizures are best stopped with early treatment. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the role of intranasal administration of midazolam for seizure cessation at home by caregiver in semi-urban and rural settings. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 children in the age group of 6 months–14 years were included in the study, who previously had a history of convulsions and were on regular follow-up. The study was conducted over a period of 6 months. The parents were instructed to give intranasal midazolam (INM) if seizure activity lasted for more than 3 minutes and the need of giving it 2nd time if the seizure was not aborted and to bring the child to nearest pediatrics emergency set up for the further management. Results: The subjects were divided into three groups according to age: Group A consisted of children between 6 months and 4 years, Group B of 4 and 9 years, and Group C had 9 and 14 years old children. Average duration of aborting seizures before INM use was 16.22 min and after its use was 4.66 min. Seizures were aborted in 45 children within 10 min. Conclusion: INM is safe and efficacious in aborting seizures at home in semi-urban and rural settings

Head nodding: An unusual presentation of congenital brain tumor

Congenital brain tumors (CBTs) in neonates are defined as tumors presenting within 60 days after birth. Teratoma is the most common type of CBT. A 37-day-old baby was presented to pediatric emergency with complaints of difficulty in breathing, refusal of feed, and lethargy. The baby had continuous head nodding, drooling of saliva, and slight hypotonia of lower limbs which mother, then confirmed, was present since birth. There was a history of admission to another hospital with similar complaints at day 15 of life, where the child was discharged after 5 days of hospitalization with a diagnosis of nasal block. Magnetic resonance imaging brain showed a large mass located centrally suggestive of either pilocytic astrocytoma or medulloblastoma. The patient expired after 6 months in a private hospital. The present case report aims to focuse the importance of an early diagnosis based on the clinical presentation and imaging studies followed by timely intervention which is critical as the prognosis is very poor

To study the clinicoetiological profile of children admitted with bleeding diathesis

 Background: Bleeding complications in children may be caused by disorders of secondary hemostasis or fibrinolysis. A child who presents with bleeding warrants evaluation for a significant bleeding problem. Objectives: The aim is to study the clinicoetiological profile of children admitted with bleeding diathesis. Materials and Methods: Children up to the age of 14 years presenting in the Department of Pediatrics, Pandit B D Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, with hemorrhagic diathesis, that is, non-traumatic spontaneous bleeding, suspected to be either due to the defective primary hemostatic mechanism (platelet– blood vessel interaction) or defective secondary hemostatic mechanism, were enrolled for this study. Frequency distribution of various bleeding disorders in various age groups was studied. Results: A total of 92 children up to the age of 14 years were taken up for study, of which, maximum cases with bleeding presented with hematemesis (23.9%) followed by melena (22.8%). A total of 73 children (79.34%) presented with skin and joint bleeds. We were able to make diagnosis in 82 children (89.1%). Among 82 patients, 31 (37.8%) had bleeding secondary to infections, 11 (13.4%) had coagulation disorder, 9 (10.97%) had Henoch–Schonlein purpura (HSP) and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) each, 6 (7.3%) had hypoplastic bone marrow, 2 (2.4%) had chronic malaria, 4 (4.9%) had leukemia, 6 (7.3%) had liver diseases, and 6 (7.3%) had hemorrhagic disease of newborn (HDN). Almost half of the children with bleeding manifestations in each age group had thrombocytopenia. The most common causes of bleeding in <1 year were septicemia with thrombocytopenia and HDN; among 1-7 years were infections, ITP, and coagulation disorders; and in more than 7 years were HSP, ITP, liver disease, and hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Conclusion: Our study foundthat the gastrointestinal tract was the most common site of bleeding in children presenting with non-traumatic spontaneous bleed, and thrombocytopenia was present in 50% of the cases in each age group. We also found that infections were the most common cause of bleeding in younger children, whereas immunological causes and coagulation disorders predominate in older children. Hence, while evaluating any child with bleeding, age at presentation is also an important parameter to find the etiological diagnosis.&nbsp

To study the clinical profile of children with pleural effusion at a Tertiary Care Center in North India: A prospective study

Introduction: Pleural effusion is the most common manifestation of pleural disorders and is mostly secondary to bacterial infections in children. Aims and Objectives: The primary objective was to study the clinical presentation of pleural effusion in hospitalized children. The secondary objective was to establish the etiology. Methods: A prospective observational study conducted from April 2014 to September 2015. Children >1 month and <14 years diagnosed to have pleural effusion on clinical and radiological examination were included in the study. Data regarding demographic profile, presenting complaints, immunization history, anthropometry, biochemical and radiological investigations, and the outcome of the patients were collected. Results: Seventy-five patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 69.97±48.23 months. Regarding etiology of pleural effusion, it was parapneumonic in 35 (46.6%), empyema in 18 (24%), transudative in 12 (16%), tubercular in 9 (12%), and malignant (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) in 1 (1.3%) case. The presenting complaints were fever (82.6%), cough (78.7%), respiratory distress (69.3%), chest pain (36%), and abdominal pain (9.3%). There was no sex predominance. About 16% patients were severely malnourished. Severe anemia was present in 5 (6.7%) patients. None of them required decortication surgery, and none of the patients expired during hospitalization. Conclusion: Pleural effusion is a major health problem with parapneumonic effusion still beingthe most common etiology. Our study also confirmed that fever, cough, and respiratory distress were the most common presenting complaints and most of the children were malnourished. A high index of suspicion is required to avoid delays in diagnosis that may influence treatment and outcome

Optimal mobile-determined micro-macro cell selection

In a two-tier microcell/macrocell cellular system, to keep the handoff rate at an acceptable level, low mobility users (with speed v V0) should undergo handoffs at macrocell boundaries. We propose a procedure by which the mobile determines user mobility from microcell sojourn times and uses it for micro-macro cell selection at call origination and handoff. The probability of erroneous assignment of a mobile to a microcell or macrocell is shown to be significantly lower than previous approaches.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Proptosis as a manifestation of acute myeloid leukaemia-A case report

A case of unilateral proptosis in a patient of acute myelocytic leukaemia is being reported for its rarity

Beneficial effects of gluten free diet on IgA tissue transglutaminase levels and various growth parameters in celiac disease patients

Context: In the resource poor country like India it is difficult to get HLA screening and EMA testing in patients with celiac disease in small centres. Aims: To study the effect of gluten free diet on IgA tissue transglutaminase levels and various growth parameters in patients with celiac disease. Settings and Design: This was a prospective study conducted in the department of paediatrics of a tertiary referral hospital in north India in 3 stages viz. on presentation, after 3 months and 6 months of initial presentation. Materials and Methods: 392 patients with symptoms suggestive of celiac disease were screened for IgA tTG levels more than 10 folds of upper limit of normal. 50 cases (who followed up for 6 months regularly) were enrolled in the study. Spectrum of various growth and clinical parameters were also studied. Statistical analysis used: Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS version 20.0. Data were checked for normality before statistical analysis. p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 50 cases were enrolled in study. After initiation of gluten free diet, improvements were seen in various growth factors like height (12.71%) and weight (3.47 cm) after 6 months. Serum tTG(IgA) levels decreased to 94.88±55.35 U/mL from baseline level of 202±83.96 U/mL after 6 months. Conclusions: Gluten free diet has major role in improvement in growth parameters as well as anemia. So, early detection of celiac disease is an important step in prevention of morbidity associated with this chronic disease