Daily versus fortnightly oral vitamin D3 in treatment of symptomatic vitamin D deficiency in children aged 1-10 years: An open labelled randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the efficacy and safety of daily versus fortnightly oral vitamin D3 in treating symptomatic vitamin D deficiency in children aged 1-10 years. DESIGN: Open labelled randomized controlled trial. PATIENTS: Eighty children with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency were randomized into group daily (D) and group bolus (B) [40 in each group] to receive oral vitamin D3, 4000 IU daily or 60,000 IU fortnightly for 12 weeks respectively. Both groups received daily oral calcium of 500 mg/day. MEASUREMENTS: Serum calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, urine calcium: creatinine ratio and radiological score were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks and 12 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, 74 children were available for evaluation of the efficacy and safety of both regimens. RESULTS: Both regimens led to a significant increase in Ca and P levels and a fall in ALP and PTH levels from baseline to 4 and 12 weeks of therapy, with no intergroup difference. At 4- and 12-week assessments, all children in both treatment arms achieved 25(OH)D level in sufficiency range, with no significant difference in their geometric mean. Both regimens were associated with asymptomatic transient hypercalcemia [group D-51.4% vs. group B-34.3%; p -0.14] and hypercalciuria (5.7%) in group D that resolved spontaneously on follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Daily and fortnightly oral vitamin D3 in similar cumulative doses are efficacious for treating symptomatic vitamin D deficiency in children (1-10 years). Treated children should be monitored for serum 25(OH)D, Ca and urinary calcium creatinine ratio.

Demographical and Epidemiological Contribution to Cancer Incidence in Delhi and Its Trends from 1991-2015.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer incidences are rising worldwide, and India ranked third globally in cancer incidence as of 2020, according to estimates from GLOBOCAN. The three components that contributed to changes in cancer incidence include cancer-related risk factors, population size, and population structure. The present study aim is to derive the contribution of these factors to cancer incidence and to evaluate their trend from 1991 to 2015. METHODS: The Data were extracted from the Delhi population-based cancer registry published reports. This longstanding registry covers nearly 100% of the Delhi population. The secular trends of cancer incidence from 1991-2015 were assessed for all sites combined as well as top-five cancer sites among males and females. Joinpoint regression and Riskdiff software were performed to assess the trend among the components of cancer incidence change. RESULTS: Both males and females exhibited nearly equal age-standardised incidence rates over 25 years. Albeit, an overall trend in age-standardised rate was not significant for both sexes (0.68% for males and -0.16% for females) when considering all cancer sites combined. Lung, prostate, oral, and gallbladder cancer exhibits a significant rising trend in the age-standardised rates in males while in females only breast and endometrial cancer showed a rising trend. The cancer counts surged by 252% in males and 208.5% in females from 1991 to 2015. The population size component contributed a 180% increase in males and a 170% increase in females, respectively. The site-specific risk changes were more than 100% for the prostate, oral, and gallbladder cancers in males and endometrial cancer in females. The population structure (aging) contributed to rising cancer incidence varying from 35% to 60% in both genders. CONCLUSION: A significant contribution to new cancer cases was observed due to a demographical shift in both population size and structure, in addition to plausible cancer-specific risk factors. This transformation could surge a potential burden on the Delhi healthcare system. Persistent endeavours are essential to expand and enhance the existing cancer care infrastructure to meet the rising demand driven by aging and population growth. Implementing a stringent population policy can help to mitigate the impact of population growth on cancer incidence.

Epidemiological profile and clinical outcomes of very young (<35 years) and young (35-50 years) patients with STEMI: Insights from the NORIN STEMI registry.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant progress in primary prevention, rates of myocardial infarction (MI) in South Asian population is alarmingly high. OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare risk factor profiles and outcomes between individuals with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) in young (<50 years) and old (≥50 years) age groups. METHODS: North India STEMI Registry (NORIN-STEMI) is a prospective observational registry of patients hospitalised with STEMI. We conducted a study of young patients (<50 years) regarding their risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD), in-hospital and 30-day mortality and compared with their older counterpart. RESULTS: Among 5335 patients enrolled, 1752 (32.8%) were young and were 19 years younger than the older cohort. Major risk factors in young patients were physical inactivity (75.1%) and alcohol intake (67.8%). Higher prevalence of tobacco use (66.6% vs 52.4%), but lower prevalence of diabetes (16% vs 26.3%) and hypertension (18.5% vs 29.9%) were seen in young STEMI. Young patients were less likely to die both in-hospital (5.9% vs 10.0%) and at 30-days (11.1% vs 16.2%). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 30% at admission [OR: 8.00, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.60-13.90, P < 0.001 in-hospital, OR: 3.92, 95% CI: 2.69-5.73 at 30-days] and female sex were strongest predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Young STEMI patients constituted one-third of total cohort. Most of them were tobacco consumers with lesser prevalence of diabetes and hypertension. They were less likely to die both in-hospital and at 30 days because of earlier presentation to a health care facility and hence a relatively preserved LVEF.

Despite treatment, HbA1c ≥ 37 mmol/mol in the first trimester is associated with premature delivery among South Asian women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of first-trimester HbA1c (HbA1c-FT) ≥ 37 mmol/mol on preterm birth (PTB) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) babies in a retrospective cohort of South Asian pregnant women with gestational diabetes (GDM). METHODS: The cohort (n = 686) was separated into two groups based on HbA1c-FT values: Group A (n = 97) and Group B (n = 589), with values of 37-46 mmol/mol (5.5-6.4%) and < 37 mmol/mol (5.5%), respectively. HbA1c-FT's independent influence on PTB and LGA babies was examined using multivariable logistic regression in groups A and B women. The reference group (Group C) included 2031 non-GDM women with HbA1c-FT < 37 mmol/mol (< 5.5%). The effects of HbA1c-FT on PTB and LGA babies in obese women in Groups A, B, and C (designated as A-ob, B-ob, and C-ob, respectively) were re-analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Group A GDM women with greater HbA1c-FT had a higher risk for PTB (aOR:1.86, 95% CI:1.10-3.14) but not LGA babies (aOR:1.13, 95%: 0.70-1.83). The risk of PTB was higher for obese women in Group A-ob: aOR 3.28 [95% CI 1.68-6.39]. However, GDM women with normal HbA1c-FT exhibited no elevated risk for PTB: Groups B and B-ob had aORs of 1.30 (95% CI 0.86-1.98) and 1.28 (95% CI 0.88-1.85) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: South Asian GDM women with prediabetic HbA1c FT; 37-46 mmol/mol (5.5-6.4%) are more likely to deliver preterm babies despite treatment, while the risk for LGA babies was the same as non-GDM women.

Quality of Life of Developmentally Normal Children With Epilepsy and Their Siblings.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QOL) is a fundamental and multidimensional concept that should be considered with health problems, specifically chronic diseases, such as epilepsy. There have been limited studies on how pediatric epilepsy impacts the QOL of siblings of affected individuals. Hence, we studied the impact of epilepsy on the QOL of affected children and their siblings. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the QOL of developmentally normal children with epilepsy and their siblings and the association of QOL scores with the clinicodemographic profile. METHODS: This study was conducted at the University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, New Delhi, India, a tertiary care hospital. The QOL of children (4-12 years) with epilepsy was assessed using epilepsy-specific questionnaires, i.e., Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire-55 (QOLCE-55), which covers the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical domains, and Pediatric Quality of Life Epilepsy Module (Peds QL EM), which covers the impact, cognitive, sleep, executive, and mood/ behavior domains. QOL in siblings was assessed using the Peds QL Inventory, which covers the following domains: physical, emotional, social, and school. The principal investigator administered these questionnaires to parents in Hindi/ English. Scoring was done as per standard instructions of the questionnaire. Clinical and demographic data were recorded in a pro forma. RESULT: The median QOLCE-55 score was 81.12, with a range of 74.65-86.34, and the median Peds QL EM score was 89.31, with a range of 75.58-94.48. Overall, Cronbach's alpha of QOLCE-55 and Peds QL EM was >0.8. Breakthrough seizures (≥10) affected the overall QOL (p=0.001) and all domains of QOLCE-55 (except emotional function (p=0.44)) and Peds QL EM (except sleep/fatigue domain (p=0.59)). Age, sex, parental education, socioeconomic status, and type of epilepsy did not affect the overall QOL (p>0.05). The QOL of siblings was not affected as per the Peds QL Inventory score (median score 100) and self-made questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the QOL of children with epilepsy was compromised, whereas the QOL of their siblings was not affected.

Tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte subsets and their individual prognostic impact in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

AIMS: Current understanding of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is incomplete with regard to prognostic factors that lead to the considerable heterogeneity in treatment response and patient outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the impact of individual tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) subsets on prognosis as a possible rationale for this, in a retrospective observational study. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed to quantitatively assess cell densities of CD3+, CD20+, CD4+, CD8+ and FOXP3+TIL subsets in 50 surgically treated OSCC cases. Results were correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and Youden index were applied to determine prognostically significant cut-off values. RESULTS: Mean counts for CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD20+ and FOXP3+TILs were 243, 52, 132, 53 and 116 cells per high power field, respectively. High CD8+ and low FOXP3+TIL counts, and high ratio of CD8:FOXP3 were significantly associated with longer DFS and OS, as well as with improved tumour-host interface parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Host immune response and its interaction with cancer cells have a significant impact on OSCC outcomes, with some TIL subsets being more clinically relevant than others. High cytotoxic T-cell (CD8) and low Treg (FOXP3) counts, and high cytotoxic T-cell to Treg (CD8:FOXP3) ratio are significantly associated with favourable prognosis. These results may serve as a leading point in identifying novel therapeutic agents that can redesign the tumour immune microenvironment by reducing infiltrating FOXP3-lymphocytes, and modifying their signalling pathways.

Development and Validation of Total Pain Scale for Evaluation of Total Pain in Cancer Patients.

Objectives: Cancer pain has all the components of total pain such as physical, social, psychological, and spiritual. These components contribute to the overall pain experience in cancer patients. Many instruments have been developed till date to assess the effect of pain in cancer patients but none of the instruments include all components of total pain. In this article, we describe the development and validation of the total pain scale (TPS) for the evaluation of total pain in cancer patients with pain. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire for the evaluation of total pain in cancer patients with pain. Material and Methods: This study included a review of existing pain questionnaires for cancer pain for item pool generation. Items were generated in the Hindi language by six stakeholders to create 23 items to develop TPS. TPS was applied to 300 Hindi-speaking cancer patients. Bivariate correlation was used to reduce the number of items as well as construction of the domain followed by factor analysis to finalise TPS. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed for testing the validity and reliability of TPS. Results: TPS is an 18-item scale composed of four domains (physical, social, spiritual and psychological domain). The internal consistency of TPS and its subscales was found to be very good (a = 0.84-0.88). CFA and structural equation modeling Goodness of fit has confirmed that model 4 is the best fit as it yielded a lesser root-mean-squared error of approximation value of 0.062 and a greater comparative fit index, Tucker-Lewis index value of 0.944. The convergent and divergent validity of TPS and its domain was good. Conclusion: This study reports TPS to be a brief (18-item), valid, and reliable questionnaire in the Hindi language for assessment of all components of total pain in cancer patients with pain.

Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on mortality after acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 vaccines are highly immunogenic but cardiovascular effects of these vaccines have not been properly elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To determine impact of COVID-19 vaccination on mortality following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: This was a single center retrospective observation study among patients with AMI enrolled in the the North India ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NORIN-STEMI) registry. In all the enrolled patients, data regarding patient's vaccination status including details on type of vaccine, date of vaccination and adverse effects were obtained. All enrolled subjects were followed up for a period of six months. The primary outcome of the study was all-cause mortality both at one month and at six months of follow-up. Propensity-weighted score logistic regression model using inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to determine the impact of vaccination status on all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1578 subjects were enrolled in the study of whom 1086(68.8%) were vaccinated against COVID-19 while 492(31.2%) were unvaccinated. Analysis of the temporal trends of occurrence of AMI post vaccination did not show a specific clustering of AMI at any particular time. On 30-day follow-up, all-cause mortality occurred in 201(12.7%) patients with adjusted odds of mortality being significantly lower in vaccinated group (adjusted odds ratio[aOR]: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.47-0.71). Similarly, at six months of follow-up, vaccinated AMI group had lower odds of mortality(aOR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.65) as compared to non-vaccinated group. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 vaccines have shown to decrease all-cause mortality at 30 days and six months following AMI.

Effect of Valproate Monotherapy on Thyroid Function Tests and Magnesium Levels in Children With Epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Antiseizure drug valproate alters thyroid functions. Magnesium is implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and it may affect the efficacy of valproate and thyroid functions. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of six months of valproate monotherapy on thyroid functions and serum magnesium levels. To study the association among these levels and the effects of clinicodemographic profile. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Children aged three to 12 years presenting with newly diagnosed epilepsy were enrolled. A venous blood sample was collected for estimation of thyroid function test (TFT), magnesium, and valproate levels at onset and after six months of valproate monotherapy. Valproate levels and TFT were analyzed by chemiluminescence and magnesium by colorimetric method. RESULTS: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) increased significantly from 2.14±1.64 µIU/ml at enrollment to 3.64±2.15 µIU/ml at six months (p<0.001), free thyroxine (FT4) decreased significantly (p<0.001). Serum magnesium (Mg) decreased from 2.30±0.29 mg/dl to 1.94±0.28 mg/dl (p<0.001). At six months, eight out of 45 (17.77%) participants had significantly increased mean TSH levels (p=0.008). Serum valproate levels were not associated significantly with TFT and Mg (p<0.05). There was no effect of age, sex, or repeat seizures on the measured parameters. CONCLUSION: The TFT and Mg levels are altered by six months of valproate monotherapy in children with epilepsy. Hence we suggest monitoring and supplementation if required.

The influence of calcium silicate-based cement on osseous healing: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the effect of commercially available calcium silicate-based bioactive endodontic cement (BEC) on treatment outcome when used as root repair material in human permanent teeth and to compare it with traditional materials. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched until June 2020. Randomized clinical studies and observational studies with a minimum 1-year follow-up and sample size of at least 20 were included. Risk of bias (ROB) was assessed using Cochrane's ROB tool and the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool. Results: Thirty-nine studies were included in the systematic review. Majority of the studies used mineral trioxide aggregate. The pooled success rate for BEC was estimated by a random-effects method as 90.49% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 88.4992.34, I2 = 54%). Eleven studies comparing BEC with traditional materials were included in the meta-analysis. The use of BEC significantly improved the treatment outcome when compared to traditional materials with odds ratio (OR) = 2.15 (95% CI: 1.57-2.96, I2 = 0.8%, P = 0.433). Conclusion: Very low-to-moderate-quality evidence suggests that the use of BEC as root repair material enhanced the treatment outcome. High-quality studies are required for the newer BEC to establish their clinical performance. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020211502.

Daily vs. monthly oral vitamin D3 for treatment of symptomatic vitamin D deficiency in infants: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Compare the efficacy and safety of daily vs. monthly oral vitamin D3 in treating symptomatic vitamin D deficiency in infants. METHODS: 90 infants with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency were randomized into Daily (D) [46 infants] and Bolus (B) [44 infants] groups to receive oral vitamin D3, daily (2000 IU/day) and bolus (60,000 IU/month) for three months respectively. Both groups received daily oral calcium @50 mg/kg/day. Serum calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol [25(OH)D], parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, urine calcium: creatinine ratio and radiological score were assessed at baseline, 4 and 12 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, 78 infants were available for evaluation of efficacy and safety of both regimens. RESULTS: Both regimens led to a statistically significant increase in Ca and P levels and fall in ALP and PTH levels from baseline to 4 and 12 weeks of therapy, with no inter-group difference. Infants in group D had statistically significant higher mean 25(OH)D levels as compared to group B at 4 weeks (group D 130.89 ± 43.43 nmol/L, group B - 108.25 ± 32.40 nmol/L; p - 0.012) and 12 weeks (group D - 193.69 ± 32.47 nmol/L, group B - 153.85 ± 33.60 nmol/L; p<0.001). Eight infants [group D - 6/41 (14.6 %); group B - 2/37 (5.4 %), p=0.268] developed mild asymptomatic hypercalcemia without hypercalciuria at 12 weeks that corrected spontaneously within a week. CONCLUSIONS: Both daily and monthly oral vitamin D3 in equivalent doses are efficacious and safe for treating symptomatic vitamin D deficiency in infants.

Gestational diabetes mellitus in early pregnancy amongst Asian Indian women: Evidence for poor pregnancy outcomes despite treatment.

AIM: To compare the pregnancy outcomes in women with gestational diabetes (GDM) based on the timing of diagnosis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2011 and September 2017 amongst 2638 Asian Indian pregnant women. The inclusion criteria included; singleton pregnancies having HbA1c <48 mmols/mol (6.5%) in the first trimester, GDM screening by 75 g OGTT using IADPSG criteria and delivery at our centre. The cohort was divided into 3 groups: Early GDM (E-GDM)-diagnosis <24 gestational weeks (Gw), Standard GDM (S-GDM)-diagnosis ≥24Gw, Non-GDM- No GDM ≥24 Gw. Multivariable logistic regression models compared the pregnancy outcomes between Non-GDM, S-GDM and E-GDM groups. A sub-group multivariable analysis was done amongst GDM women using gestational age at diagnosis both as a categorical and continuous variable. RESULTS: Compared to Non-GDM women, the odds were higher for premature birth, large for gestational age (LGA) babies, macrosomia, Neonatal ICU(NICU) admission and lower for normal vaginal delivery in the E-GDM group, but for the S-GDM group, the risk was higher for premature birth, LGA babies, NICU admission and induction of labour. Compared to GDM women in the 24-28 Gw category significantly higher odds for premature birth and LGA babies were observed in the <14 Gw category. A continuous increase of 19% odds for premature birth with every 4 weeks decrease in gestational age at GDM diagnosis was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Asian Indian women having a GDM diagnosis before 24Gw are at higher risk for adverse pregnancy events than those having diagnosis ≥24Gw or not having GDM.

Comparative evaluation of King Vision videolaryngoscope channeled and non-channeled blades with direct laryngoscope for intubation performance and skill retention by medical students: a randomized cross over two period study.

PURPOSE: A videolaryngoscope(VL) with an intubation conduit like KingVision channeled(KVC) blade may provide an added advantage over a non-channeled VL like a KingVision non-channeled (KVNC) blade and direct laryngoscope (DL) for acquiring and retention of intubation skills, especially in novices. METHODS: In this prospective two-period randomized crossover trial, one hundred medical students used three laryngoscopes KVC, KVNC and DL for intubation following standardized training with the study devices using a Laerdal Airway Management Trainer. After one month, all participants attempted intubation, in the same manner, using all devices. The duration of intubation, modified Cormack-Lehane (CL) grade, percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score, first-attempt success, number of attempts, ease of intubation and dental trauma was recorded. The retention of intubation skills after 1 month was also assessed on the same parameters. RESULTS: Median intubation times of KVC and DL were comparable and significantly better than KVNC (P < 0.001). The median POGO score was better with both videolaryngoscopes when compared with DL. The ease of intubation (P < 0.0012) and first-attempt success rate (P = 0.001) at the time '0' was significantly better with KVC compared to KVNC and DL. KVC fared better with respect to these intubation parameters during intubation after one month as well. CONCLUSION: KVC performed better in terms of time to intubation, success rate and ease of procedure as compared to KVNC and DL, both for acquisition and retention of skill. Hence, we advocate that KVC should be the preferred device over KVNC and DL for teaching intubation skills to novices.

Investigation of optimal planning strategy in gamma knife perfexion for vestibular schwannoma tumor using hybrid plan technique.

Purpose.Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for vestibular schwannoma (VS) is clinically challenging because of surrounding critical structures. We generated and compared the forward plan (FP), inverse plan (IP), and hybrid plan (HP) for the optimal planning strategy in Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKSRS) for vestibular schwannoma tumors (VS).Methods and materials. In this study, 51 planning scenarios of 17 patients with VS were planned for GKSRS using FP, IP, and HP in Leksell Gamma plan (LGP10.1) using the TMR10 algorithm. The planning images were obtained using the following MRI (GE, USA) scan parameters: T1W images-MPRAGE sequence, FOV-256 mm × 256 mm, matrix size-512 mm × 512 mm, and the slice thickness 1 mm. The total dose was prescribed12Gy and normalized at 50% isodose level.Results and discussion. The plan parameters were compared dosimetrically by maintaining FP as a base plan. The statistical analysis, including one-factor, repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni correction tests, were performed. The p-value for planning parameters such as brainstem dose, beam ON time, and gradient index significantly favored HP.Conclusion. Overall results show that HP is an efficient method for GKSRS of VS The p-value was less than 0.001 and statistically significant for various plan indices.

Sunlight Exposure vs Oral Vitamin D Supplementation for Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency in Infancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of sunlight exposure and oral vitamin D3 supplementation to achieve vitamin D sufficiency in infants at 6 months of age. DESIGN: Open-label randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Public hospital in Northern India (28.7°N). PARTICIPANT: Breastfed infants at 6-8 weeks of age. INTERVENTION: Randomized to receive sunlight exposure (40% body surface area for a minimum of 30 minutes/week) or oral vitamin D3 supplementation (400 IU/day) till 6 months of age. OUTCOME: Primary - proportion of infants having vitamin D sufficiency (>20 ng/mL). Secondary - proportion of infants developing vitamin D deficiency (<12ng/mL) and rickets in both the groups at 6 months of age. RESULTS: Eighty (40 in each group) infants with mean (SD) age 47.8 (4.5) days were enrolled. The proportion of infants with vitamin D sufficiency increased after intervention in the vitamin D group from 10.8% to 35.1% (P=0.01) but remained the same in sunlight group (13.9%) and was significant on comparison between both groups (P=0.037). The mean (SD) compliance rate was 72.9 (3.4) % and 59.7 (23.6) % in the vitamin D and sunlight group, respectively (P=0.01). The geometric mean (95% CI) serum 25(OH) D levels in the vitamin D and sunlight group were 16.23 (13.58-19.40) and 11.89 (9.93-14.23) ng/mL, respectively; (P=0.02), after adjusting baseline serum 25(OH)D with a geometric mean ratio of 1.36 (1.06-1.76). Two infants in sunlight group developed rickets. CONCLUSION: Oral vitamin D3 supplementation is more efficacious than sunlight in achieving vitamin D sufficiency in breastfed infants during the first 6 months of life due to better compliance.

A Cross-Sectional Study to Ascertain the Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Regional Anaesthesia Practices Amongst Anaesthesiologists of India.

Background and aims Regional anaesthesia has been advocated as a preferred modality during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID­19) pandemic, but pursuing regional anaesthesia during COVID-19 is challenging. Our cross-sectional survey aimed to analyze the challenges in conducting regional anaesthesia and the alterations in practices imposed by the COVID­19 pandemic across the nation. Material and methods The questionnaire was validated by seven experts. Following ethical approval and trial registration, this Google Forms-based survey was circulated to anaesthesiologists across the country via emails over 3 months (April 2021 to June 2021). Weekly reminders were sent to the non-responders till the desired sample size was attained, after which the survey was closed and responses were analyzed. Results Five hundred and thirty-two of 1100 anaesthesiologists completed the survey (48.3% response rate). Among the 532 respondents, 65.8% reported an increase in the use of regional anaesthesia due to the pandemic, with 77.4% reporting a change in practice. Almost 90% of the respondents used a dedicated operation theatre for all infected patients. Most respondents (75%) used disposable plastic drapes (75%) and full personal protective equipment (PPE) for COVID-19-positive patients during the procedure. However, using PPE resulted in poor vision due to fogging and multiple attempts and increased performance duration. Most respondents (74.4%) used gloves to maintain ultrasound probe sterility, while many other respondents (65.7%) used a sterile camera cover for the same. Many respondents ordered inflammatory markers during preoperative evaluation. Conclusion The present survey revealed that there was increased utilization of regional anaesthesia with increased utilization of PPE, sterility routines, and ordering of investigations. The use of PPE led to many challenges while performing regional anaesthesia. However, many deviations were identified from the accepted recommendations, and one needs to be aware of proper practices to achieve optimal patient outcomes and provider safety.

Nationwide impact of COVID-19 pandemic on postgraduate medical teaching, research, and mental stress: A cross-sectional online questionnaire-based survey.

Background and Aims: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected postgraduate medical education, training, and ongoing research work across specialties. Our survey aimed to analyze the effect of COVID-19 on challenges in pursuing research and academics and ascertain the stressors on residents across medical specialties. Material and Methods: The questionnaire was validated by 10 experts and following ethical approval, this google form-based survey was circulated to postgraduates across specialties across the country through social media platforms over 1 month (22 August 2020 to 21 September 2020). On clicking the link, the participants received brief information regarding the survey followed by the questionnaire. Weekly reminders were sent to the nonresponders till the desired sample size was attained, after which the survey was closed, and responses were analyzed. Results: Four hundred and nineteen of 900 residents completed the survey (46.6% response rate). Majority (88.8%) admitted that the inability to conduct the thesis and break in academics caused a significant amount of mental stress upon them. Though classes had resumed through online platforms for most residents (75.4%), the residents reported that lack of bedside learning (65.4%), inadequate progress tests (26.4%), and delay in thesis topic allotment (84.6% among those not allotted thesis) correlated with increased stress. Fear of extension of the course (53%; P = 0.019) and getting infected with COVID-19 (46.6%; P = 0.019) were most cited reasons for significant stress in most of the residents. Many residents (26%) were unable to sleep properly and 22.1% were unable to concentrate on academics. Majority believed that extension of the submission deadline, reduction in sample size, and change in topic would help to complete thesis. Conclusion: The present survey revealed that there is a major impediment to research and academics of medical postgraduates during COVID-19 pandemic which has markedly increased their stress levels.

The Trend and Prediction of Cervical Cancer Incidence in Delhi, India: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to assess the trend of age-standardised incidence rate (ASIRs) of cervical cancer, standardised median age at diagnosis, and projection of cervical cancer incidence rate and the number of new cases up to 2030. The projections help in making strategies for resource allocation to circumvent the future burden. METHODS: The data were extracted from the Delhi population-based cancer registry from 1990 to 2014. Joinpoint regression analysis was applied to ASIRs to assess the trend. The natural cubic splines age-period-cohort (APC) model was fitted to project the incidence rate and incidence cases. The trend of standardised median age at diagnosis and percentage of cervical cancer to total women cancer was also assessed using regression analysis. Projections of new cases are decomposed into three components aging, the structure of the population, and age-specific incidence rate. RESULTS: The age-standardised incidence rate of cervical cancer decreased with an annual decline at a rate of 2.98% (95% CI -3.48 to -2.47) from 1990 to 2014. The standardised median age at diagnosis showed an upward trend with an average annual increase of 0.167 per year and the median age increased by 4.18 years during 25-years period, this change was due to the shifting of the peak from 40-44 in 1990 to 60-64 in 2014. The APC model revealed ASIRs would decline by 43.8% in 2030 compared to average ASIRs 2010-2014, albeit a net 12% increase in the incidence cases. An increase in incidence cases is primarily attributed to the aging of the population and population  growth by 38.87% and 33.84% respectively.  The trend analysis of  cervical cancer ASIRs in pre (< 50 years) and post menopause (≥ 50 years) showed a decreasing trend. However, the ratio of cervical to total women increased over time from 1:1 in 1990 to 2:3 in 2014. CONCLUSION: The declining trend in ASIRs was observed in Delhi and will continue to decrease up to 2030.  The burden of the number of new cases of cervical cancer showed an upward trend primarily due to the aging of the population and shifting of population structure. To counter this big challenge a cost-effective vaccination for vulnerable populations, community-based screening programs, and awareness about cervical cancer prevention might help in eliminating this preventable cancer.

Is HbA1c in the first trimester associated with adverse outcomes among pregnant Asian Indian women without gestational diabetes?

AIMS: The aim of this study is to determine the association of elevated HbA1c in the first trimester (HbA1c-FT) with adverse events among pregnant Asian Indian women without gestational diabetes (GDM). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 1618 pregnant women who delivered at a single urban tertiary care center and had HbA1c-FT estimation between January 2011 and September 2017. Those with GDM according to a 75-g OGTT after 24 gestational weeks were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed the association between elevated HbA1c-FT and adverse events. RESULTS: At a cutoff of ≥37 mmol/mol (5.5%), HbA1c-FT was associated with preterm birth at <37 gestational weeks (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.10, 95% CI 1.11-3.98). There was a continuum of risk for primary caesarean delivery with higher HbA1c-FT levels (adjusted OR per 5-mmol/mol (0.5%) increase in HbA1c-FT for primary caesarean delivery: 1.27, 95% CI 1.06-1.52). In the crude analysis, gestational hypertension was associated with HbA1c-FT, but not after adjustment for confounding factors. HbA1c-FT was not associated with other adverse events (macrosomia, large for gestational age babies, or other neonatal complications). CONCLUSIONS: Even without GDM, the results suggest an association of HbA1c-FT with preterm birth and primary caesarian delivery among Asian Indian women.