Oral cyclophosphamide therapy in 100 children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome: experience from a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Oral cyclophosphamide (CYP) is an important therapeutic agent in treatment of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome having a steroid-dependent (SD) or frequent relapsing (FR) course. This retrospective observational study aimed to determine response to oral CYP and factors associated with positive response in these patients. METHODS: We studied 100 children (male; 75) with FR (19%) and SD (81%) NS treated with CYP in the Pediatric Nephrology clinic. Responders were defined as children in whom steroids were stopped for at least 6 months following CYP and factors affecting response were analysed. Relapse-free survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Median age at onset of NS was 3 years (IQR 2-5.2). Median age at CYP was 5.7 years (IQR 3.7-7.9). Fifty percent of patients were in the responder group at 6 months of CYP. Relapse-free survival post CYP therapy was 31% at 1 year, 11% at 2 years. Factors predicting good response were age at onset of NS > 3 years with 61.2% response at 6 months (p = 0.028) and older age at CYP initiation (> 5 years) with 61% response (p = 0.008). Multivariate regression analysis showed age at start of CYP > 5 years was an independent factor for good response (p = 0.044, OR = 2.903, CI -1.03 to 8.18). CONCLUSIONS: Judicious selection of patients, especially with age of onset of NS more than 3 years and initiation of CYP after age of 5 years, can predict better response in this group of patents.

Online Learning and Residents' Acquisition of Mechanical Ventilation Knowledge: Sequencing Matters.

OBJECTIVE: Rapid advancements in medicine and changing standards in medical education require new, efficient educational strategies. We investigated whether an online intervention could increase residents' knowledge and improve knowledge retention in mechanical ventilation when compared with a clinical rotation and whether the timing of intervention had an impact on overall knowledge gains. DESIGN: A prospective, interventional crossover study conducted from October 2015 to December 2017. SETTING: Multicenter study conducted in 33 PICUs across eight countries. SUBJECTS: Pediatric categorical residents rotating through the PICU for the first time. We allocated 483 residents into two arms based on rotation date to use an online intervention either before or after the clinical rotation. INTERVENTIONS: Residents completed an online virtual mechanical ventilation simulator either before or after a 1-month clinical rotation with a 2-month period between interventions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Performance on case-based, multiple-choice question tests before and after each intervention was used to quantify knowledge gains and knowledge retention. Initial knowledge gains in residents who completed the online intervention (average knowledge gain, 6.9%; SD, 18.2) were noninferior compared with those who completed 1 month of a clinical rotation (average knowledge gain, 6.1%; SD, 18.9; difference, 0.8%; 95% CI, -5.05 to 6.47; p = 0.81). Knowledge retention was greater following completion of the online intervention when compared with the clinical rotation when controlling for time (difference, 7.6%; 95% CI, 0.7-14.5; p = 0.03). When the online intervention was sequenced before (average knowledge gain, 14.6%; SD, 15.4) rather than after (average knowledge gain, 7.0%; SD, 19.1) the clinical rotation, residents had superior overall knowledge acquisition (difference, 7.6%; 95% CI, 2.01-12.97;p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating an interactive online educational intervention prior to a clinical rotation may offer a strategy to prime learners for the upcoming rotation, augmenting clinical learning in graduate medical education.

Utilization of the renal angina index in PICU of a developing country for prediction of subsequent severe acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is independently associated with worsened morbidity and increased mortality in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). AKI risk score, termed renal angina index (RAI) is used in developed countries to predict subsequent severe AKI. Very few studies have investigated application of RAI in the PICU of a developing country. This prospective observational study aimed to predict severe subsequent AKI in children admitted to PICU using RAI. METHODS: Over 1 year, children admitted to PICU aged 1 month-18 years old, with no previous kidney disease, were included. RAI was assessed from 8 to 12 h of PICU admission (day 0). RAI was calculated from product of the renal risk and renal injury score. Renal angina positivity was defined as RAI ≥ 8. On day 3, serum creatinine was estimated and estimated glomerular filtrration rate (eGFR) calculated. RAI was correlated with presence/absence of subsequent (day 3) severe AKI. RAI positivity was also correlated with duration of PICU stay, need for dialysis, mechanical ventilation, and mortality. RESULTS: RAI positivity was seen in 16.7% cases, of which 36.2% developed AKI at 4 days vs. 2.3% in RAI-negative cases (p < 0.001). Mean duration of PICU stay in the RAI-positive group was 7.19 ± 5.13 days vs. 4.72 ± 2.71 days in the RAI-negative group (p < 0.001). Mortality was seen in 31.9% of RAI-positive cases vs. 2% in RAI-negative cases (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RAI could be used as a simple and important bedside tool to predict patients at risk of severe AKI.

Effectiveness of interventional package on body image perception and self-esteem among adolescents - A pilot study.

Background of the Study: In adolescence various physical and psychological changes, impact their overall perception that leads to either satisfaction or dissatisfaction with body image. Adolescents can suffer from body image dissatisfaction. Counselling sessions, video and documentaries can be used to improve the body image concerns. So, this study aims to evaluate the impact of interventional package on the body image perception and self-esteem among adolescents. Materials and Methods: The sampling technique used to enrol 65 adolescents was simple random. Body image was assessed in the form of affective and behavioural body image perception. Two different structured scales were used to assess affective and behavioural body image perception. Pre-test was conducted to assess the body image perception among adolescents; then, documentary was shown in the form of intervention 1 and the post-test 1 was taken, again booklet was distributed as intervention 2 and post-test -2 was taken. Results: A statistically significant improvement in the satisfaction with weight, height, complexion, hair, teeth, buttocks, thigh and moustache, after the use of interventional package. In behavioural perception of body image, no significant association was found in pre-test, post-test 1 and 2, there is statistically significant improvement in self-esteem of adolescents, as P = 0.03. Conclusion: Interventional package in the form of documentary and booklet is useful in improving body image perception among adolescents. Significant improvement was seen in perception related to certain body parts.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Children Requiring Noninvasive Ventilation (NIV).

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical profile and outcome of children requiring noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in a PICU. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted in the PICU at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Punjab. Children (1 mo-18 y) with moderate-to-severe respiratory distress who received NIV during one-year period were included. Failure was defined as the need for endotracheal intubation. The patients received bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) with inspiratory and expiratory positive airway pressure (8-18 cm H2O and 4-8 cm), respectively and indigenous continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) were included. Vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate) and gasometric parameters (pH, HCO3, pCO2, pO2) were recorded. RESULTS: Out of total 115 patients, 81.7% were successfully treated by NIV whereas 18.3% constituted NIV failure group. Two types of NIV were used, 65.2% were started on BiPAP and 34.8% on indigenous bubble CPAP. Most common diagnosis was tropical fever (24.3%), bronchopneumonia (20%), and sepsis with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (7.8%). Commonest indication of NIV was respiratory distress (70.4%) and prevention of postextubation respiratory failure (20.8%). Seven patients (6.9%) died during the study. NIV failure is higher in children with sepsis with MODS, abnormal blood gas (acidosis), and moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that NIV is an effective form of respiratory support for children with acute respiratory distress/failure. Sepsis with MODS, acidosis and ARDS (moderate to severe) were predictors of NIV failure. Careful patient selection may help in judicious use of NIV in PICU.

Role of montelukast in multitrigger wheezers attending chest clinic in Punjab, India.

BACKGROUND: Wheeze is seen in 40% of preschool children, one-third of these may develop recurrent wheeze. Montelukast is an oral, once a day, easy to give therapy but there is no definite evidence to support its use in a recent meta-analysis. Present study was done to evaluate role of daily montelukast and various factors affecting the outcome after therapy in multitrigger wheeze (MTW). METHODS: A prospective study conducted in Pediatric chest clinic over 18 months at DMCH, Ludhiana. Children from 6 months to 5 years, diagnosed cases of MTW were started on montelukast. Diagnosis based on symptoms of recurrent wheeze triggered by various allergens/precipitants was made by pediatrician in charge of chest clinic. Children were followed up at 1 and 3 months. They were labeled as controlled, partially controlled, or uncontrolled as per global initiative for asthma guidelines. Data were used to compare the outcome related to various factors. RESULTS: Total 139 out of 150 children came for regular follow-up. At the end of 3 months, 94 (67.7%) were controlled, 8 (5.7%) partially controlled, and 37 (26.6%) children remained uncontrolled on montelukast. Factors associated with poor control were onset of symptoms at younger age (<6 months of age), family history of allergies, prior multiple visits or hospitalizations due to MTW, use of MDI in the past. No significant side effects were reported by parents. CONCLUSION: Symptomatically two-third of children became better after starting montelukast. There were few factors which resulted in poorer control in subset of patients.

Comparison of Clinical Features and Outcome of Dengue Fever and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated With COVID-19 (MIS-C).

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical and laboratory features that differentiate dengue fever patients from MIS-C patients and determine their outcomes. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was done at a tertiary care teaching institute. We enrolled all hospitalized children aged 1 month - 18 years and diagnosed with either MIS-C and/or dengue fever according to WHO criteria between June and December, 2020. Clinical and laboratory features and outcomes were recorded on a structured proforma. RESULTS: During the study period 34 cases of MIS-C and 83 cases of Dengue fever were enrolled. Mean age of MIS-C cases (male, 86.3%) was 7.89 (4.61) years. MIS-C with shock was seen in 15 cases (44%), MIS-C without shock in 17 cases (50%) and Kawasaki disease-like presentation in 2 cases (6%). Patients of MIS-C were younger as compared to dengue fever (P=0.002). Abdominal pain and erythematous rash were more common in dengue fever. Of the inflammatory markers, mean C reactive protein was higher in MIS-C patients [100.2 (85.1) vs 16.9 (29.3) mg/dL] (P<0.001). In contrast, serum ferritin levels were higher in dengue fever patients (P=0.03). Mean hospital stay (patient days) was longer in MIS- C compared to dengue fever (8.6 vs 6.5 days; P=0.014). CONCLUSION: Clinical and laboratory features can give important clues to differentiate dengue fever and MIS-C and help initiate specific treatment.

Intracranial hemorrhage in late hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical profile and outcome in late hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN) with particular reference to intracranial hemorrhage. Infants (n = 42) presenting with late HDN from January 1998 to December 2001 were studied. Majority (76%) were in the age group of 1-3 months. All were term babies on exclusive breast-feeding and none received vitamin K at birth. 71% patients presented with intracranial hemorrhage, commonest site being intracerebral and multiple ICH. Visible external bleeding was noted in 1/3rd of patients only. Three patients expired. Late HDN is still an important cause of mortality and morbidity in developing countries where vitamin K prophylaxis is not routinely practiced. Isolated intracranial hemorrhage is a common mode of presentation.

Impact of bed side communication with fathers on their anxiety about newborn.

This study assessed the impact of bedside communication with fathers (N = 100) on their anxiety about sick neonates admitted in SCNU. The control group consisted of fathers of 100 sick babies communicated outside the unit. Anxiety was measured in both the groups on day 1 (at admission) and day 7, by using 5 point Likert Scale. At the time of admission there was no difference in the level of anxiety between the study group and controls (p >0.05; Mann Whitney test). There was a statistically significant difference (p <0.01; Mann Whitney test) in the level of anxiety between the study and control group at 7 days. When compared within the group, the anxiety in the fathers of study group was significantly less (p <0.01) at 7 days than at admission. In the control group there was no such significant difference. To conclude, bed side communication with fathers of admitted neonates reduces their anxiety significantly.

Pulmonary functions in normal school children in the age group of 6-15 years in north India.

OBJECTIVE: Lung function tests have become an integral part of assessment of pulmonary disease. As few studies on pulmonary function tests have been carried out in young children in India, the study was carried out in normal urban and rural school children in Ludhiana district of North India to determine pulmonary functions in the age group 6-15 years and to find its correlation with regards to age, sex, height and weight. METHODS: The study group included 600 normal children between 6-15 years age from different urban and rural schools in the region. A preformed questionnaire was interviewed and detailed general physical and systemic examination was done. Pulmonary function tests were measured by using Micromedical Gold standard fully computerized portable auto spirometer (Superspiro Cat No. SU 6000). FINDINGS: The present study shows, all the three independent variables (age, weight and height) have linear positive correlation with lung function parameters, both for boys and girls. Lung function values in boys were significantly higher as compared to that of girls. Urban children had higher lung function parameters than rural children except IRV, FEF(25%). Among all anthropometric parameters, height was the most independent variable with maximum coefficient of correlation. CONCLUSION: Equations derived from the present study for estimation of the expected values of lung function will help to interpret the observed lung function values in children of North India.