Pediatric Cutaneous Emergencies and their Outcome: Study from a Tertiary Care Center in South India.

BACKGROUND: Skin problems are commonly encountered in the pediatric emergency department (PED). Although there are a few studies on the prevalence and spectrum of skin conditions in children attending the PED, only limited information is available on the outcome of the children with skin-related ailments requiring hospitalization. AIM: To study the clinical profile of skin manifestations in children presenting to the PED over a period of one year and assess the impact of skin lesions on the clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All children <16 years of age attending the PED were screened and children with skin lesions were referred to the dermatologist for further evaluation, and those admitted were followed up until discharge. Children with skin lesions were categorized into seven subsets based on their diagnosis. Outcomes evaluated were duration of hospital stay, associated systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and mortality. RESULTS: Of the 24,324 patients screened, 203 (0.83%) had skin lesions, of whom 158 (77.83%) were discharged from the PED. Forty five (22.16%) patients required admission of whom 2 (0.99%) died. Inflammatory disorders were the most common, 102 (50.24%), followed by infections in 91 (44.82%) patients. Among the hospitalized patients, 25 (55.6%) had SIRS, which included infections in 14 (56%), vasculitis in 5 (20%), and urticaria in 3 (12%) patients. Two patients with SIRS died and the causes were purpura fulminans and febrile exanthem of probable viral etiology. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the spectrum of pediatric cutaneous emergencies and their outcome. A subset of patients can present with severe skin ailments and SIRS in whom early diagnosis and prompt treatment can impact the outcome.

Impact of pre-hospital care on the outcome of children arriving with agonal breathing to a pediatric emergency service in South India.

BACKGROUND: Data on the prehospital interventions received by critically ill children at arrival to Paediatric Emergency Services (PES) is limited in developing countries. This study aims to describe the pre-hospital care scenario, transport and their impact on outcome in non-traumatic, acutely ill children presenting in PES with agonal breathing. METHODS: Prospective observational study done on children aged below 15 years arriving in PES with agonal breathing due to non-trauma related causes. RESULTS: Out of 75 children studied, 69% were infants. The duration of illness among 65% of them (75) was less than 3 days. Majority of them (81%) had received treatment prior to arrival. Government sector physicians (72%), half of them (51%) being pediatricians were the major treating doctors. 37% of the children had arrived to the Emergency in an ambulance. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was given to 27% on arrival in PES. Other interventions included fluid boluses to correct shock (92%) and inotrope infusion (56%). Sepsis (24%) and pneumonia (24%) were the most common diagnoses. Out of 75, 57 (76%) children who were stabilized and shifted to PICU and among them 27 (47%) survived to discharge. Normal blood pressure (p=0.0410) and non-requirement of CPR (0.0047) and inotropic infusion (0.0459) in PES were associated with a higher chance of survival. CONCLUSION: 36% (27/75) of children who arrived to our PES with agonal breathing survived to hospital discharge. Survival was significantly better among those who did not need CPR.

A randomized non-inferiority clinical study to assess post-exposure prophylaxis by a new purified vero cell rabies vaccine (Rabivax-S) administered by intramuscular and intradermal routes.

BACKGROUND: Rabies is a 100% fatal disease but preventable with vaccines and immunoglobulins. We have developed a new purified vero cell rabies vaccine (Rabivax-S) and evaluated its safety and immunogenicity in post-exposure prophylaxis by intramuscular (IM) and intradermal (ID) routes. METHODS: This was a randomized active-controlled non-inferiority study in 180 individuals (age 5years and above) with suspected rabies exposure (90 each with WHO Category II and Category III exposures). The participants received either Rabivax-S (1mL IM; five doses), Rabivax-S (0.1mL ID; eight doses) or purified chick embryo cell vaccine (PCEC, Rabipur®) (1mL IM; five doses). The IM doses were given on Day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28 while the ID doses were given on days 0, 3, 7 and 28. Category III patients also received a human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) on Day 0. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded with diary cards till day 42. Rabies neutralizing antibody levels were measured on day 0, 7, 14, 28 and 42. RESULTS: In both the category II and III patients, the geometric mean concentration (GMC) ratios of Rabivax-S IM and Rabivax-S ID groups to PCEC IM were more than 1, thus proving the non-inferiority. GMCs were similar or higher in Rabivax-S groups at all the time points. Seroresponse against rabies (RFFIT titre⩾0.5IU/mL) was achieved in all participants. Mostly mild local and systemic adverse events were reported across the three groups and all resolved without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Rabivax-S was well tolerated and showed immunogenicity comparable to a licensed rabies vaccine by both IM and ID routes in post-exposure prophylaxis. Registry No.: CTRI/2012/11/003135.