ABSTRACT
Objective: To describe the profile of child sexual abuse (CSA) reported to a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A retrospective analysis of CSA reported in children aged below 18 years from January, 2019 to June, 2022. Results: Out of the 231 cases of sexual abuse reported, 115 (49.8%) were children below 18 years. Most of the victims were children from 10 to 15 years (37.4%), and there were only two male victims. In 89.6%, the perpetrator was known to the victim. Revictimization was seen in 31%. The reported perpetrators were friends (27%), neighbors (34.8%), strangers (10.4%), or fathers (7.8%). Penetrative abuse was seen in 58.3% of reports. External injuries were seen in 6.96%. Eight victims were pregnant and HIV screening was positive in one victim. Conclusion: Early identification of CSA is important to prevent revictimization. Children from all age groups can be victims of CSA. Perpetrators can hail from all walks of life of the children.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the risk of premature atherosclerosis in children with transfusiondependent thalassemia (TDT) compared to controls by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and correlating it with clinical and biochemical parameters. Methods: Case-control study among children aged 2 to 15 years. Results: Significantly higher CIMT values were observed across all age groups. Mean (SD) CIMT in controls were 0.27(0.07) mm, 0.39 (0.03) mm, and 0.46 (0.05) mm in 2 to 5 years, 6 to 10 years, and 11 to 15 years age groups respectively, as against 0.43 (0.08) mm, 0.55 (0.07) mm and 0.63 (0.08) mm in cases in similar age groups (P<0.001). Mean triglycerides and liver enzymes were significantly elevated in cases. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that older age group and higher serum ferritin levels, but not dyslipidemia, were significantly associated with high CIMT. Conclusion: Children with TDT are at increased risk for premature atherosclerosis.