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Background: Diarrhoea still continues to be a major cause of hospitalization and death in under fives. Electrolyte disturbances play an important role in the associated morbidity and mortality. Acute renal failure is one of the important complications of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children. Early intervention and proper fluid replacement may lessen this risk. This study was designed to find out the incidence of acute gastroenteritis and the status of associated electrolyte derangements and renal involvement.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted at KIMS, Bengaluru in which 117 children from the age of 1 month to 5 years with acute diarrhea were included based on a predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic profile of the patients, details of diarrhea, clinical examination and accompanying degree of dehydration (defined as per WHO criteria) were recorded. Serum electrolytes along with renal parameters were investigated.Results: Total 117 children with acute gastroenteritis were enrolled in the study as per the inclusion criteria which constituted 5% of total paediatric admissions. Children aged 1-12 months had the highest incidence of diarrhea (50%). Male to female ratio is 1.3:1. 65% had some dehydration, 19% no dehydration and 16% had severe dehydration. Isonatremia was seen in 58% followed by hyponatremia in 35% and hypernatremia in only 7%. 83% had isokalemia, hypokalemia in 12%, hyperkalemia in 5%. Levels of serum sodium and potassium decreased with the severity of dehydration. Serum urea and creatinine were significantly high in severe dehydration (p value 0.001). Out of 28 children who were given diluted ORS before admission, majority had hyponatremia (39%) and all of them who received concentrated ORS had hypernatremia.Conclusions: Hyponatremic dehydration is the second most common type of dehydration next to isonatremic dehydration, but it is more common in children who took diluted ORS. Increased awareness regarding ORS preparation may help in preventing electrolyte imbalance in AGE. The levels of serum sodium and potassium decreased and urea and creatinine increased with severity of dehydration. Measurements of serum electrolytes and renal parameters early can help to predict the complications due to AGE and may help in the prevention of diarrhea related complications in children.
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A 3 month old infant exclusively breast fed presented with vomiting and poor weight gain with purpuric and echymotic patches all over the body. The child also had hyperpigmentation over knuckles and icterus. Laboratory investigations revealed severe dimorphic anemia with thrombocytopenia, elevated bilirubin and LDH levels and severe vitamin B12 deficiency. Following vitamin B12 supplementation there was improvement in well-being including feed tolerance, icterus resolved and in follow up lab studies there was improvement in hemoglobin and platelet counts along with reduced bilirubin levels. Through this case report we want to emphasize the possibility of vitamin B12 deficiency presenting as hemolytic anemia and psuedothrombotic microangiopathy.
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Background: Dengue, an endemic disease in most subtropical and tropical regions of the world is causing severe epidemics in India. An alarming rise of dengue has also been seen in India during the recent years. Majority of dengue viral infections are self-limiting, but complications may cause high morbidity and mortality. Present study was undertaken with an objective of describing various clinical presentations as noted in our cohort of dengue patients and to evaluate the outcome of dengue fever.Methods: This retrospective study included all confirmed dengue cases below 18 years age admitted to Paediatric department of KIMS, Bengaluru over a period of 1 year in 2019. Medical records were reviewed and analysed. Those diagnosed to be positive for dengue serology (NS1 or IgM) were included in our study. Dengue was classified according to the WHO guidelines into 2 groups, Dengue fever (without/with warning signs) and Severe Dengue. Clinical features, haematological, biochemical, radiological parameters, management and the outcome were assessed.Results: Out of 441 patients enrolled, 79% had non-severe dengue and 21% severe dengue. The commonest age of presentation was above 10 years with mean age of 8.68±5.25 years. Male to female ratio was 1.7:1. 60% presented within 4 to 7 days of illness (mean 4.26±1.72 days). Majority presented with fever (88%). 47% had vomiting and 31% abdominal pain. Bleeding manifestations were seen in 18%. Dengue serology was positive for NS1Ag (58%), IgM (21%), mixed (21%). Thrombocytopenia and leukopenia seen in 82% and 39.45% respectively. The association between dengue serology and platelet count was statistically significant (p value 0.001). 46% had raised SGPT. 31% had evidence of plasma leakage. The case fatality rate was 0.2%.Conclusions: High grade fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding manifestations with normal or low platelet count were the presenting features. Early diagnosis, monitoring and prompt supportive management can reduce mortality.
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Background: Febrile seizure is the most common type of seizure disorder that occurs in children aged 6-60 months. Recurrences are common. This study was conducted to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical profile and laboratory parameters of children presenting with febrile seizure in a teaching hospital.Methods: This was a descriptive retrospective study among children presenting with febrile seizure admitted to KIMS, Bengaluru from March (2018-2019). Children between six months to five years were included in the study while patients with prior episodes of afebrile seizures, abnormal neurodevelopment and not meeting the age criteria were excluded. Patient’s demographic and clinical data were collected from the in-patient records and analysed.Results: Among 60 children with febrile seizures were enrolled in our study with highest prevalence in males (58%) and amongst 13-24 months age group (37%). Majority (20%) presented in the monsoon season (June) and in the morning hours (43%). Simple febrile seizures and complex febrile seizures were observed in 60% and 40% respectively. Majority (73%) who developed first episode of seizure were below 24 months ago with mean age of 18.71±11.50 months. 42% had recurrence and was significantly associated with first episode of febrile seizures at age ≤1 year and family history of seizures. Upper respiratory tract infections were the commonest cause of fever. Anaemia and leucocytosis were seen in 72% and 70% cases respectively.Conclusions: Febrile seizure was observed predominantly in children below two years, simple febrile seizure being the commonest. Recurrence was common and significantly associated with the first episode of febrile seizure at the age one year or below and family history. Majority had anaemia which showed that iron deficiency anaemia could be a risk factor. Leucocytosis was present in most which could be either due to underlying infection or due to the stress of seizure itself.
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Background: Child abuse is one of the problems in our society which still needs to be highlighted for general public in our country. It is a pressing human right issue and public health concern and the efforts to assess the awareness and mass education is very limited. Current study aimed to access knowledge and attitude for child abuse among parents attending a tertiary care hospital.Methods: The study was conducted amongst parents visiting pediatric OPD at Kempegowda institute of medical sciences, Bengaluru. Total 200 Parents were required to answer a series of questionnaire and then was statically analyzed.Results: It was seen that majority of parents lack knowledge regarding child abuse, 25% of parents believe that child abuse is just sexual violence, 23% parents thought that stubborn children can only be handled by physical punishment, 46% parents believed that only a girl child can be a victim of sexual abuse and only 19% had firm belief that boys can also be victim, 45% of parents believed that it is necessary to discuss with the child before making important decision concerning them, 35% parents were against the corporal punishment.Conclusions: There is a need to evolve strategies to protect the children from abuse and the measures should address both boys and girls and minimize impact.
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Background: Dengue is a mosquito borne disease of significant morbidity and mortality. Dengue viral infection has been shown to be associated with electrolyte abnormalities and renal dysfunction. It is necessary to have a thorough understanding about electrolyte disturbances in Dengue, so as to predict, diagnose and treat them accordingly. The aim and objective of this study is to study electrolyte disturbances in dengue fever and its correlation with severity of dengue fever.Methods: This study was performed in a tertiary care centre in Bangalore , India. The study was a prosspective observational study. 200 Patients diagnosed with Dengue were enrolled for the study. Patients demographic data, clinical history, electrolyte values were recorded and analysed.Results: In our study majority of patients belonged to 5-12 years age group ie 47%. Fever was found to be the most common presentation in 196 patients (98%) followed by myalgia in 142 patients (71%), headache in 102 patients (51%), skin rash in 43 patients (21.5%). The mean value of serum sodium observed was 133.69 mEq/L and of serum potassium was 3.58 mEq/L and there was positive and significant correlation between difference in serum sodium and potassium levels with severity of dengue fever.Conclusions: Dyselectrolytemia is more common in dengue fever. Serum electrolytes testing early is very important in dengue patients during management so that if abnormalities are found, they can be appropriately managed as some of these abnormalities may lead to increased severity as well as mortality.
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Background: Global or regional evidence showed maternal height as a strong predictor of child survival. However, there is limited information that confirms the intergenerational effect of short maternal height on the risk of offspring mortality in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association of maternal height with neonatal morbidity and outcome.Methods: In this analysis authors took data of 100 women who delivered in Kempegowda Hospital in the year 2018 including anthropometry of the mother at admission, anthropometry of the newborn, NICU admissions. Neonatal outcome was assessed by birth weight, anthropometry and NICU admissions against maternal stature which was stratified into 4 groups.Results: Comparison of mean birth weight, head circumference and length showed significant relation with maternal height (p<0.001).Conclusions: Findings should draw the attention of the programme and policymakers to focus on improving maternal nutrition for better offspring nutrition, health and survival.
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Background: Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of acute illness and hospitalization in young children. There is limited role for diagnostic laboratory or radiographic tests in typical cases of bronchiolitis. Several large recent trials have revealed lack of efficacy of either bronchodilators or corticosteroids. Novel treatment like hypertonic saline and adrenaline nebulizations need to be evaluated for their efficacy.Methods: In this retrospective case control study, we included children aged between 6 months to 2 years admitted for bronchiolitis between August 2017 till July 2018. Each of the 45 children treated with adrenaline nebulisation was assigned a child who was given hypertonic saline nebulization only matched for age and duration of symptoms.Results: 45 children given adrenaline nebulization and 45 children given only hypertonic saline nebulization were compared. Mean duration of stay for children treated with adrenaline nebulization was 5.3 days and those given hypertonic saline was 4.8 days.' p value of 0.29.Conclusions:' Adrenaline nebulization did not shorten hospital stay in children admitted for bronchiolitis as compared to children given hypertonic saline.
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Background: Despite improvements in medical care provided during pregnancy to diabetic mothers, the cardiac complications in their infants are still more frequent than in infants of general population.Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed between the years 2017-2018 on two groups of newborns, recording details of outcome of live born babies born to diabetic and non-diabetic mothers.Results: Data were extracted from medical records, and the descriptive and analytical statistics of this information was duly applied. in a total of 50 studied infants, 40 cases (80%) of cardiovascular anomalies have been diagnosed. Most of the cardiac anomaly was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The incidence of cardiovascular anomalies in infants of diabetic mothers is significantly higher than the infants of non-diabetic mothers (P=0.002). The type of maternal diabetes (diabetes mellitus, overt or gestational diabetes) did not bring about any significant difference in the incidence of cardiac malformations in infants (P=0.406).Conclusions: The incidence of cardiovascular anomalies in infants of diabetic mothers is significantly higher than the infants of non-diabetic mothers. Many of the infants were asymptomatic and therefore clinical examination and follow up in infants of diabetic mothers is important.
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Background: Magnesium is the fourth most abundant cation in the human body and the second most abundant intracellular cation after potassium. A potential relationship between low magnesium levels and increased mortality has been suggested in the literature. The objectives were to detect prevalence of hypomagnesemia in critically ill children, its association with sepsis and to correlate this with mortality.Methods: This study was an observational study done on 100 children who met the inclusion criteria, admitted to the PICU of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Patients under the study were managed and treated according to their clinical status and supportive traditional treatment.Results: Prevalence of hypomagnesemia in critically ill pediatric patients was 53%. In this study, majority of the cases admitted to PICU were dengue (19%) and bronchopneumonia (15%) which were significantly associated with hypomagnesemia as p value was less than 0.05. As regard prognosis, Mg had an AUC of 0.576 for prediction of mortality whereas the AUC for PRISM score was 0.811. Logistic regression analysis showed that hypomagnesemia is a significant predictor for mortality among critically ill children (p value=0.028) and OR=3.180 (0.854-7.965).Conclusions: Present study has found high prevalence of hypomagnesemia in critically ill patients. Hypomagnesemia was associated with a higher mortality rate in critically ill patients and commonly associated with infections and respiratory diseases. Hypomagnesemia indicated poor outcome and higher mortality rates in critically ill patients.
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Background: Preeclampsia is being increasingly recognized as two different entities: early-onset preeclampsia occurring at less than 34 weeks of gestation, and late-onset disease occurring at 34 or more weeks of gestation. Early-onset and late-onset pre-eclampsia are found to have different implications for the mother and neonate. The aim of this study is to compare the risk factors, maternal and fetal outcomes in early (<34 weeks) versus late (≥34weeks) onset preeclampsia.Methods: 208 patients diagnosed with pre-eclampsia in Chettinad Academy of Research and Education over a period of three years (From January 2014 to December 2016) were retrospectively studied. Patients were classified as early onset and late onset pre-eclampsia based on the gestational age of onset. Data on risk factors, maternal and fetal outcomes were collected and analyzed using Chi Square and Fisher’s test and compared.Results: The overall preeclampsia rate was 6.3%. Early onset and late onset were 34.6% and 65.3% respectively and the rate increased with increasing gestational age.35.3% of patients with late onset preeclampsia and 55.6% patients of early onset type required more than one drug which is a statistically significant difference. Proteinuria more than 3gm/l/day was significantly more in late onset preeclampsia than in early onset preeclampsia. 55.5% of patients with early onset pre-eclampsia required MgSO4 when compared to 17.4%. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of caesarean section (61.1% vs 73.5%). Altered coagulation profile was significantly more in early onset preeclampsia (11.1%). The incidence of oligohydramnios, SGA and low APGAR at 5 minutes of birth were significantly high in early onset pre-eclampsia when compared to late onset type.Conclusions: Patients with early onset pre-eclampsia are found to have significantly higher rates of specific maternal and fetal morbidity when compared to the late onset type.