Demographic trend in dengue infection.

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: Dengue fever is one of the most common causes of undifferentiated tropical fevers in hospitalized children across India with the highest recorded morbidity and mortality in children less than 15 years. Although common, there is still a knowledge gap regarding epidemiological factors. The aim was to study the clinical profile and demographic trend over the past 5 years in children with confirmed dengue infection. METHODS: Observational study of children admitted as inpatients over the past 5 years and diagnosed with dengue infection by serology. Categorical data were presented as percentages. Data regarding rainfall was collected from rainfall statistics from the Indian Meteorological website and correlated based on the T-test. The incidence of dengue infection in COVID-19 predominant years was analyzed using the correlation plot and trend of severe dengue infection over the years was noted by Line plot. RESULTS: The study showed a positive correlation between rainfall and an increase in the incidence of cases. There were relatively reduced number of cases during COVID-19 which was interpreted from the correlation plot. The Line plot determined the trend of severity of presentation and more severe cases presented in the years 2019, 2021 and 2022. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION: Other than the pathophysiology, studies to understand the change in the severity of clinical presentation each year could help in augmenting the vector control measures accordingly.

Demographic profile of healthy children with nasopharyngeal colonisation of Streptococcus pneumoniae: A research paper.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a preventable cause of mortality in children. Streptococcus pneumoniae colonising the nasopharynx of healthy children can cause invasive diseases and the serotype distribution of colonisation isolates should be an indicator of invasive disease, antibiotic resistance profiles, and potential vaccine coverage. Identifying factors influencing nasopharyngeal colonisation, the serotypes and antimicrobial resistance pattern can improve rational preventive strategies. OBJECTIVES: Identify risk factors associated with nasopharyngeal colonisation of S.pneumoniae in healthy children between 6 months to 5 years of age. Determine the serotype and antibiotic sensitivity of S. pneumoniae isolated from nasopharynx of healthy children. METHODS: This prospective observational included 500 healthy children, 6months to 5 years of age. Demographic features of the study population, the serotypes and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of S.Pneumoniae isolated from cultures of nasopharyngeal swabs were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: S. pneumoniae was isolated in 9% of 450 children. Increased nasopharyngeal carriage rate was associated with overcrowding 48.8% and poor ventilation 35.5%. 6B (n=16) was the most common serotype isolated. 69% were serogroups known to cause invasive disease All S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid. Antimicrobial susceptibility of PCV 7 serotypes were greater than non PCV 7 serotypes for almost all antimicrobials tested. Penicillin resistance was 11 % and MDR 51.

An unusual cause of accidental hanging in a toddler.

Accidental hanging in children, although uncommon, has been reported worldwide. We report a case of a toddler who was brought to our hospital with an alleged history of hanging with his head trapped in-between the railings of a balcony. He became unconscious and developed seizures secondary to asphyxial injury and survived. Hanging is an important cause of homicidal and suicidal injury in adults, but in children, it is usually accidental, leading to death because of asphyxia as a result of partial or complete hanging. There is paucity of data in Indian literature regarding accidental hanging injuries in children. According to available data from western countries, strangulation ranks fourth among the causes of unintentional injury in children younger than 1 year after roadside accidents, drowning, and burns. The unique mode of hanging in this child has prompted us to report this case.