Bacterial Colonization of Vagina in Indian Women During Labor and Its Association With Puerperal and Neonatal Sepsis: A Tertiary Hospital Study.

Objective The aim was to find the prevalence of colonization of vagina with aerobic bacteria among low-risk Indian women in active labor and its association with early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) and puerperal sepsis. Methods The study was conducted prospectively from October 2018 to March 2020 in a tertiary hospital in New Delhi, India. Low-risk pregnant women (N=920) in active labor with intact membranes were recruited. High vaginal swabs were collected, cultured by standard methods to detect aerobic bacteria. The primary outcomes were the development of puerperal sepsis and EONS. Results In a total of 920 low-risk subjects, vaginal colonization was found in 484 (52.6%), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus being the predominant colonizer (13.2%) followed by Escherichia coli (8.9%). Multigravida women were at 1.4 times higher risk of colonization than primigravida (odds ratio [OR] 1.399; 95% CI 1.064, 1.84). Women whose sample was collected at the first vaginal examination were at 0.34 times lower risk of colonization as compared to women with more than one vaginal examination (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.241, 0.481). The incidence of colonization increased with progressive vaginal examinations (p<0.001). None of the colonized women and their neonates developed puerperal sepsis or EONS, respectively. Conclusion Vaginal colonization of aerobic bacteria in active labor is not associated with an increased risk of puerperal sepsis or EONS.

Are normative sonographic values of kidney size in children valid and reliable? A systematic review of the methodological quality of ultrasound studies using the Anatomical Quality Assessment (AQUA) tool.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A plethora of research is available on ultrasonographic kidney size standards. We performed a systematic review of methodological quality of ultrasound studies aimed at developing normative renal parameters in healthy children, by evaluating the risk of bias (ROB) using the 'Anatomical Quality Assessment (AQUA)' tool. METHODS: We searched Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar on June 04 2018, and observational studies measuring kidney size by ultrasonography in healthy children (0-18 years) were included. The ROB of each study was evaluated in five domains using a 20 item coding scheme based on AQUA tool framework. RESULTS: Fifty-four studies were included. Domain 1 (subject characteristics) had a high ROB in 63% of studies due to the unclear description of age, sex, and ethnicity. The performance in Domain 2 (study design) was the best with 85% of studies having a prospective design. Methodological characterization (Domain 3) was poor across the studies (< 10% compliance), with suboptimal performance in the description of patient positioning, operator experience, and assessment of intra/inter-observer reliability. About three-fourth of the studies had a low ROB in Domain 4 (descriptive anatomy). Domain 5 (reporting of results) had a high ROB in approximately half of the studies, the majority reporting results in the form of central tendency measures. CONCLUSIONS: Significant deficiencies and heterogeneity were observed in the methodological quality of USG studies performed to-date for measurement of kidney size in children. We hereby provide a framework for the conducting such studies in future. PROSPERO (CRD42017071601).

Chondrodysplasia Punctata with Severe Airway Stenosis.

Chondrodysplasia punctata (CDP) is a group of skeletal dysplasias characterized primarily by punctate calcifications in cartilage. It is a rare disease with an incidence of 1:100,000 live births. Extensive airway involvement with calcification of tracheal, bronchial, and thyroid cartilage in CDP is an infrequent finding. We aim to report a case of CDP with characteristic radiological features and severe airway involvement.

Hepatomyoencephalopathy Secondary to Cassia occidentalis Poisoning: Report of Three Cases from North India.

Cassia occidentalis is an annual tropical shrub causing toxicity in cattle. However, human case reports of its poisoning are scarce. We, here, report three young children, residents of Western Uttar Pradesh in North India, who presented with lethargy, jaundice, and altered sensorium after consumption of Cassia seeds. The toxidrome was defined as hepatomyoencephalopathy. The children were resuscitated, managed for acute liver failure, and subsequently discharged without sequel. Although few studies have previously documented this association, this is the first such case series documenting a direct causal relationship of Cassia to hepatomyoencephalopathy syndrome. Public and clinician awareness regarding this syndrome mimicking viral encephalitis has the potential to prevent further outbreaks.

Neonatal exchange transfusions at a tertiary care centre in north India: an investigation of historical trends using change-point analysis and statistical process control.

Background: The need for exchange transfusion (ET) as a treatment modality for neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia declined in developed countries with the advent of effective phototherapy. The trends of ET from India are unknown. Our objective was to investigate the trends of ET in India. Methods: Retrospective data (January 2006-December 2016) was collected on total outborn neonatal admissions and ET procedures from a centre in north India. A combination of change-point analysis (CPA) and statistical process control (SPC) was used to investigate the trends of ET. Results: During the study period, a total of 39 217 outborn neonates were admitted and 1575 (4%) underwent 1816 ET procedures. The CPA unravels four critical change points (October 2009, May 2011, September 2011 and November 2014) in ET rates. An SPC chart showed a decline in mean ET rate from 89.3 (upper control limit [UCL] 176.9, lower control limit [LCL] 1.7)/1000 neonatal admissions at the start of the study to 7.7 (UCL 34.6, LCL 0)/1000 at the end of the study. The greatest decline in ET rate was witnessed in October 2009, from 89.3 (UCL 176.9, LCL 1.7)/1000 neonatal admissions to 34.8 (UCL 87.1, LCL 0)/1000 neonatal admissions. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a progressive decline in the number of neonatal ET procedures over 11 y.

Citation classics in pediatrics: a bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: Citation analysis provides insights into the history and developmental trajectory of scientific fields. Our objective was to perform an analysis of citation classics in the journals of pediatric specialty and to examine their characteristics. METHODS: Initially, all the journals listed under the category of pediatrics (n = 120) were identified using Journal Citation Reports. Web of science database was then searched (1950-2016) to select the top-100 cited articles in the above identified pediatric journals. The top-100 cited article were categorized according the study design, sub-specialty, country, institutional affiliation, and language. RESULTS: The top-100 articles were published in 18 different journals, with Pediatrics having the highest numbers (n = 40), followed by The Journal of Pediatrics (n = 17). The majority (n = 62) of classics were published after 1990. The most cited article had citation count of 3516 and the least cited had a citation count of 593. The USA (n = 71) was the most commonly represented country, and 60 institutions contributed to 100 articles. Fifteen authors contributed to more than one classic as first or second author. Observational study (n = 55) was the commonest study design across all decades, followed by reviews (n = 12), scale development studies (n = 11), and guidelines (n = 11). Among the pediatric sub-specialties, growth and development articles were highly cited (n = 24), followed by pediatric psychiatry and behavior (n = 21), endocrinology (n = 15), and neonatology (n = 12). CONCLUSIONS: The top-100 cited articles in pediatrics identify the impactful authors, journals, institutes, and countries. Observational study design was predominant-implying that inclusion among citation classics is not related to soundness of study design.

Predictors of poor outcome in children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nearly 50% of the children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) have a frequently relapsing (FR) or steroid dependent (SD) course, experiencing steroid toxicities and complications of immunosuppression. The study aimed to compare parameters between children with infrequent relapsing (IFR) and FR/SD nephrotic syndrome and to identify the factors associated with a FR/SD course. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records from 2009 to 2014, of children with SSNS attending the pediatric nephrology clinic in a tertiary care medical college and hospital. RESULTS: Out of 325 children (226 males) with SSNS, 213 were IFR and 112 were FRNS/SDNS. The median age of onset was 34 (IQR 24-48) months. The median time to the first relapse was 4 (IQR 3-7) months and 6 (IQR 4-12) months in FR/SD and IFR group respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed "adequate treatment (≥12 weeks) of the first episode" (odds ratio 0.56, 95% CI 0.34-0.91; p value=0.02) and "shorter median time to the first relapse" (odds ratio 1.04, 95% CI=1.01-1.08; p value=0.04) to be independent predictors of FR/SD course. An ROC curve was constructed which showed that time to first relapse <5.5 months was associated with a sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 60% in predicting a FR/SD course. CONCLUSION: Adequate treatment of the first episode is associated with less chance of an FR/SD course. After treatment of first episode, the first relapse occurring within 5.5 months may predict a frequently relapsing or steroid dependent course.

Reporting quality of trial abstracts-improved yet suboptimal: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature to determine if the publication of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) abstract guideline in 2008 was followed by change in reporting quality of randomized controlled trial (RCT) abstracts. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Evaluations were included if they compared reporting quality of RCT abstracts before and after the publication of CONSORT-abstract guideline. The literature search was performed (January 2008 to April 2017) in Medline (Ovid), EMbase, CINAHL plus and Cochrane methodologies register. We assessed study validity with a special validity tool, adapted from a previous Cochrane review. RESULTS: Initial search identified 4142 articles, of which total 10 evaluations including 5184 abstracts were included. Total 22 outcomes related to individual items of CONSORT-abstract guideline were assessed, and 14 showed significant effect sizes favoring CONSORT-abstract guideline. Despite significant effect size, the overall post-CONSORT reporting (PCR) was suboptimal for ten items: title (RR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.59, PCR = 53.4%), participants (RR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.26, PCR = 24.5%), primary outcome (RR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.23, PCR = 65%), blinding (RR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.20 to 3.76, PCR = 13.9%), trial status (RR = 1.81, 95% 1.39 to 2.35, PCR = 10.6%), numbers analyzed (RR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.98, PCR = 26.5%), outcome (RR = 1.40, 95% 1.05 to 1.86, PCR = 21.9%), effect size and precision (RR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.19, PCR = 58.9%), harms (RR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.48, PCR = 41.8%), trial registration (RR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.63 to 2.50, PCR = 33.8%). Three items with favorable effect size in addition had wide CIs: randomization (RR = -4.28, 95% CI 1.56 to 11.75, PCR = -3.3%), allocation concealment (RR = -19.89, 95% CI 1.54 to 256.69, PCR = -5.7%), and funding (RR = -22.61, 95% CI 8.13 to 62.67, PCR = -11.32%). CONCLUSION: The change in reporting quality of RCT abstracts is far from satisfactory, as evidenced by suboptimal post-CONSORT rates and wide CIs of effect sizes for majority of improved items. Mere publication of CONSORT-abstract guideline, without strict endorsement has failed to translate into good quality abstracts.

The Correlation Between Inferior Vena Cava Diameter Measured by Ultrasonography and Central Venous Pressure.

OBJECTIVE: To find a correlation between inferior vena cava (IVC) diameters, IVC compressibility index (CI) and central venous pressure (CVP). METHODS: Prospective observational study was done at pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital (KSCH). Fifty children aged 5-18 y, presenting with shock were enrolled for the study. IVC diameters, CI and relevant clinical data were noted at enrollment, 30 min, 1 h, 6 h, and 12 h. Central line was placed at the time of admission. RESULTS: Of 50 children enrolled, 28 were boys, with a mean age of 11 y. More than 80% of cases were diagnosed as septic shock. Mean maximum and minimum IVC diameter of 8.3 ± 2 mm and 3.7 ± 1.7 mm, respectively CI 58.2 ± 7% and CVP of 5.4 ± 1.5 cm of H2O was observed at admission. CVP and IVC diameters showed a serial improvement with treatment; CI showed a serial decrease with treatment. Heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) also showed a serial improvement at 12 h (p < 0.05). CVP showed a positive correlation with IVC diameter (r +0.312; p < 0.05), and a negative correlation with CI (r -0.343; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Effective fluid resuscitation improves IVC diameters with a decrease in CI. IVC diameter has a positive correlation to CVP and CI has a negative correlation to CVP.

An interrupted time series analysis showed suboptimal improvement in reporting quality of trial abstract.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the immediate and long-term change in reporting quality of randomized controlled trial (RCT) abstracts published in Pediatrics, The Journal of Pediatrics, and JAMA Pediatrics before and after the publication of Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trial (CONSORT)-abstract statement. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Study had "Interrupted time-series" design. Eligible RCT abstracts were retrieved by PubMed search in two study periods from January 2003 to December 2007 (pre-CONSORT) and January 2010 to December 2014 (post-CONSORT). These abstracts were matched with the CONSORT checklist for abstracts. The primary outcome measure was CONSORT-abstract score defined as number of CONSORT items correctly reported divided by 18 and expressed as percentage. The mean percentage scores were used to compare reporting quality between pre- and post-CONSORT using segmented linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 424 RCT abstracts in pre-CONSORT and 467 in post-CONSORT were analyzed. A significant change in slope of regression line between two time periods (0.151 [confidence interval CI, 0.004-0.298], P = 0.044) was observed. Intercepts did not show a significant difference (-2.39 [CI, 4.93-0.157], P = 0.065). CONCLUSION: The overall reporting quality of RCT abstracts in the high-impact pediatrics journals was suboptimal (<50%); however, it improved when assessed over a 5-year period, implying slow but gradual adoption of guideline.

Reporting standards for Bland-Altman agreement analysis in laboratory research: a cross-sectional survey of current practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To carry out a cross-sectional survey of the medical literature on laboratory research papers published later than 2012 and available in the common search engines (PubMed, Google Scholar) on the quality of statistical reporting of method comparison studies using Bland-Altman (B-A) analysis. METHODS: Fifty clinical studies were identified which had undertaken method comparison of laboratory analytes using B-A. The reporting of B-A was evaluated using a predesigned checklist with following six items: (1) correct representation of x-axis on B-A plot, (2) representation and correct definition of limits of agreement (LOA), (3) reporting of confidence interval (CI) of LOA, (4) comparison of LOA with a priori defined clinical criteria, (5) evaluation of the pattern of the relationship between difference (y-axis) and average (x-axis) and (6) measures of repeatability. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: The x-axis and LOA were presented correctly in 94%, comparison with a priori clinical criteria in 74%, CI reporting in 6%, evaluation of pattern in 28% and repeatability assessment in 38% of studies. CONCLUSIONS: There is incomplete reporting of B-A in published clinical studies. Despite its simplicity, B-A appears not to be completely understood by researchers, reviewers and editors of journals. There appear to be differences in the reporting of B-A between laboratory medicine journals and other clinical journals. A uniform reporting of B-A method will enhance the generalizability of results.

Predictors of altered sensorium at admission in children with diabetic ketoacidosis.

OBJECTIVE: To predict factors causing altered sensorium at admission in children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). METHODS: This retrospective study was done on 139 children with DKA who presented to Pediatric Emergency of a tertiary care hospital between January 2008 and November 2012. The case records were reviewed and information regarding personal details, clinical features, biochemical parameters and outcome was recorded. Statistical analyses were performed in small STATA version 12. Variables associated with altered sensorium in bivariate analysis (P < 0.05) were selected for inclusion in the multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: Mean age was 8.04 ± 4.1 y; Male: Female ratio 0.75:1. The newly diagnosed diabetics were 54.6 % whereas rest were known diabetics. Eighty one percent children in severe DKA, 63 % moderate DKA and 18 % mild DKA had altered sensorium at admission. Univariate analysis revealed significant P values (P < 0.05) for pH and degree of dehydration. Results of final multivariate logistic regression revealed significant P values for pH (for pH 7.1-7.2, AOR-5.47, 95 % CI-1.24-24.1, P = 0.025 and for pH <7.1, AOR-14.19, 95 % CI - 4.13-48.7, P = 0.001) using pH >7.2 as the reference category. CONCLUSIONS: Alteration in sensorium in children at initial admission with DKA is associated to low blood pH. ROC curve suggested good discrimination of pH for prediction of altered sensorium. The exact pathophysiologic mechanism of how low pH alters sensorium in DKA is still unknown and requires further studies.

Plasmodium vivax malaria complicated by splenic infarct.

An 11-year-old girl presented with Plasmodium vivax malaria complicated by shock and acute renal failure. The diagnosis of malaria was based on demonstration of trophozoites of P. vivax in the peripheral blood smear and a positive rapid malarial antigen test for P. vivax but negative for P. falciparum. She responded to parenteral artesunate and supportive care. During the course of her infection, she developed pain in her left hypochondrium. Ultrasonography showed multiple hypo-echoic lesions in the spleen and CT scan revealed multiple splenic infarcts. Management was restricted to close clinical monitoring and analgesia. We consider that this is the first report of splenic infarct complicating the course of childhood P. vivax malaria in the English literature. Physicians should suspect and investigate for this rare complication if a patient with malaria complains of left upper quadrant abdominal pain, pleuritic left lower chest pain and/or enlarging tender splenomegaly during the course of malaria infection.

Accurate estimation of body surface area in under-5 children with non-edematous severe acute malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of commonly used body surface area (BSA) equations and to devise a new equation for BSA calculation in non-edematous severe acute malnourished (NE-SAM) children. METHODS: Children aged between 2 months and 5 years fulfilling World Health Organization criteria for NE-SAM were included. Seven commonly used equations were used for calculating the BSA. Mean BSA from the equations was used as reference for comparison. A new equation SAM Mosteller modified was also derived. RESULTS: A total of 471 children were included. Of the seven equations, Mosteller had minimum root mean square error (RMSE) value of 2.89. The goodness of SAM Mosteller modified equation was subsequently compared with Mosteller and Boyd in 66 NE-SAM children. The SAM Mosteller modified showed least RMSE (2.65), whereas Boyd had maximum. CONCLUSIONS: Among seven equations, Mosteller is useful for BSA calculation in NE-SAM. SAM Mosteller modified equation (164.551 × [Ht × Wt](0.5)) has least error and can serve as best measure of BSA in SAM children.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1: management issues.

We report a newborn girl with life-threatening hyperkalemia and salt wasting crisis due to severe autosomal recessive multiple target organ dysfunction pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (MTOD PHA1). She was aggressively managed with intravenous fluids, potassium-lowering agents, high-dose sodium chloride supplementation and peritoneal dialysis. Genetic analysis revealed a homozygous mutation of the α- ENaC (epithelial Na(+) channel) gene. She had a stormy clinical course with refractory hyperkalemia and prolonged hospitalization. Eventually, she succumbed to pneumonia and septicemia at 4 months of age. This is probably the first case of PHA1 confirmed by genetic analysis from India.

A comparative study on reliability of point of care sodium and potassium estimation in a pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To compare sodium and potassium levels in children as done with Blood Gas Analyzer (BGA) at point of care testing in pediatric ICU vs. that done in laboratory electrolyte analyzer. METHODS: This prospective method comparison study was done from February to April 2012 in Pediatric ICU of tertiary care hospital at Delhi. Sixty consecutive patients were tested during the period. Paired blood samples for venous blood gas to be tested on BGA and serum electrolytes to be tested on auto-analyzers (AA) were taken as per standard technique. Data was collected and 59 paired samples were analyzed for sodium and potassium levels. They were analyzed according to CLSI document EP15-A2 using ACB method comparison software. RESULTS: Mean sodium measured on the BGA was 132.8 ± 12.2 mmol/L where as measured by AA was 141.5 ± 11.1 mmol/L. The mean difference between the two was -8.76 mmol/L (p < 0.001). The difference was statistically significant in all three subgroups of hypernatremia, isonatremia and hyponatremia (p < 0.001). Potassium level in BGA was 3.53 ± 0.81 mmol/L and AA was 4.28 ± 1.05 mmol/L. The mean difference between the BGA and AA was -0.75 mmol/L (p < 0.0001). The difference was statistically significant in patients with normokalemia and hyperkalemia (p < 0.0001). The difference was non significant in patients with hypokalemia (p = 0.051). CONCLUSIONS: Blood gas analyzers underestimates Na + and K + values if sampling is done using liquid sodium heparin and if all other potential pre-analytical errors of testing are taken care of. The Bland Altman's analysis in the present study showed a significant systematic bias and very wide limits of agreement for both sodium and potassium, which is not clinically acceptable.

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome with PHOX2B gene mutation: are we missing the diagnosis?

Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome is a rare disorder of autonomic and central nervous system dysfunction with impaired control of breathing. The authors report a 37- d-old girl infant with recurrent apnea requiring repeated mechanical ventilation with no evidence of neuromuscular, cardiac or lung disease. A mutation analysis of PHOX2B gene revealed 25 polyalanine repeat expansion mutation on chromosome 4p12. This article aims at raising awareness among pediatricians about molecular basis and availability of confirmatory genetic testing for diagnosis and to help with prognosis in this disorder.

Hyponatremic-hypertensive syndrome: think of unilateral renal artery stenosis.

Hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome (HHS) is an uncommon disorder, in which hypertension is associated with profound hyponatremia. It is mostly encountered in adults with unilateral renal artery stenosis. Although renovascular hypertension is one of the commonest causes for severe hypertension in children, HHS is rarely reported in childhood. The authors report a 9-y old boy with hypertensive emergency and severe hyponatremia due to unilateral renal artery stenosis who was successfully managed by vascular stenting of the affected vessel. Prompt recognition of this disorder can be life-saving and can subsequently lead to appropriate referral and treatment as in the present case.