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PURPOSE: Postoperative fever is a common problem following neurosurgery but data on the causes among paediatric patients is sparse. In this report, we determined the incidence, causes, and outcomes of postoperative fever in paediatric neurosurgical patients (< 18 years), and contrasted the findings with an adult cohort published recently from our unit. METHODS: We recruited 61 patients who underwent 73 surgeries for non-traumatic neurosurgical indications over 12 months. A standard protocol was followed for the evaluation and management of postoperative fever. We prospectively collected data pertaining to operative details, daily maximal temperature, clinical features, and use of surgical drains, urinary catheters, and other adjuncts. Elevated body temperature of > 99.9 °F or 37.7 °C for > 48 h or associated with clinical deterioration or localising features was considered as "fever"; elevated temperature not meeting these criteria was classified as transient elevation in temperature (TET). RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (35.6%) had postoperative fever, more frequent than in adult patients. TET occurred in 12 patients (16.4%). The most common causes of fever were aseptic meningitis (34.6%), followed by urinary tract infections (15.4%), pyogenic meningitis, COVID-19, and wound infections. Postoperative fever was associated with significantly longer duration of hospital admission and was the commonest cause of readmission. CONCLUSION: In contrast to adults, early temperature elevations in paediatric patients may portend infectious and serious non-infectious causes of fever, including delayed presentation with aseptic meningitis, a novel association among paediatric patients. Investigation guided by clinical assessment and conservative antibiotic policy in keeping with the institutional microbiological profile provides the most appropriate strategy in managing paediatric postoperative fever.
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BACKGROUND: As per the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Report 2017, among the 9.6 million cases of tuberculosis (TB) that occur annually in the world, 2.8 million are found in India. TB is the biggest killer in the 15 to 49 years age group-an age range during which people are the most productive. It is a disease that creates and thrives in poverty. Several studies have shown that TB has a negative impact on the socioeconomic status of patients. Limited data are available on the long-term impact of this disease on the families of patients. AIMS: This study aimed to analyze the impact of TB on the socioeconomic condition and educational status of the family members of patients and the nutritional status of children younger than 12 years in the family of the patient. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India in the month of March 2017. The exposed group consisted of families with a member who completed treatment for TB in the past 5 years obtained from two tuberculosis units under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme. The unexposed group was composed of families in the same neighborhood as the exposed families, matched for the age of one child. RESULTS: Upon analysis, the multifaceted impact of TB led to an increased risk of "financial crises," delayed and disrupted education among children, and wasting among children younger than 5 years (as measured by weight-for-height Z scores). Older children and adults were also at a higher risk of being undernourished as assessed by BMI-for-age Z scores and BMI, respectively. Reduced social participation as a marker of stigma was found to be higher but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that despite the obvious multifaceted impact of TB on the family, the screening and protective measures often fail to encompass the scope of the disease. These are of great importance to the primary physician, often the only contact of the medical fraternity with the family members of patients.
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INTRODUCTION: Seizure is a common manifestation of the many neurological conditions faced by primary care physicians. This study aims to determine the prevalence, etiology, and predictors of immediate noncompliance of adult patients presenting with seizures to the department of emergency (ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted this study in the ED of CMC, Vellore from November 2015 to February 2016. Retrospective chart review was used to gather specific data regarding these consecutive cases. RESULTS: During the study period, 477 patients presented with seizures. The prevalence of nontrauma seizures in the ED was 2.3% [Figure 1]. The mean age was 41.4 ± 17.25 years. There was a male predominance (63.1%). About 11.7% had active seizures at presentation to the ED and less than a quarter (21.8%) were determined to have status epilepticus. Nearly 41% had new-onset seizures with common etiologies being idiopathic generalized epilepsy (22.6%), metabolic causes (17.9%), acute febrile illnesses (14.42%), and space-occupying lesions (12.3%). Among those with a history of seizures (58.9%), 87.9% were advised regular medications but 58.5% of them were immediately noncompliant. Phenytoin (58.6%), sodium valproate (20.5%), and levetiracetam (18%) were the most commonly used antiepileptics with 23% on multidrug therapy. About 60% were discharged stable from the ED. Univariate analysis showed chronic alcohol consumption (OR: 2.78; 95% CI: 1, 7.7) and female sex (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1-2.5) to be predictors of immediate noncompliance to antiepileptics. CONCLUSION: Common etiologies of new-onset seizures in the ED are idiopathic generalized epilepsy, metabolic causes, and acute febrile illnesses. More than half the patients with a known seizure disorder are immediately noncompliant to the advised medications. Knowledge among primary healthcare physicians about the importance of emphasizing compliance will greatly reduce the burden of seizures.
