Health Problems Among Under-Five Age Group Children in Developing Countries: A Narrative Review.

The under-five age group is a crucial time for development because children's quick mental, physical, and socio-emotional aspects serve as the "building blocks" for their future development. The issue of child health is multifaceted, with certain regions, especially developing nations, experiencing an alarming rise in under-five children morbidity and mortality rates. Progress in reducing these rates in developing countries lags behind that of developed nations. Disparities in children's survival rates are pronounced worldwide, with developing nations bearing a disproportionate burden. Key contributors to child fatalities include malnutrition, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, measles, malaria, and neonatal complications. Extensive research utilizing prominent databases like PubMed and Google Scholar has been undertaken to explore this topic. Vaccination, adequate home care, access to medical services, and improved dietary practices emerge as crucial strategies for preventing many child fatalities. This review aims to delve into the underlying causes of illnesses and deaths among children under the age of five in developing nations.

Resurgence to Life: A Case Report on Inpatient Rehabilitation in Organophosphate Poisoning Followed by Intermediate Syndrome.

Organophosphate poisoning (OPP) results from the occupational, accidental, or suicidal intake of organophosphate pesticides (OPs). There is a huge limitation in the available literature on OPP cases and the role of physiotherapy in such cases. We report a case of a 33-year-old farmer, found in a state of ingested insecticide and admitted to the emergency department. The patient had two to three episodes of vomiting, associated with continuous tremors in his hands and legs. Immediately infused with atropine, the patient's general condition deteriorated, and he was intubated with an endotracheal tube. With the signs of long-term intubation, a tracheostomy was done. A respiratory therapy consult was taken for indications of intermediate syndrome and to achieve early weaning. The patient's referral was received in view of the long-term requirement of bronchial hygiene and the need for early ambulation as well as psychological support. Informed consent was taken from the family prior to the commencement of the treatment. Respiratory therapy interventions included body positioning, bronchial hygiene techniques, chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques, and mobility exercises to achieve early ambulation. Physiotherapists have the appropriate training, knowledge, and skills to deliver the exercise components and help patients return to their activities of daily living. Significant levels of improvement have been seen in the general condition of the patient. The overall functioning of the patient's health was seen as improved on the scales of consciousness, early mobility in the step-down unit, and quality of life.

Kangaroo Mother Care for Low-Birth-Weight Babies in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review.

In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), the infant mortality rate is much higher than the high-income countries (HICs). The higher infant mortality is due to low birth weight (LBW) a combination of intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) and prematurity, which are risk factors for acquiring infectious diseases amongst newborns. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a neonatal procedure that is carried out in newborn infants, especially in preterm babies and LBW babies. It is skin-to-skin contact between a mother's bare chest and a stable infant. KMC is an important intervention in reducing infant mortality rates in LMICs. A comprehensive literature and data search was done using key databases like PubMed and Google Scholar. A total of 42 articles out of 1,168 articles were selected for review after screening and elimination of the repeated articles. Through this review we have tried to analyse the benefits of KMC in newborns, the need for the participation of fathers and family members, and the need for implementation of this practice at a broader level by policy formulation in LMICs. We have also discussed the need for KMC for the prevention of infant mortality in LBW newborns in LMICs.

The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the prevention and management of radiation-induced complications of the head and neck - a systematic review of literature.

Radiation therapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer can injure normal tissues and have devastating side effects. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is known to reduce the severity of radiation-induced injury by promoting wound healing. While most of the research in literature has focused on its efficacy in osteonecrosis, HBO has other proven benefits as well. The aim of this review was to identify the various benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients who have undergone radiation for head and neck cancer. An electronic database search was carried out to identify relevant articles and selected articles were reviewed in detail. The quality of evidence for each benefit, including preserving salivary gland function, preventing osteonecrosis, dental implant success, and overall quality of life, was evaluated. Evidence showed that HBO was effective in improving subjective symptoms of xerostomia, swallowing, speech and overall quality of life. There was no conclusive evidence to show that HBO improved implant survival, prevented osteonecrosis, or improved salivary gland function. The high costs and accessibility of HBO therapy must be weighed against the potential benefits to each patient.

Osteonecrosis Secondary to Paget's Disease: Radiologic and Pathologic Features.

Paget's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive disease of the bone characterized by abnormal bone metabolism affecting either a single bone (monostotic) or many bones (polyostotic) with uncertain etiology. We report a case of PD in a 70-year-old male, which was initially identified as osteonecrosis of the maxilla. Non-drug induced osteonecrosis in PD is rare and very few cases have been reported in the literature.