Prevalence of goitre and iodine deficiency among school children (6-12 years) in rural areas of North Karnataka, India: A cross-sectional survey, 2016-19.

Introduction: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) have remained an unresolved public health problem in India. In this survey, we have estimated the prevalence of IDD among 6-12 years of school children in rural areas of north Karnataka, India and estimated the prevalence of low iodine content (<15 ppm) in salt at the household level and urine iodine excretion in this population. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, we recruited 16,827 children between 6 and 12 years of age through multistage sampling from six districts. Goitre was examined clinically for all children. Household-level salt iodine estimation and urinary iodine estimation were carried out among a subset of the participants. Results: Overall prevalence of goitre was 17.1% (95% CI: 16.5, 17.7). Out of this, 76.7% (n = 2116) had Grade-1 goitre, and 23.7% (n = 656) had Grade-2 goitre. The prevalence of goitre was higher among females (17.9%, vs. male 16.4%, P < 0.05). The prevalence of low iodine content (<15 ppm) in salt was 48.5% (95%CI: 46.7, 50.3). The overall median iodine excretion in urine was 85 µg/L (IQR: 60-150 µg/L). In total, 37.2% (n = 601) had mild iodine deficiency, 5.2% (n = 84) had moderate deficiency, and 10.1% (n = 163) had severe deficiency. All parameters showed high inter- and intradistrict variations. Conclusion: North Karnataka has a high goitre prevalence. Low use of iodized salt can be a major reason for the high prevalence of the condition. Ensuring the availability of iodized salt in this region and periodic surveillance to measure the impact of the programme should be the priority in this region.

Evaluation of dental age in protein energy malnutrition children.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of dental age is very essential for a dental practitioner in planning treatment and it is a supplementary source of information for Pediatrician, Orthopedician and Endocrinologist. There are few studies in the literature about the comparison of dental with chronological age in protein energy malnutrition children (PEM). Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare dental age and chronological age in PEM children. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare dental age and chronological age in PEM children. METHODS: A total of 100 PEM children within the age range of 6-12 years were selected. Chronological age was recorded using date of birth. Dental age was assessed by Demirjian's method using orthopantomogram. Comparison of two ages was done using the unpaired Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Dental age was retarded compared to chronological age, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The correlations between two ages were positive in both sexes. CONCLUSION: Dental age was delayed in our sample of 100 PEM children. Dental age can be considered as variable for diagnosing growth retardation in PEM children. Further studies are required to support our findings.

Knowledge and attitude toward human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immuno deficiency syndrome among dental and medical undergraduate students.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major public health challenge. Unjustified calls for the isolation of patients with HIV infection might further constrain the potential for expansion of clinical services to deal with a greater number of such patients. This infectious illness can evoke irrational emotions and fears in health care providers. Keeping this in view, a study was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) among dental and medical students. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive cross-sectional survey of the entire dental and medical undergraduate students from two colleges was carried out using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as percentage was used to present the data. RESULTS: Ninety-eight percentage medical and dental undergraduate graduate students knew about HIV transmission in the hospital. Journals and internet were the leading source of information among both medical and dental undergraduates. The majority of respondents discussed HIV-related issues with their classmates. Surprisingly, 38% medical and 52% dental undergraduates think that HIV patient should be quarantined (isolation) to prevent the spread of infection. 68% medical and 60% dental undergraduates are willing to rendering dental/medical care to HIV-infected patients. Relatively large proportion (98%) of participants was willing to participate for HIV prevention program. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of medical and dental students is adequate, but the attitude needs improvement. Dental and medical students constitute a useful public health education resource. Comprehensive training, continuing education, and motivation will improve their knowledge and attitude, which enable them to provide better care to HIV patients.

Knowledge and attitude of dental surgeons in India toward ocular complications of intra-oral local anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Ocular disturbances such as blurring of vision, mydriasis, palpebral ptosis, diplopia, ptosis, enophthalmos, miosis, and blindness (temporary or permanent) are rare complications due to intra-oral local anesthesia. Currently, the guidelines to dentists on preventing and caring for such ocular problems are lacking. Hence, we evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of dentists toward ocular complications of intra-oral anesthesia as a means to assess the need for such guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective survey targeting dentists was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Totally 500 standardized self-administered questionnaires were sent out by E-mail to practicing dentists or academicians. In total, 390 replies were received, and the data were analyzed. RESULTS: About 39% of graduates and 14% postgraduate dentists knew about ocular complications. Journals were the leading source of information among both graduates and postgraduate dentists. 8.3% graduates and 17.6% postgraduate dentists encountered ocular complications. Interestingly most of the graduates and postgraduates responded that ocular complications are underreported in the literature. 90.5% graduates and 84.3% postgraduates are in the opinion that more research should be carried on ocular complications. 98.3% postgraduates and 97.3% graduates favored the prevention of ocular complications. CONCLUSION: The dentist's knowledge about ocular complications due to intra-oral anesthesia in our study group is not adequate and needs improvement. Although the awareness and practice of taking preventive measures are satisfactory, there is a need for specific guidelines to dentists in identifying and clinically managing ocular complications of intra-oral anesthesia.

Comparative evaluation of dental age, bone age, and chronological age in the human immunodeficiency virus positive children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The knowledge of bone age and dental age is of great importance for pediatrician and pediatric dentist. It is essential for pediatric dentist to formulate treatment plan and it is a source of complementary information for pediatrician. There are few studies in literature, which showed the relationship between dental age, bone age and chronological age in HIV-positive children. Therefore, objective of this study was to determine and compare dental age, bone age and chronological age in HIV-positive children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 HIV-positive children between the age group of 18-14 years were selected. Chronological age was determined by recording date of birth. Dental age assessment was performed using orthopantamogram following the method described by Demirjian. Bone age estimation was carried out using hand-wrist radiograph following Bjork, Grave, and Brown's method. RESULTS: Chronological age was advanced compared with dental age and bone age in both sexes. The correlation between chronological age, dental age and bone age were all positive in both sexes. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The data supports the concept that dental age and bone age delay is a significant feature in HIV-positive children. It is important to consider dental age and bone age as variables for diagnosing growth retardation in HIV-positive children. To support our findings, further a well-designed, controlled as well as longitudinal study with a larger sample size is required.

The relationship between dental age, bone age and chronological age in underweight children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The knowledge of bone age and dental age is of great importance for pediatrician and pediatric dentist. It is essential for a pediatric dentist to formulate treatment plan and it is a source of complementary information for pediatrician. There are few studies, which showed the relationship between dental age, bone age and chronological age in underweight children. Therefore, objective of this study was to determine and compare dental age, bone age and chronological age in underweight children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 underweight children between the age group of 18-14 years were selected. Chronological age was assessed by recording date of birth. Dental age assessment was done using orthopantamogram following the method described by Demirjian. Bone age assessment was carried out using hand wrist radiograph following Bjork, Grave and Brown's method. RESULTS: Dental age and Bone age was delayed compared to chronological age in both sexes. The correlation between chronological age, dental age and bone age were all positive in males. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The data supports the concept that dental age and bone age delay is a significant feature in underweight children. It is important to consider dental age and bone age as variables for diagnosing underweight children. To support our findings further a well-designed, controlled as well as longitudinal studies with a larger sample size is required.