Infantile pseudotumor cerebri related to viral illness.

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) presents with varied spectrum of manifestations, association with diverse pathological conditions and variable outcome. A preliminary observation on children presenting with PTC is being presented because of certain peculiarities, not observed earlier, like occurring in clusters during particular season, all were infants having close relationship with viral illness and all had extremely benign outcome. Children presenting with raised ICP were hospitalised and evaluated. The relevant investigations carried out included lumbar puncture, cranial ultrasonography, CT Scan and culture studies. Fifteen children, all in infancy with male-female ratio of 2:3 presented in clusters of 11 (73.3%) cases during late summer and early fall presented with bulging fontanelle, vomiting 11, fever 12, respiratory infection 5, diarrhea 5, lateral deviation of eye balls 4 and skin rashes 5 cases. Contact with viral illness in the family was found in 10 cases. Lumbar puncture showed high opening high CSF pressure in all. Results of this study suggest peculiar and perhaps different form of PTC seen recently which affected only the infants. These were closely related to viral illness and had benign outcome.

The dying child and overt parental behavior.

In order to study the immediate grief reaction in parents of children dying in the hospital each parental reaction was scored on a 'grief reaction and intervention' (GRI) scale (minimum 0; maximum 4). The death events of 73 children comprised the study. The GRI score was 0 in 10 (13.7%), 1 in 19 (26.1%), 2 in 21 (28.7%), 3 in 15 (20.5%) and 4 in 8 (11%) cases; the mean (+/- SD) score was 1.89 (+/- 1.20). Crying, weeping spells, hostility, restlessness, denial of death, mutism, impulsivity and destructive behavior were observed. A significantly higher grief reaction was observed among parents of grown up children and those from an urban background. An intense reaction was also seen in cases when the course of illness was acute and death was not anticipated. Parents of male children of the first and second birth order also had higher GRI scores. Our findings suggest that socio-cultural factors may influence the intensity of the parental grief reaction.

Perinatal mortality trends in steel plant hospitals.

PIP: During the year 1980, 96 (56.7%) of late fetal deaths and 73 (43.3%) of early neonatal deaths constituted the total perinatal loss among 4074 consecutive deliveries of babies with birthweight more than 1 kg at Main Hospital, Bhilai. The PMR was calculated at 41.4/1000 births. PMR was 73.3 in unbooked cases as compared to 37.8 in booked ones; 90.6 in abnormal deliveries as compared to 32.7 in normal ones; 184.2 in multiple pregnancies as compared to 38.8 in singleton pregnancies; and 241.9 in breech presentation births as compared to 56.0 and 57.0 in LSCS and vacuum deliveries. LBW babies constituted almost 1/3 (32.1%) of the total births. The PMR was 331.0 in perinates with birthweight less than 2 kg as compared to 29.3 in perinates weighing more than 2 kg. Locally existing demographic factors, excellent antenatal care, and an adequate standard of perinatal service are the 3 factors responsible for the low PMR in steel plant hospitals when compared to the teaching hospitals.^ieng