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Anemia is a major public health problem in India with prevalence of more than 50% amongst children and adolescents. The decline in the burden of anemia has been insignificant over the past 5 decades. The present review assesses the National Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Anemia in India, the current status of the program implementation and possible reasons for the continued high prevalence of anemia in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of masking the odor of inhalational agents using fruit flavors on the anxiety behavior and compliance of children for inhalational induction.Methods: A prospective randomized double blind, placebo controlled study was conducted on 60 unpremedicated children in the age group of 4-12 y. Thirty children received anesthetic masks smeared with a flavor of child's choice while the other 30 children were induced using masks without flavor. Anxiety was assessed using modified Yale Pre-operative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) in the pre-op room and during inhalational induction. Mask acceptance was graded by Induction Compliance Checklist (ICC). The cost-effectiveness of flavored anesthetic masks was compared to that of commercially available pre-scented masks.Results: The baseline anxiety in the two groups was comparable. The number of children demonstrating high levels of anxiety at anesthetic induction was similar in flavored and non-flavored mask groups (p 0.45). The compliance to mask induction was also equally good (p 0.99). The authors found significant difference in the cost of flavored mask (INR 56.45 per mask) as compared to commercially available pre-scented masks (INR 660 per mask).Conclusions: The authors observed a placebo effect that reduced the pre-op anxiety in the control group which probably made the quality of induction equivalent with flavored and non-flavored masks. Therefore, using a flavored anesthetic mask is cost-effective than using a commercially available pre-scented mask. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the prevalence of vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies among children residing at high altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh, India.Methods: A total of 215 school children in the age group of 6-18 y were included. Biochemical estimation of serum vitamin B12 and folate levels was undertaken using chemiluminescence immunoassay method. The consumption pattern of foods high in dietary vitamin B12 and folate was recorded using Food Frequency Questionnaire.Results: The median levels (interquartile range) of serum vitamin B12 and folate were 326 (259-395) pg/ml and 7.7 (6-10) ng/ml respectively. The prevalence of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency amongst school age children was found as 7.4% and 1.5% respectively.Conclusions: A low prevalence of vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies was found amongst children aged 6-18 y living at high altitude regions in India. This is possibly due to high frequency of consumption of foods rich in vitamin B12 and folate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the prevalence of vitamin B 12 and folate deficiencies among children residing at high altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh, India., Methods: A total of 215 school children in the age group of 6-18 y were included. Biochemical estimation of serum vitamin B 12 and folate levels was undertaken using chemiluminescence immunoassay method. The consumption pattern of foods high in dietary vitamin B 12 and folate was recorded using Food Frequency Questionnaire., Results: The median levels (interquartile range) of serum vitamin B 12 and folate were 326 (259-395) pg/ml and 7.7 (6-10) ng/ml respectively. The prevalence of vitamin B 12 and folate deficiency amongst school age children was found as 7.4% and 1.5% respectively., Conclusions: A low prevalence of vitamin B 12 and folate deficiencies was found amongst children aged 6-18 y living at high altitude regions in India. This is possibly due to high frequency of consumption of foods rich in vitamin B 12 and folate.