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Objectives: The present study examined the clinical profile of COVID-19, related morbidity and mortality in children at a tertiary care hospital in Uttarakhand. Understanding the clinical profile of the disease in this specific population is vital for better preparedness and targeted interventions to safeguard the health of children during future outbreaks. This is the first study from this region in this Methods: The present study was a hospital based observational study carried out on patients aged 1 month-18 years who tested covid-19 positive and were admitted to Department of Pediatrics at a tertiary care center in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand during study period July 2020 to May 2023 after getting ethical clearance from Institutional Review Committee and informed consent from patient or patient relatives. Statistical testing has been conducted using R Studio Software version 4. Results: A total of 51 patients with Covid-19 infection, tested positive by either rapid antigen test (RAT) or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) were admitted to our hospital during the study period. History of covid contact was positive in 11% patients. Comorbidities were seen in 10% patients. Respiratory system (41%) was most commonly involved followed by central nervous system (febrile seizures). Fever (70%) followed by cough (33%) were the most common symptoms. Raised ESR levels was the most common laboratory finding. Conclusions: The infection in children is usually mild, with low mortality rate (2%). Respiratory system was most commonly involved and fever and cough were the most common symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: About two billion people in the world’s population are affected by the soiltransmitted helminth infection, with children being the most affected with Soil Transmitted Helminth infection.[1] India alone contributes nearly 25% to the total global cases, with 220.6 million children in need of preventive chemotherapy. [2] In view of the above context, the present study was conducted with the aim and objective of to the prevalence of soiltransmitted helminth (STH) infection and its risk factors. Material and Methods: Study Design: A Cross-sectional Observational Study Study Setting: Department of Microbiology, AIIMS, Raipur, from January 1 to June 30, 2023 (6 months). Sample Size: 384 (n=Z2 1-ά/2 P(1-P)/d2). P=50%, CI=95%, d=5% Absolute Precision. Results: STH prevalence was 13.3%, more in males (68.8%), and significantly high (62.5%). P < 0.05) in school-going children between 6 and 12 years of age. The predominant STH was Ancylostoma duodenale (56.2%); STH infection was much less (12.5%) in those practising handwashing with soap. Fifty percent of children had an STH infection even after receiving deworming within the past six months. More egg counts—216 eggs per gramme of faeces—were found in 29 cases by the KK method. Entamoeba histolytica (56.5%) was predominant among non-STH infections. Conclusion: Contrary to the assumption of 50% prevalence, the actual prevalence was very low, only about 13.3%. School-going children aged 6–12 years were more affected, and handwashing with soap was the key factor in preventing STH infection. The proportion of participants having toilet facilities and using footwear regularly had no role in STH prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]