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Background: Systemic hypertension is an important condition in childhood, with an estimated global population prevalence of 1-2%. The public health significance of hypertension is based on observations that confirm a strong tracking of blood pressure levels from childhood to adolescence. Commonly used medications as first line in children include Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI), Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB), and β Blockers. Adult clinical practice guidelines such as Joint National Committe-8 (JNC-8) have clear recommendations based on clinical trial evidence for the first line drug. However, in children there is lack of evidence for clear recommendations for the first line drug Design: Double blinded Randomized control trial Setting: The study was conducted in Indira Gandhi institute of child health, Bangalore from January 2016 to January 2017. Participants :The study comprised of Children aged 3-18 years with hypertension. Objectives : (1) Whether the hypertension was controlled with the drug used (2) Dose required for the control of hypertension (3) Duration needed for the control of hypertension(4) The need to use additional antihypertensive drugs to control hypertension. (5) Adverse drug reactions (ADR) Results: The mean age at presentation was 9.23±0.35 years with males being 57.5 % and females being 42.5%. Renal cause of hypertension was the most common cause with nephrotic syndrome accounting for 46.25% and Acute Glomerulonephritis 42.5 %. Primary hypertension was seen 6.25%. Amlodipine controlled blood pressure in 97.5 % children and Enalapril in 92.5%.. The reduction in blood pressure were comparable at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Mean dose required for control of blood pressure in Amlodipine group was 0.26±0.01mg/kg/day and Enalapril group was 0.25±0.01mg/kg/day. No adverse reactions was noted to either drug. Conclusion: 1) Amlodipine and Enalapril are both efficacious in the control of Paediatric Hypertension and there is no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of Blood Pressure control.2) Administration of Enalapril and Amlodipine was not associated with any adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to understand the parental stress, psychological distress, and parenting practices of parents of pre-schoolers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and Materials: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with the parents of preschool children aged 3–6 years. Researchers used the Parental Stress Scale, Self-Reporting Questionnaire, and Parent Practice Interview to collect data from parents in the Southern Indian city of Bengaluru. Results: A total of 60 responses were obtained from the online survey. Moderate to a high level of parental stress and mild to moderate levels of psychological distress were found among the parents. Around 21 (35%) of parents were found in need of mental health consultation. The study found no group differences in parental stress and psychological distress among various socio-demographic variables. The study found a significant association between parental stress and the parenting practices of participants. Higher mean scores were observed on mothers in setting clear expectations of pre-schoolers. Conclusion: Parenting young pre-schoolers is a difficult task. COVID-19 pandemic has made the parenting process challenging for parents. Parents must engage the children at home, and helping them cope with the new environment is a tightrope walk. Such uncertainties are supposed cause distress and lead to poor parenting parents among the parents, especially with pre-schoolers who are more demanding. There is a need to address parents' concerns and train them to deal with the situations effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. CAST (Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment) index is a relatively new caries assessment tool that hierarchically describes the entire caries spectrum. Its comparability with WHO (World Health Organization) criteria in different populations and age groups needs to be investigated. Objective. The objective of this study was to assess caries among 5 and 15-yearold schoolchildren using the CAST index and WHO criteria and to compare both indices on the basis of caries experience and examination time. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 553 schoolchildren aged 5 and 15 years in the North zone of Bengaluru city, India. Examiners underwent training and calibration for performing the CAST index. The first examination was performed using the CAST index followed by a second examination using the WHO criteria 2013, after some days. Time taken for examination was also recorded. Results. The study sample consisted of 279 five-year-old and 274 fifteen-year-old schoolchildren. The difference in caries experience among 5 and 15-year-old children assessed using the CAST index (52%, 45.6%) and WHO criteria (42.3%, 24.5%) were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The average examination time was longer for the CAST index (93.77±24.77 seconds and 105.04±9.49 seconds) when compared to WHO criteria (61.05±15.91 seconds and 58.72±9.42 seconds) for primary and permanent dentition (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Though the CAST index took a longer examination time, the information obtained was more precise and facilitated researchers in treatment planning encompassing prevention of initial lesions, restoration, and rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]