Search

Background: Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) III score is one of the widely used scoring systems to quantify critical illness in the pediatric age group. This study was carried out to find the association of PRISM III score with the outcome (discharge/mortality) and also hospital stay in survivors and nonsurvivors. Setting: The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from January 2014 to June 2015. Materials and Methods: A total of 524 patients were admitted, and after excluding the patients who met the exclusion criteria, 486 patients were analyzed. Statistical Analysis: Logistic regression was used to find the association of variables under the PRISM III score with mortality. Linear regression was used to find the association of PRISM III score with length of stay. Results: Mortality was 31%; male: female ratio was 1.5:1. Maximum patients presented with respiratory system involvement (26.3%), and maximum mortality (20.3%) was observed in the patients with respiratory involvement. Discrimination by the model between mortality and survival was excellent (receiver operating characteristic curve [0.903]). Maximum risk of mortality was noticed in mechanically ventilated patients (odds ratio [OR]: 10.87) followed by lower systolic blood pressure (OR: 2.72), deranged prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time (OR: 1.50), deranged mental status (OR: 1.41), and tachycardia (OR: 1.37). Length of stay (LOS) in patients increased till PRISM III score of 25. Average LOS in survivors was 4.327 days which was not accounted by difference in PRISM III score between different patients. With each unit increase in PRISM III score, LOS increased by 5 h. Conclusions: PRISM III score has excellent capacity to discriminate between survival and mortality. PRISM III score can be used to predict LOS among survivors.

Posterior mediastinal enterogenous cyst is a rare entity in neonate. The neonate can present with severe cardio-respiratory compromise in the form of respiratory distress, shock, cardiac failure or arrhythmia soon after birth which may require immediate surgical intervention. Antenatal screening can demonstrate the cystic mass in fetus early and can help in quick postnatal management. Multidisciplinary management with aspiration of the cysts was life-saving in the present case.

Background: Technology-enhanced learning is reliable, established, and effective teaching tool for better understanding of the subject. This study addresses an important issue in medical education, namely, the enhancement of the widely criticized lecture style of teaching by engaging students more actively during class through the use of videos or animations. This study describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a traditional anatomy lecture series combined with technology. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study is (a) to combine three-dimensional (3D) videos and animations with traditional embryology lectures and (b) to evaluate the 1st-year MBBS students' perception about this method of learning of embryology. Methodology: This qualitative study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, during the theory classes of embryology over a period of approximately 3 months among 100 1st-year MBBS students. The students were shown 3D videos and animations of embryology during traditional didactic lecture to explain all the aspects of the development of different systems of the body in 25 classes, of 1-h duration each. Feedback was taken using a structured questionnaire to know the perception of students toward this exercise of using technology during lecture of embryology. Results: A total of 100 MBBS first professional students took part in the study and submitted questionnaire. The students were satisfied with this method of technology-enhanced learning and described better understanding of the concepts with improved learning. More than 90% of the students found that combining 3D videos and animations with traditional lecture helped in solving the confusion and misconceptions regarding topic and did make the topic more interesting. They further added that they wanted to have such type of technology (videos)-enhanced lectures in all other topics of anatomy and in other subjects as well. Conclusions: Technology used in the form of 3D videos and animations changed their attitude toward learning and their learning was improved. It provided satisfaction to students in terms of better learning and understanding of the subject.

Senior Loken Syndrome (SLS) is a rare genetic disorder having juvenile nephronophthisis and retinal degeneration progressing to blindness and end stage renal disease. The present case report is about two sisters who presented with decreased visual acuity and end stage renal disease. Both had decreased vision, pallor, deranged renal function test and chronic malnutrition. Investigations revealed anaemia, uraemia, raised creatinine, low Glomerular Filteration Rate (GFR). Ophthalmology examination revealed nystagmus, retinal examination depicted pale optic disc and pigmentary changes in the retina. Renal ultrasound showed grade III renal parenchymal changes and bilateral cortico-medullary cysts. These cases are presented to highlight the importance of timely recognition of renal derangement in patients with retinal disease to delay end stage renal disease.

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia is defined as platelet count less than 150×109 /L, it has a greater incidence in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) compared to wards and its most common cause is increased platelet consumption. Aims: To investigate incidence of thrombocytopenia, platelet transfusions requirement, associated diseases and relationship between thrombocytopenia and mortality. Materials and Methods: Eleven months hospital records between October 2013 and August 2014 of the PICU in a tertiary care teaching hospital was investigated retrospectively and 275 critically ill children formed the sample. Statistical analysis: Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used. Probability value (p-value) of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results were confirmed using χ2 test. Results: Out of 275 patients {168 males (61.09%) and 107 females (38.91%)}, 89 patients had thrombocytopenia. Out of these 89 patients, 43 patients (48.31%) had severe, 24 patients (27.91%) had moderate and 22 patients (24.72%) had mild thrombocytopenia. The 43 patients having severe thrombocytopenia received platelet transfusion and out of these 43 patients 24 (55.81%) received more than one transfusion and 18 (41.86%) of the transfused patients expired. Among thrombocytopaenic patients, Sepsis (25.84%) was the most common diagnosis followed by Pneumonia (19.10%), Meningitis (13.48%), Diabetic Ketoacidosis (5.62%), Enteric fever (7.86%), Tubercular Meningitis (3.37%), Infantile Tremor Syndrome (2.25%), Congenital heart disease (5.62%), Burns (3.37%), Brain Haemorrhage (2.25%%), Hepatic abscess (1.12%), Chronic Renal Failure (3.37%), Malaria (2.25%) and Hepatitis (4.49%). There is a statistically significant association between thrombocytopenia and mortality. A significant association was established between mortality in thrombocytopenic patients of sepsis. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia is commonly associated with sepsis. Mortality rate is higher in thrombocytopenic patients.

INTRODUCTION: A preterm infant is a baby born before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Preterm infants often have low weight at birth so birth weight is the single most important marker of adverse perinatal and neonatal outcome. So Touch therapy, tactile stimulation, stroking and flexing by the nurse or preferably by the mother provide useful tactile simulations to the baby that helps in weight gain in infant &to explore new measures to manage weight in preterm infants, this study has been done. AIM : Aim of the study to assess the effectiveness of touch therapy on weight gain among preterm infants admitted in NICU at G.G.S Medical Hospital, Faridkot. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quantitative research approach and Quasi-experimental research design was used. Study setting includes NICU of G.G.S. Medical Hospital, Faridkot. Study population 60 preterm infants between 32 to 36 weeks of gestational age. Convenient sampling technique was used and random allocation of study subjects is done. Socio demographic data sheet to collect baseline information and a data sheet was prepared to record the weight in preterm infants using digital weighing machine. RESULTS: The results of the study revealed that the conventional care and experimental group were homogenous with respect to selected socio demographic variables. Beneficial effects of Touch therapy on weight gain among preterm infants on 14th day were found to be statistically significant at p< 0.05. In comparison of experimental and conventional care group, the mean difference in the weight was found to be 2157.67 in experimental group and 1940.33 in conventional care group. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, it is concluded that Touch therapy is found to be more effective in term of weight gain among preterm infants in experimental group as compared to conventional care group and thus can be used as a routine care for effective weight gain among preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes that happens when there is too much bilirubin in the blood. It is a benign transient physiological event in the majority of newborns but can cause irreversible brain damage and kernicterus in infants if the serum bilirubin levels are very high. Phototherapy is the most frequently used treatment when serum bilirubin levels exceed physiological limits. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the effectiveness of LED phototherapy vs conventional phototherapy in decreasing total serum bilirubin level in neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quantitative research approach and quasi-experimental pre test post test control design was used for study. Study setting includes NICU, GGS Medical College & Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab.Sample size was 60 neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, 30 in each group selected with convenient sampling technique and randomly allocated to both groups. RESULTS : Results of study revealed that mean duration of phototherapy is 93.60 ± 14.57 and 101.60 ± 17.47 hrs and mean rate of fall of total serum bilirubin level is .06 ± .013 and .05± .016 mg/dl/hr in experimental and conventional care group respectively. Results of unpaired t-test showed non significant difference in total duration of phototherapy and rate of fall of total serum bilirubin level in both groups. Side effects occurred with less frequency in group receiving LED phototherapy. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of study is LED phototherapy is as effective as conventional phototherapy in decreasing total serum bilirubin levels. Considering less side effects, less energy consumption and longer life span, LED phototherapy can be a better option than current conventional phototherapy in treatment of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]