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Objectives: To study vitamin C levels in children with transfusion-dependent b-thalassemia and correlate with age, transfusions received and iron overload; and to study the effect of administering vitamin C on its levels and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in deficient patients., Methods: This case-control study enrolled 100 children with transfusion-dependent b-thalassemia and 30 healthy controls. MDA levels before and after administration of vitamin C were performed randomly in 36 children with low vitamin C levels., Results: 81/95 (85.3%) study subjects vs none in control group, had low plasma vitamin C levels (P<0.001). Vitamin C levels were low in 64 of 71 (74.7%) subjects with dietary deficiency, while none of the 19 (63.3%) controls with dietary deficiency had low levels (P=0.04). Increasing serum ferritin values correlated with vitamin C deficiency (P=0.02). The mean level of MDA reduced (P<0.001) with vitamin C supplementation., Conclusions: Low levels of vitamin C are common in children with thalassemia. Dietary counseling along with supplementation with vitamin C, in those with low levels may prevent oxidative stress.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of HLA-B*5701 allele in HIV-infected children, and to find its association with Abacavir hypersensitivity., Methods: Children (2 to 18 y) already on, or to be initiated on Abacavir were included for PCR sequencing to detect HLA-B*5701., Outcome Measures Were: proportion with HLA B*5701 allele and hypersensitivity with Abacavir. Abacavir was stopped if patient tested positive for HLA-B*5701 allele., Results: 100 children (median age 11 y) were enrolled; 10 were already on Abacavir. HLA-B*5701 positivity was observed in 11 (11%) children. Two of these 11 children developed hypersensitivity after initiation of Abacavir. Abacavir was thereafter stopped in all who tested HLA-B*5701 positive, irrespective of the development of hypersensitivity reaction., Conclusion: HLA-B*5701 allele was present in 11 (11%) of HIV-infected children, of which two developed Abacavir hypersensitivity. None of the patients without the allele developed hypersensitivity.

Objective: To study clinical profile and outcome in patients with methemoglobinemia following exposure to toxic colors during Holi festival., Methods: This retrospective study included 112 children (5 to 12 years) admitted with methemoglobinemia after playing Holi. Clinical and treatment details were reviewed., Results: The common symptoms were giddiness, vomiting and headache. Treatment included thorough skin wash, intravenous fluid and methylene blue in 111 children. Age 7-9 and > 11 years, vomiting, giddiness, cyanosis, PaO2 < 80 mm Hg and oxygen saturation < 95% were associated with higher need for methylene blue. All children had a good outcome., Conclusion: Timely diagnosis and management of acquired methemoglobinemia can save lives.