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Background : Sepsis is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in the newborn. Early diagnosis and treatment is vital to improve outcome. The present study was therefore carried out to determine the usefulness of C-reactive protein (CRP) for evaluation of neonatal sepsis in teaching hospital of central India. Method: 82 neonates with clinical suspicion of sepsis were prospectively studied over a 12 month period. Blood was obtained from each subject recruited for the qualitative estimation of CRP. Blood culture was used as gold standard for diagnosis of NNS. Results: Of 82 neonates studied, 67 (81.7%) had positive CRP while 58 (70.73%) had positive blood culture. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of CRP were 81.7%, 88.0%, 95.7%, 59.5% and 83.2%. respectively. Conclusion : The qualitative method of estimating CRP which is cheap and rapid has moderate sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value. It is a good diagnostic test and can identify the infection in neonates at the time of initial assessment.

Introduction: Tuberculosis as a disease is of great public health problem in developing countries like India. Children contribute a significant proportion of disease burden and suffer from severe form of disease, but because of difficulty in establishing an accurate diagnosis, data of disease burden in pediatric population is lacking. This study is an attempt to assess clinical profile of tuberculosis in children upto 5 years of age. Method: present study was conducted at Kamla Raja Hospital & Gajra Raja Medical College Gwalior over a period of six months. 77 cases up to 5 years of age were selected from in-patient department, who were diagnosed to have tuberculosis. A detailed history of epidemiological factors including past history of infectious disease, history of contact contributing to disease state was recorded on predesigned Performa. Complete clinical examination and laboratory investigation was done to confirm the diagnosis. Result: approximately 70 % of study group was distributed in 2- 5 years of age group. Cases of CNS tuberculosis formed the main bulk to the study contributing 70.13% followed by intrathoracic (~16.88%), disseminated (6.49%), abdominal (5.19%) & lymphoid (1.29%) tuberculosis. Severe malnutrition, low socio economic status, illiteracy of parents were the important epidemiological factor affecting the disease status of child. Conclusion: childhood tuberculosis remained the neglected part in NTCP until RNTCP was introduced. Childhood cases have shown increasing trends with the advent of HIV infection. Prompt suspicion and early diagnosis can be an important step in controlling this epidemic.

Introduction: The Present study is an attempt to assess the level of lead in blood in general population and it’s Impact on intelligence. Methods: A random sample of 70 children between the ages of 1-12 year’s residing in and around Gwalior region, attending Pediatrics OPD of GRMC Gwalior, constituted the material for study. A detail history and examination was done to asses various factor affecting lead status of child. Blood lead level was assessed at DRDE Gwalior and Intelligence was also assessed simultaneously. Results: On data analysis more than 50% off study group was found to have blood lead level above safe level (10 mcg/dl). On analysis of effect of raised lead level on intelligence, it was found that raised blood lead level was associated with decrease in IQ. At various lead levels IQ status were as following, at lead level of 0 - 5 mcg/dl; IQ 96.64%, 5 - 10 mcg/dl; IQ 94.33%, 10 - 15 mcg/dl; IQ 89.05%, 15-20 mcg/dl; IQ 79.75% and at lead level more than 20 mcg/dl; IQ 73.8%. This decrease in intelligence level with increase in blood lead level was statically significant. Conclusion: A healthy appearing child may have silent lead poisoning affecting his intelligence without clinically apparent symptoms and signs until much later in life. High degree of suspicion, in a child with history of pica and poor nutrition status should be there for early diagnosis.