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Summary: Plasmodium vivax (Pv) malaria is being increasingly recognized as a cause of severe malaria in children. Objectives: To describe the various severe manifestations associated with vivax malaria by retrospective analysis of records. Methods: Children between the ages of 0 and 18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of Pv malaria monoinfection done by peripheral blood film (PBF) and/or rapid diagnostic test (RDT) admitted between June and September 2009 were included. Their clinical, hematological and biochemical manifestations were analyzed. Results: Twenty-three patients of Pv malaria were retrospectively analyzed. Thrombocytopenia was present in 22 (96%) patients with counts less than 50,000/μL in 9 patients. Severe anemia (hgb<5mg/dl) was present in 8 (34%) patients. Cerebral malaria was present in 3 patients. Liver enzymes were elevated (>3 times normal) in 4 (17.3%) patients while jaundice (bilirubin>2.5mg/dl) was present in 2 patients (total bilirubin 5.2mg/dl and 14.3mg/dl). Renal dysfunction (creatinine>3mg/dl) was present in 6 (26%) patients with 2 patients showing severely deranged renal functions (blood urea 168mg/dl, 222mg/dl and serum creatinine 5.0mg/dl, 5.6mg/dl, respectively). Hypernatremia was present in one patient. One patient expired within 12h of presentation because of severely deranged hepatic and renal dysfunction. Conclusion: Pv malaria can lead to unusual and fatal complications. All new guidelines should include “Severe Vivax malaria” as a clinical entity. Further research into the etiopathogenesis and treatment would be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the emerging trend of fast food culture among Indian children and adolescents in which they are lured by marketing strategies and peer pressure. Obesity and cardiovascular diseases can reportedly develop early when a diet high in sugar, saturated fat, salt and calorie content is consumed. It is stated that intake of such foods among children can be reduced by an increased educational campaign on junk foods, nutritional labeling of foods, careful regulation of fast food marketing and promotion of healthy eating habits.

Caspofungin is a new antifungal drug meant for intravenous use. It has been shown to be comparable to other antifungal agents such as amphotericin B and fluconazole for empirical therapy in febrile neutropenic patients, oropharyngeal/esophageal candidiasis and invasive aspergillosis. Its efficacy has also been documented in children in small uncontrolled trials. The biggest assets of caspofungin are its excellent tolerability/safety profile and minimal drug interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typhoid fever is associated with a wide spectrum of neurological complications. Acute transverse myelitis is a rare complication with only a few reports in adults and none in children. A 15-year-old boy with typhoid fever is reported who developed acute transverse myelitis in the 3rd week of illness. He was treated with antibiotics and corticosteroids and made a complete recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]