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OBJECTIVES: Evaluating local trends and continued monitoring of patterns of acute poisoning are essential for prompt recognition of the toxidromes, the establishment of immediate treatment facilities (e.g., antidote availability), and effective preventive strategies (e.g., governmental regulation on hazardous substances marketing). We aimed to describe the prevalence of the various types of poisoning and associated case fatality in our academic hospital in North India. METHODS: A prospective observational descriptive study was conducted, enrolling patients aged ≥13 years with acute poisoning for 17 months from December 2016 to December 2017 and from September 2019 to December 2019, for a total of 17 months. RESULTS: Four hundred and two patients were enrolled (median age 28 years; 63.2% males). Majority of the acute poisoning cases resulted from ingestion (n = 391, 97.3%) and the primary intention was most commonly self-harm (n = 314, 78.1%). The major types of poisoning were pesticide (n = 264, 65.7%), drug overdose (n = 77, 19.2%), and corrosive ingestion (n = 31, 7.7%). Pesticides included insecticides (n = 146, 36.3%; cholinesterase inhibitors, n = 91), fungicides (n = 76, 18.9%; all aluminum phosphide), herbicides (n = 22, 5.5%; paraquat, n = 19), and rodenticides (n = 20, 5.0%; coumarin-derived substances, n = 12). Benzodiazepines (n = 33) and opioids (n = 25) were frequent causes of drug overdose. 95.3% (n = 379) received preliminary treatment at the previous health-care center, including gastric lavage (n = 239) and antidotes (n = 73). In-hospital case fatality rate was 17.3% (n = 58). CONCLUSION: Herbicide ingestion and opioid overdose are emerging threats with a gradual decline in organophosphate and aluminum phosphide poisoning. Despite improving management of acute poisoning, the overall case fatality rate remains substantial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The burden of stroke is increasing in India; stroke is now the fourth leading cause of death and the fifth leading cause of disability. Previous research suggests that the incidence of stroke in India ranges between 105 and 152/100,000 people per year. However, there is a paucity of available data and a lack of uniform methods across published studies. Aim: To identify high-quality prospective studies reporting the epidemiology of stroke in India. Summary of review: A search strategy was modified from the Cochrane Stroke Strategy and adapted for a range of bibliographic databases from January 1997 to August 2020. From 7717 identified records, nine studies were selected for inclusion; three population-based registries, a further three population-based registries also using community-based ascertainment and three community-based door-to-door surveys. Studies represented the four cities of Mumbai, Trivandrum, Ludhiana, Kolkata, the state of Punjab, and 12 villages of Baruipur in the state of West Bengal. The total population denominator was 22,479,509 and 11,654 (mean 1294 SD 1710) people were identified with incident stroke. Crude incidence of stroke ranged from 108 to 172/100,000 people per year, crude prevalence from 26 to 757/100,000 people per year, and one-month case fatality rates from 18% to 42%. Conclusions: Further high-quality evidence is needed across India to guide stroke policy and inform the development and organization of stroke services. Future researchers should consider the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to Surveillance framework, including longitudinal data collection, the inclusion of census population data, and a combination of hospital-registry and comprehensive community ascertainment strategies to ensure complete stroke identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dengue is one of the most widespread arthropod borne diseases worldwide with an annual incidence of 50-100 million cases per year. The recent resurgence of dengue in the pediatric population has created concern among pediatricians, especially due to increased incidence of atypical features, leading to delayed diagnosis and increased mortality. There are few studies regarding this due to under reporting of the cases. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to study the clinical profile and outcome of dengue patients between the age groups of 1 month and 12 years with special emphasis on patients with atypical features. Dengue patients with atypical presentation are easily misdiagnosed by physicians, especially in the pediatric age group which increases the morbidity and mortality. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted from May 2018 to September 2019 in the Department of Pediatrics, CNMCH. All pediatric patients who were dengue IgM or dengue NS1 positive were included in the study and their course of stay was followed through hospital records. The data were statistically analyzed through SPSS 16.0 software. Results: Sixtytwo dengue patients were included in the study. Thirty-two patients presented as mild febrile illness, classical dengue fever (DF), dengue hemorrhagic fever, or shock syndrome without atypical manifestations. Atypical manifestations were found in 30 patients (48.38%) of our study. Eleven (17.7%) patients had splenomegaly, 5 (8.1%) patients had hepatitis, 3 (4.8%) patients had diarrhea, 2 (3.2%) patients had acalculous cholecystitis, 1 (1.6%) patient had hepatitis with acalculous cholecystitis, 1 (1.6%) patient had hepatitis with diarrhea, 1 (1.6%) patient had myocarditis, 1 (1.6%) patient had paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, 1 (1.6%) patient had acute pancreatitis, 1 (1.6%) patient had acute kidney injury, 1 (1.6%) patient had ARDS, 1 (1.6%) patient had encephalitis, and 1 (1.6%) patient had myositis. Need of intensive care facility was more in patients with atypical manifestations due to mis or late diagnosis which prolonged course of stay. Conclusion: Atypical manifestations of DF are more common than reported. Lack of awareness among physicians, especially in primary health center, leads to delayed diagnosis and increased mortality and morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel Coronavirus outbreak was originated from Wuhan, China, was first reported in India on 30th January 2020. The impact of an epidemic depends on the number of persons infected, infection transmissibility and the spectrum of clinical severity. To determine the impact of outbreak, analysis of the existing record was done. The objective of this study was to determine the demographic factors, case fatality rate, its association and trend was observed among positive cases reported in Gwalior district. Covid-19 related data collected at the IDSP unit of Gwalior District was analysed. A total of 11281 case reported between 30th March to 11th October was included and their recorded data was analysed using mean, median, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. The study shows that Mean age of the cases was 39.95±16.75 while their median age was 38.0 (27.0-52.0). Maximum cases were in the age group of 21-30 (25.6%). On assessing the current status, 94.7% patients were discharged from isolation/treatment facility, 4% case were active while 1.3% died. Risk Ratio (Odds Ratio) for death was calculated for different characteristics. It was concluded from the present study that the outcome of disease was found statistically significant in age groups, residence in containment area and isolation status among patients by using logistic regression analysis. Also, no gender predilection of the disease and its mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neonates born somewhere else (outborn) and treated in a referral centre have different microbiological profile. We report the microorganism's profile and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in blood culture proven sepsis in outborn neonates.Methods: Culture positive neonatal sepsis from a neonatal unit of a referral institute catering to outborn neonates was studied over an 18 months duration. Data from the hospital information system were used to analyse the culture positivity rates, the spectrum of the microorganisms isolated and AMR pattern.Results: Out of 5258 admitted neonates, 3687 blood samples were sent for suspect sepsis. The blood cultures were positive in 537 (14.6%) samples from 514 neonates. Gram-positive cocci (GPC) were the most common [240 (45%)] followed by gram-negative bacilli (GNB) [233 (43.4%)] and fungi [64 (11.9%)]. Coagulase negative staphylococcus (CONS) contributed to two-thirds of GPC followed by Klebsiella [93 (17.3%)] and Acinetobacter species [52 (9.7%)]. In 403 (75%) neonates, organisms grew in the samples sent at or within 24 h of admission. The case fatality rate was significantly higher in those with culture positive sepsis. The resistance to meropenem and imipenem was documented in 57.1% and 49.7%, respectively and 48% of the GNB was multidrug resistant.Conclusions: CONS followed by Klebsiella species were the most common organisms isolated. Three-fourths of the neonates had organisms grown at or within 24 h from admission. More than half of the GNB were multidrug resistant. The case fatality rate was significantly higher in those with culture positive sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the clinical profile, etiologies and predictors of mortality in patients with convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) among rural population of North India in view of limited published data on epidemiology and etiology of status epilepticus (SE) from developing countries. Methods: One hundred sixty-two consecutive adult patients with CSE were evaluated from 2016 to 2018 for demographic profile, etiologies and predictors of poor outcome. Results: The mean age was 41.71 ± 19.72 years. Most of the CSE cases were acute symptomatic (48.8%) type with central nervous system (CNS) infections (24.1%) being the predominant precipitating factor. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) noncompliance accounted for 34.9% of the cases with pre-existing epilepsy. The median duration of CSE was 5.5 h (IQR-3-10 h). 82.1% cases responded to the first line drugs and their response was related with duration of CSE (p = .0045). Case fatality was 16.0% and the predictors of the mortality were; low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (OR =9.64, 95% CI= 2.064-45.02; p = .0001), lack of response to first line drugs (OR =0.019, 95% CI= 0.003-0.11; p = .0001) and absence of past history of epilepsy (OR =0.525, 95%CI =0.104-2.66; p = .004). Conclusions: CNS infection and AEDs noncompliance were identified to be the major cause of CSE which can be potentially preventable. Present study signifies that prompt and successful control of infections appears to be the most efficient preventive approach. Level of consciousness as a potential predictor of poor outcome can be quickly accessible to the treating clinician in optimizing treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Eclampsia is a very serious complication of pregnancy which is responsible for high maternal and perinatal mortality. Worldwide, it accounts for 50,000 maternal deaths annually. In spite of several global and regional interventions and initiatives from governments and other concerned agencies, maternal mortality is still very high in India, with eclampsia as a major cause. This study was conducted to determine the mode of deaths and incidence of maternal mortality associated with eclampsia and to assess how socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the women influence the deaths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 111 eclampsia related maternal deaths over a period of 5 years from January 2008 to December 2012. Data pertaining to their age, parity, booking status, gestational age at delivery, and time interval from admission to death were also obtained from the records for analysis. RESULTS: Eclampsia accounted for 43.35% of total maternal deaths, with case fatality of 4.960%. The commonest mode of death in eclampsia is pulmonary oedema. Death due to eclampsia commonly occurs in younger age group of 19-24 years and in primi gravid. Eclampsia related deaths were mostly seen in illiterate and unbooked cases. Maternal deaths were also very common in lower socio economic status. CONCLUSION: Eclampsia still remains the major cause of maternal mortality in this region resulting from unsupervised pregnancies and deliveries. There is a need to educate and encourage the general public for antenatal care and hospital delivery by which we can defeat this powerful enemy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung affecting the alveoli with the infection of microorganisms. Aim: The present study aims to find out the case fatality of pneumonia based on the variables such as age, sex and year. Study Design and Settings: It is a retrospective study of five years conducted in medical college hospital at the Ernakulam district of Kerala State in India. Methods and Materials: The data were collected from the Medical Records department and analyzed by using Microsoft Excel. Statistical Analysis Used: 'Z' test was applied for finding out the difference in proportions. Result: Out of 5496 pneumonia cases, 3340 (60.77%) were males and 2156 (39.22%) were females. The proportion of males was higher than females. The proportion of pneumonia cases was higher in the low age group (0-5 years) than other age groups. Broncho-pneumonia (84.95%) was reported as the most dominant type of infection in the present study. Of 5496 cases, 79 deaths were reported with a case fatality rate of 1.43%. Case fatality rate among males (1.67%) was higher than females (1.06%) (P = 0.05). Case fatality rate of pneumonia in 0-5 years was 0.11% and 36.84% in 85 years and above. Case fatality of pneumonia increased from 0.55% in 2005 to 4.39% in 2010. Conclusion: The case infection of pneumonia is higher in low age groups due to associated risk factors while case fatality is higher in old age groups may be due to aging of organ systems and age-associated diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in children under the age of four years for a period of one year. By domiciliary visits the diarrheal episodes were recorded, analysed and presented. The findings are based on the diarrheal experience of 4860 children. The attack rate was 2.6/child/year. Family with more than one child had more attacks. Mean duration was 5.76 days and 11.2% had lasted more than 7 days. All the age groups are similarly affected. 75.6% were just plain loose motions and only 4.9% had blood, mucus or fever associated with loose motions. Case fatality was 0.6%. Attack rate was more in June-August and December-February than the other quarters. 42.2% were shown to R.M.P.s. and 33.6% consulted friends or relatives. More than 2/3 gave mainly home made ORS. 69.9% restricted food during attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization call to halve global snakebite deaths by 2030 will require substantial progress in India. We analyzed 2833 snakebite deaths from 611,483 verbal autopsies in the nationally representative Indian Million Death Study from 2001 to 2014, and conducted a systematic literature review from 2000 to 2019 covering 87,590 snakebites. We estimate that India had 1.2 million snakebite deaths (average 58,000/year) from 2000 to 2019. Nearly half occurred at ages 30-69 years and over a quarter in children < 15 years. Most occurred at home in the rural areas. About 70% occurred in eight higher burden states and half during the rainy season and at low altitude. The risk of an Indian dying from snakebite before age 70 is about 1 in 250, but notably higher in some areas. More crudely, we estimate 1.11-1.77 million bites in 2015, of which 70% showed symptoms of envenomation. Prevention and treatment strategies might substantially reduce snakebite mortality in India., Competing Interests: WS, DW, RW, GM, RR, SF, RB, PS, KP, MB, PB No competing interests declared, PJ Reviewing editor, eLife, (© 2020, Suraweera et al.)