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Background: With improved access to highly active antiretrieval treatment, many children with perintally acquired HIV are now able live longer. These children are now reaching into adolescence and sexually active. This qualitative, explorative study examines the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs and concerns of adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in India. Materials and Methods: We used qualitative research design to collect the data. Twenty participants were recruited from two nongovernmental organizations which provide shelter care, education, and emotional and social support to HIV/AIDS orphan children located in Bengaluru District of Karnataka State using purposive sampling. In-depth interview guide was prepared and used to elicit the adolescents' concerns, knowledge, and perspective related to sexuality, marriage, child bearing, and barriers in availing SRH services in the context of HIV. Results: Totally, four themes were emerged from that qualitative data based on thematic analysis, which are as follows: “Perceived challenges in relation to romantic relationship;” “Confusion regarding whether to marry person with HIV positive or HIV negative;” “Aspiration to have children,” and “Perspective of ALHIV in relation to SRH needs and concerns.” Conclusion: The findings of the research brought out the need for policies and guidelines specifically targeting the SRH needs and concerns of ALHIV.

Objective: This study aims to discuss the prevalence of polycystic ovary (PCO) and Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women with epilepsy (WWE) on valproate (VPA), carbamazepine (CBZ), or phenobarbitone (PB), drug naive WWE and women with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) on VPA. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 190 women aged 18-45 years, who had epilepsy or BPAD (on VPA), and consented for study. Patients were grouped as Group 1 (n = 40): WWE on VPA, Group 2 (n = 50): WWE on CBZ, Group 3 (n = 50): WWE on PB, Group 4 (n = 30): drug naοve WWE, and Group 5 (n = 20): women with BPAD on VPA. All women were interviewed for medical, menstrual, drug and treatment history, nature of epilepsy, and seizure control. Chi-square test and Fisher′s exact test were done to compare results between the groups. Results: Fifty-two women (52/190; 27.4%) had menstrual disturbances, in which oligomenorrhea was the most common (55.8%). There was a significant difference in the occurrence of PCOS in patients on VPA versus normal population (P = 0.05) and patients on other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (P = 0.02). There was, however, no significant difference in the occurrence of PCO between patients on VPA and the untreated epileptic women. VPA group (Epilepsy + BPAD) had a significantly higher occurrence of obesity than other treatment groups (P = 0.043, OR = 2.11). Conclusions: The study observed significantly higher occurrence of PCO in patients on VPA compared to other AEDs and the normal population. The importance of proper clinical evaluation before initiating VPA is highlighted.

Background: There is a recent trend of increase in diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in India. Till date, there are few retrospective and prospective Indian studies with limited sample sizes ranging from 16 to 94 children. With this background, we planned a retrospective chart review of all new cases of Autism Spectrum Disorder for a period of 1 year in our tertiary care child psychiatry centre., Methodology: Objectives of this study were to compare the sociodemographic and clinical profile of children below and above 3 years of age and between those who were self-referred versus those referred by professionals., Results: Out of a total of 1957 case records, 201 children (10.3%) were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Male to female ratio was 4:1.2. Mean age of consultation was significantly higher in males. Seventy six percent had a comorbid disorder with Intellectual disability, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Epilepsy being the most common comorbidities. Most caregivers (92.5%) recognized symptoms by 3 years of age. Presenting complaint of poor social response was more prevalent in children <3 years and co-morbidities in children above 3 years. Presenting complaint of speech delay was more common in children who were referred by professionals when compared with those who were self-referred., Discussion: There is a need to sensitize parents and professionals for early intervention and to standardize protocols for assessment and intervention., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)