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Objective To assess the usefulness and safety of flexible bronchoscopy in ventilated neonates with extubation failure. Method This was a prospective observational study. Flexible bronchoscopy was done in eligible patients with failure of extubation form invasive ventilation. The main outcome measure was to find the presence of any anatomic or dynamic abnormalities of the airways of these patients and the organism profile of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Results Forty-eight babies (68.8% preterm) were enrolled in the study. The most common finding on bronchoscopy was airway edema seen in 13 (27%) patients. BAL culture was positive in 29 (74%) patients. Overall treatment was modified in 35 (73%) patients based on bronchoscopy findings/BAL culture. Majority of infants (83.3%) tolerated the procedure very well. Conclusion Flexible bronchoscopy provides useful information in the management of newborn babies with extubation failure.

Background India introduced rotavirus vaccines (RVV, monovalent, Rotavac™ and pentavalent, Rotasiil™) in April 2016 with 6, 10 and 14 weeks schedule and expanded countrywide in phases. We describe the epidemiology of intussusception among children aged 2–23 months in India. Methods The prospective surveillance at 19 nationally representative sentinel hospitals from four regions recruited children with intussusception from April 2016 to September 2017. Data on sociodemography, immunization, clinical, treatment and outcome were collected. Along with descriptive analysis, key parameters between four regions were compared using Chi-Square/Fisher’s exact/Mann–Whitney U/Kruskal-Wallis tests. The pre- and post-RVV periods were compared to estimate the risk ratios. Results Six hundred twenty-one children with intussusception from South (n = 262), East (n = 190), North (n = 136) and West (n = 33) regions were recruited. Majority (n = 465, 74.8%) were infants (40.0% aged 4–7 months) with median age 8 months (IQR 5, 13 months), predominantly males (n = 408, 65.7%) and half (n = 311, 50.0%) occurred during March–June months. A shorter interval between weaning and intussusception was observed for ragi based food (median 1 month, IQR 0–4.2 months) compared to rice (median 4 months, IQR 1–9 months) and wheat (median 3 months, IQR 1–7 months) based food (p Conclusions Intussusception cases were observed across all sites, although there were variations in cases, presentation and mode of management. The high case load age coincided with age of the RVV third dose. The association with ragi based weaning food in intussusception needs further evaluation.

ObjectiveTo study bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings in various respiratory diseases in children in Kashmir India.DesignProspective observational study.SettingPaediatric department of the tertiary care hospital.PatientsChildren of both genders from 1 month to 17 years of ageInterventionAll studied patients underwent flexible bronchoscopy and BAL.Outcome measureTo observe the BAL findings in various respiratory diseases in the studied population.ResultsA total of 283 patients underwent BAL procedure. The positive BAL report was received in 131 (46%) patients. Out of these, 55 (42%) patients had positive BAL culture/ microscopy for different bacterial (50) and fungal species (Candidaspp (3), Mucormycosis (1) andAspergillus(1)). MTB was isolated in 25 (19%) patients. Twenty-three (17.5%) patients had bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) positive for pulmonary hydatidosis. Foamy macrophages were seen in 13 patients, significant eosinophilia in nine patients and hemosiderin-laden macrophages were seen in three patients.ConclusionWe found BALF a very useful sample for the evaluation of many infective and non-infective respiratory diseases in our region, which otherwise lacks high end diagnostics. 46% of our patients had some abnormalities in the BAL specimen. It provided us with valuable information regarding organism profile and drug sensitivity in case of lung infection. BALF analysis was also found useful in the diagnosis of some non-infective pulmonary disorders like acute eosinophilic pneumonia, aspiration syndromes and bronchial asthma.

Background The role of serum Procalcitonin (PCT) in adults in diagnosis of Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is well established, however, role in pediatric CAP remains controversial. Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the utility of serum procalcitonin in differentiating bacterial community-acquired lower respiratory tract infection from non-bacterial respiratory infection in children; radiologically confirmed pneumonia was used as the reference. In addition, we assessed the utility of adding the PCT assay to the clinical criteria for diagnosis of pneumonia. Study design Subanalysis of a larger prospective,multicentriccohort study. Participants Children, 2 months to 59 months of age, attending paediatric OPD of 5 urban tertiary care hospitals, suffering from acute respiratory infection (ARI). Intervention Detailed clinical history and examination findings of enrolled children were recorded on predesigned case record form. Samples for PCT were obtained at admission and were measured centrally at the end of the study except for one site using VIDAS® B.R.A.H.M.S PCT kit (Biomerieux SA, France). Outcomes Sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin for diagnosis of radiologically confirmed pneumonia. Results Serum Procalcitonin was measured in 370 patients; median (IQR) age of these children being 12 (7, 22) months, 235 (63.5%) were boys. The median (IQR) serum procalcitonin concentration was 0.1(0.05, 0.4) ng/mL.Sensitivity and specificity of raised PCT (> 0.5 ng/mL) for pneumonia as per any CXR abnormalities were 29.7% and87.5%,(P P P . Adding PCT to the existing clinical criteria of WHO did not improve the sensitivity for diagnosis of pneumonia. PCT was significantly higher in children with severe pneumonia. Conclusion Positive PCT (> 0.5 ng/mL) is significantly associated with radiographic pneumonia but not with pneumonia based on WHO criteria.However, it can act as a surrogate marker for severe pneumonia.

Background: The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency remains high in cystic fibrosis despite daily supplementation. Vitamin D as an immunomodulator has been related to lower respiratory tract infections in children. The present study was undertaken to examine the association between vitamin D status and markers of cystic fibrosis-related pulmonary disease including exacerbations, bacterial colonization and pulmonary function. Methods: The study includes review of records of 51 cystic fibrosis patients. Baseline patient variables and serum vitamin D levels were recorded. Based on vitamin D levels study patients were divided into three groups: vitamin-D sufficient (≥20 ng/mL), vitamin-D insufficient (12 to 20 ng/mL), and vitamin D-deficient (≤12 ng/ml). Results: The proportion of children with deficient, insufficient and sufficient vitamin D levels were 47.1%, 15.7%, and 37.2%, respectively. Female sex, bacterial colonization and a greater number of exacerbations were associated with highest odds of developing vitamin D deficiency in patients with CF with 1.77 (0.22–4.61) (p = 0.002), 2.9(0.57−14.82) (p = 0.011), and 5.12 (1.28−20.50) (p = 0.021) respectively. The comparison of vitamin-D levels taken during exacerbations, colonization and during routine follow-up were significant [16.04 (7.42−27.91), 24.3 (15.5−32.4) and 48.54 (18.37−78.7) ng/ml, p

Objective The objective of this study is to find the organism profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Hospital-based study. Intervention Sputum cultures/throat swabs were collected from the study population. Relevant details like anthropometry, systemic examination findings and investigations were entered in a pre-designed format. Sputum culture was subjected to microbiological analysis at the hospital microbiology laboratory. Main outcome measure Prevalence of positive sputum/cough swab culture in CF patients, their organism profile and antibiotic sensitivity. Results A total of 63 patients were enrolled in the study. A total of 136 organisms were grown in our study population. Thirteen different organisms were isolated, which included five gram-positive bacteria, six gram-negative bacteria, eight Candida spp. and one filamentous. Antibiotic sensitivity profile of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed excellent sensitivity to all the aminoglycosides, piperacillin-tazobacteum and polymixin, similarly methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus and Enterococcus spp. were uniformly sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid and teicoplanin. Fungal isolates showed 100% sensitivity to all the antifungals tested including azoles and amphotericin B. Conclusion We observed 61% of culture positivity for different organisms in our study. Staphylococcus aureus and P. aeruginosa were the most frequently isolated organisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were largely sensitive to aminoglycosides, carbapenems and polymixin. We found an unusually higher incidence of enterococcal infection in our study cohort with few vancomycin-resistant isolates.

Introduction There is a lack of large multicentric studies in children with COVID-19 from developing countries. We aimed to describe the clinical profile and risk factors for severe disease in children hospitalized with COVID-19 from India. Methods In this multicentric retrospective study, we retrieved data related to demographic details, clinical features, including the severity of disease, laboratory investigations and outcome. Results We included 402 children with a median (IQR) age of 7 (2–11) years. Fever was the most common symptom, present in 38.2% of children. About 44% had underlying comorbidity. The majority were asymptomatic (144, 35.8%) or mildly symptomatic (219, 54.5%). There were 39 (9.7%) moderate-severe cases and 13 (3.2%) deaths. The laboratory abnormalities included lymphopenia 25.4%, thrombocytopenia 22.1%, transaminitis 26.4%, low total serum protein 34.7%, low serum albumin 37.9% and low alkaline phosphatase 40%. Out of those who were tested, raised inflammatory markers were ferritin 58.9% (56/95), c-reactive protein 33.3% (41/123), procalcitonin 53.5% (46/86) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) 76%. The presence of fever, rash, vomiting, underlying comorbidity, increased total leucocyte count, thrombocytopenia, high urea, low total serum protein and raised c-reactive protein was factors associated with moderate to severe disease. Conclusion Fever was the commonest symptom. We identified additional laboratory abnormalities, namely lymphopenia, low total serum protein and albumin and low alkaline phosphatase. The majority of the children were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. We found high urea and low total serum protein as risk factors for moderate to severe disease for the first time.

ObjectivesThe study aimed to document the association between intussusception in Indian children and meteorological parameters and examine regional variations.DesignA bidirectional (retrospective and prospective) surveillance between July 2010 and September 2017.SettingAt 20 hospitals in India, retrospective case record review during July 2010 and March 2016 and prospective surveillance during April 2016 and September 2017 were performed.Participants2161 children aged 2–24 months with first intussusception episode were included.InterventionsThe monthly mean meteorological parameters (temperature, sunshine, rainfall, humidity and wind speed) for the study sites were collected.MethodsThe association between monthly intussusception cases and meteorological parameters was examined at pooled, regional and site levels using Pearson (r) and Spearman’s rank-order (ρ) correlation, factorial analysis of variance, and Poisson regression or negative binomial regression analyses.ResultsThe intussusception cases were highest in summer and lowest in autumn seasons. Pearson correlation analysis showed that temperature (r=0.056; pr=0.134; pr=0.075; pρ=0.049; pρ=0.096; pρ=0.051; pConclusionsSignificant correlations between intussusception cases and temperature, humidity, and wind speed were observed at pooled and regional level in India. A peak in summer months was noted, which may be used for prediction, early detection and referral for appropriate management of intussusception.

Background An association between rotavirus vaccination and intussusception has been documented in post-licensure studies in some countries. We evaluated the risk of intussusception associated with monovalent rotavirus vaccine (Rotavac) administered at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age in India. Methods Active prospective surveillance for intussusception was conducted at 22 hospitals across 16 states from April 2016 through September 2017. Data on demography, clinical features and vaccination were documented. Age-adjusted relative incidence for 1–7, 8–21, and 1–21 days after rotavirus vaccination in children aged 28–364 days at intussusception onset was estimated using the self-controlled case-series (SCCS) method. Only Brighton Collaboration level 1 cases were included. Results Out of 670 children aged 2–23 months with intussusception, 311 (46.4%) children were aged 28–364 days with confirmed vaccination status. Out of these, 52 intussusception cases with confirmed receipt of RVV were included in the SCCS analysis. No intussusception case was observed within 21 days of dose 1. Only one case occurred during 8–21 days after the dose 2. Post-dose 3, two cases in 1–7 days and 7 cases during 8–21 days period were observed. There was no increased risk of intussusception during 1–7 days after the doses 1 and 2 (zero cases observed) or dose 3 (relative incidence [RI], 1.71 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.0–5.11]). Similarly, no increased risk during 8–21 days after the dose 1 (zero cases observed), dose 2 (RI, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.0–3.28]) or dose 3 (RI, 2.52 [95% CI, 0.78–5.61]). The results were similar for 1–21 day periods after the doses separately or pooled. Conclusions The risk of intussusception during the first 21 days after any dose of rotavirus vaccine (Rotavac) was not higher among the Indian infants than the background risk, based on limited SCCS analysis of 52 children.

Background: India accounts for one-fourth of the global tuberculosis (TB) burden. Since the countrywide implementation of RNTCP, tuberculosis care has received renewed focus. Directly observed treatment short-term (DOTS) is a cornerstone of RNTCP program. Objective: To evaluate demographic profile, clinical presentation and outcome of TB in district Baramulla of North Kashmir. Methods: A prospective study over a period of seven years in patients diagnosed with TB in district Baramulla of North Kashmir. Results: This study was conducted prospectively over seven years from March 2011 to February 2017. A total of 802 patients were enrolled in the study. Among them, there were a total of 638 adult patients and 164 paediatric patients with a male: female ratio of 1:0.99. Majority of patients belonged to rural areas of north Kashmir and had received no or elementary education. Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 530 (66 %) patients and 272 (34%) patients were diagnosed as extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Sputum for AFB was important mode of diagnosis in our series and was positive in 525 (65%) our patients. Majority of patients presented with fever, weight loss, and night sweats. None of the patients had Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There was a consistent improvement in AFB isolation among TB patients over the study period. Majority of our patients were cured completely of disease Conclusion: Sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis remains the most common presentation of tuberculosis in North Kashmir. There is a steady increase in the proportion of bacteriologically confirmed TB cases over the study period. Furthermore, DOTS treatment is successful in all forms of tuberculosis. JMS 2018;21(1):11-16

Objective: To assess the diagnostic efficiency of cerebrospinal fluid markers of procalcitonin, lactate, and cerebrospinal fluid/serum lactate ratio for detecting bacterial meningitis during traumatic lumbar puncture, and to compare these markers with routinely used uncorrected and corrected leukocyte measurements. Methods: Infants aged ≤90 days with traumatic lumbar puncture were prospectively studied. The diagnostic characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid assays of uncorrected and corrected leukocyte count, procalcitonin, lactate, and lactate ratio were described and compared. Results: Considering the area under the curve (95% CI) analysis and standard cutoff values, the lactate-ratio (0.985 [0.964-0.989] at cutoff 1.2) had the best test indexes for identifying meningitis, followed by lactate (0.964 [0.945-0.984] at cutoff 2.2 mmol/L) and procalcitonin (0.939 [0.891-0.986] at cutoff 0.33 ng/mL) measurement, whereas the corrected total leukocyte count assay (0.906 [0.850-0.962] at cutoff 350 cells/mm3) had diagnostic properties moderately superior to uncorrected total leukocyte count measurement (0.870 [0.798-0.943] at cutoff 430 cells/mm3). Conclusion: Cerebrospinal fluid levels of procalcitonin, lactate, and lactate-ratio are reliable markers to diagnose bacterial meningitis in blood-contaminated cerebrospinal fluid.

Objective Intussusception has been linked with rotavirus vaccine (RVV) as a rare adverse reaction. In view of limited background data on intussusception in India and in preparation for RVV introduction, a surveillance network was established to document the epidemiology of intussusception cases in Indian children. Methods Intussusception in children 2–23 months were documented at 19 nationally representative sentinel hospitals through a retrospective surveillance for 69 months (July 2010 to March 2016). For each case clinical, hospital course, treatment and outcome data were collected. Results Among the 1588 intussusception cases, 54.5% were from South India and 66.3% were boys. The median age was 8 months (IQR 6, 12) with 34.6% aged 2–6 months. Seasonal variation with higher cases were documented during March-June period. The most common symptoms and signs were vomiting (63.4%), bloody stool (49.1%), abdominal pain (46.9%) and excessive crying (42.8%). The classical triad (vomiting, abdominal pain, and blood in stools) was observed in 25.6% cases. 96.4% cases were diagnosed by ultrasound with ileocolic location as the commonest (85.3%). Management was done by reduction (50.8%) and surgery (41.1%) and only 1% of the patients’ died. 91.1% cases met Brighton criteria level 1 and 3.3% Level 2. Between 2010 and 2015, the case load and case ratio increased across all regions. Conclusion Intussusception cases have occurred in children across all parts of the country, with low case fatality in the settings studied. The progressive rise cases could indicate an increasing awareness and availability of diagnostic facilities.

The objective of this research was to study the effectiveness and safety of proceduralist given sedation in pediatric flexible bronchoscopy. Flexible bronchoscopy was performed in all 267 patients. All patients received midazolam and/or ketamine. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of the studied population was 16 (18) months. The indication of bronchoscopy varied. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) dose of midazolam was 0.109 (0.03) mg/kg and that of ketamine was 1.17 (0.43) mg/kg. We observed minor side effects of procedural sedation. All patients underwent procedure successfully. Flexible bronchoscopy in children can be safely performed under sedation using a combination of midazolam and ketamine.

Aims To monitor serum sodium levels (in mEq/l) in healthy term/near-term infants in early neonatal period. To identify risk factors for hypernatremic dehydration and possible early interventions. Methods Only healthy term/near-term inborn babies were included. They were examined on days four, seven and ten of life. Blood samples were collected on days four and ten of life, serum was separated and stored at −20°C for subsequent analysis for sodium. Serum sodium was compared with weight loss and different risk factors were analysed for association with hypernatremia. Results 184 healthy term/near-term neonates were included. Mean serum sodium was 149±6.0 (135–172). Sodium levels were normal (135–145) in 47 (25.5%) neonates; hypernatremia of varying severity was detected in 137 (74.5%). 62 (33.7%) neonates had serum sodium levels between 146 and 150, 62 (33.7%) between 151 and 159, and 13 (7%) had serum sodium ≥160. By day 10 of life sodium levels had normalised in all except one, who was hospitalised on day 5 of life with hypernatremic dehydration. His day 4 serum sodium was subsequently found to be 172. Association of different risk factors with hypernatremia is in the table 1. Signs of dehydration were discernible in only nine patients and all of them had hypernatremia, however, most of the babies didn’t have obvious dehydration signs. Conclusion Mild to moderate hypernatremic dehydration is quite common in early neonatal period and adequate breastfeeding is an effective and safe intervention.

Background: Emergence of newer culture methods and other diagnostic aids for neonatal sepsis makes evaluation of known sepsis markers imperative to define their changing role. This study was designed to assess role of CRP, leukopenia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in neonatal sepsis in this changing era. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in a level-3 NICU in north India in 2013. Study duration was 1 year. All patients visiting our hospital with non-specific symptoms and signs suggestive of sepsis were admitted and evaluated. Neonates with confirmed sepsis were allotted to cases group and others to control group. CBC and CRP were taken from both groups; sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value of leucopenia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were assessed. Relationship of these markers with neonatal mortality was also assessed. Statistical analysis used was Graphpad Instat statistical software was used for analysis. Comparisons were made by chi-square test and Fischer’s exact test. A p-value

To study the prevalence of depression among caregivers of children with cystic fibrosis and its impact on the health and well being of these children. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from September 2015 through August 2016. Forty one parents of children receiving treatment at the Cystic fibrosis (CF) clinic were approached to be part of the study. Six families declined the request resulting in 85% recruitment rate. The Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to assess depression score among caregivers. The CES-D provides clinical cut-off scores of ≥16 that help in identifying persons at risk for depression. CES-D was completed by the parent closely associated with care of the affected child. Main outcome measure was to find the number of caregivers of patients who has score of ≥16 on CES-D scale, and its effect on growth and respiratory exacerbations of the affected child. A total of 23 fathers and 12 mothers participated in the study. The mean age of male and female caregivers was 30.9 ± 5.4 and 27.8 ± 4.7 y respectively. Eighteen (51.4%) caregivers scored above the clinical cut-off on the CES-D in the index study with mean score of 22.0 ± 4.0. The mean CES-D score among non-depressive caregivers was 7.76 ± 4.2. Significant negative association was found between parental depression and child’s health. Children with high parental CES-D score suffered significantly more respiratory exacerbations (3.83 ± 1.2 episodes) in last six months than parents with low CES-D score (2.18 ± 1.28 episodes) (p value = 0.00). Similarly, stunting was more commonly seen in patients with high caregiver CES-D score (15 vs. 7; P value = 0.01). A very high prevalence of caregiver depression was found in cystic fibrosis, which negatively impacted care and well being of the affected patients. Depression was more common in families with poor economic and education level.

Background: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) in children is considered one of the most important diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for physicians. Often there is no history of aspiration of foreign body in this population and these children present with a wide range of nonspecific signs and symptoms. The objective of the study was to study the diagnostic utility of chest computed tomography (CT) scan in children with suspected FBA in comparison to flexible bronchoscopy (FB) and the role of later as a therapeutic tool in the removal of airway foreign bodies. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted from January 2015 to August 2019. Children admitted for persistent respiratory symptoms underwent CT chest and FB for confirmation of the diagnosis and retrieval of the foreign body if present. Results: A total of 101 patients of both genders were enrolled in the study. Fifty-three participants were boys and 48 were girls. FBA was diagnosed in 53 patients on chest CT. On FB, FBA was confirmed in 55 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of chest CT in our study were 85% and 87% respectively. In 25 of these patients, removal was successfully done by the FB. Conclusion: We conclude that a Chest CT scan is inferior to FB in the diagnosis of suspected trachea-bronchial foreign bodies in children. FB as a therapeutic tool has an excellent safety record in the retrieval of airway foreign bodies in this population.

To study the relation between maternal overt hypothyroidism and neurodevelopmental outcome of neonates in iodine-deficient region of Northern India (Kashmir Valley).Prospective cohort study.Endocrinology department of a tertiary-care hospital.82 hypothyroid pregnant women were enrolled and followed up till delivery. The neonates born to this group represented the case neonates. 51 euthyroid healthy pregnant women were selected as control group. The neonates born to these mothers served as controls.Early neonatal behavioral assessment at 3-4 weeks of age.The mean TSH and free T4 in neonates of mothers with well controlled hypothyroidism was significantly different from those born to mothers with poorly controlled hypothyroidism and controls in 1st trimester, but the difference was statistically insignificant for 2nd and 3rd trimester values.Overt maternal hypothyroidism in iodine-deficient area constitutes a risk factor for an abnormal neurobehavioral development of affected child.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of dapsone as a cheap second-line treatment for chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in developing countries. Materials and Methods: A prospective study on 100 chronic ITP patients. These patients were put on dapsone after ruling out glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and secondary causes of ITP. Results: The basic work up for secondary causes of ITP was negative. All these patients had been treated with steroids in the past. Anti-D had been given acutely in 20 patients, and intravenous immunoglobulin G had been given in 10 patients. Vincristine had been given to 20 of these patients. Dapsone was started in these patients, and 44% patients showed a response to treatment. The mean time to onset of response was 21 days. Out of these 44 patients, 21 (47.7%) went into remission and had platelet count >100,000/μl at 2 years post tapering of the treatment. Remaining 23 patients were kept on low dose dapsone and maintained their platelet counts. Adverse drug reactions included mild skin eruptions in 5% of patients, pruritus in 10% of patients, dose-related hemolysis in 1% of patients, methemoglobinemia in 1% of patients and Stevens Johnson syndrome in 1% of patients. 56 patients were nonresponders to the available, affordable conventional medical treatment and were referred to the surgical department for splenectomy, with a cure rate of 86% postsurgery. Conclusions: Dapsone is a safe, cheap and effective treatment option for patients with chronic ITP, who cannot afford the usual costlier second-line drugs.

To study the utility of diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in children with non-resolving pneumonia. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care hospital from July 2015 through June 2016. Fifty-two consecutive children of both genders from 1 mo to 14 y of age with a diagnosis of non-resolving pneumonia were included. Flexible bronchoscopy was done in all patients with or without bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). BAL was sent for gram staining, culture, gene expert™ and lipid laden macrophages examination. Main outcome measures were to find any morphological abnormality in the tracheobronchial tree and organism profile of a positive BAL culture. During the period of 12 mo, 52 consecutive patients of non-resolving pneumonia were enrolled. Median (IQR) age of the study population was 12 (68.8) mo. Mean ± SD duration of illness was 22.7 ± 5.6 d. Flexible bronchoscopy was found to be very safe and effective tool that directly led to definitive diagnosis in 30.7% of cases. It was positive for different organisms in 22 (52.3%) children. Neglected foreign body was seen in five patients. Non-resolving pneumonia is often an area of clinical dilemma. Bacterial infections are the commonest etiology. Non-infectious causes like tracheobronchomalacia and foreign body aspiration are other important etiologies to be looked for. Early bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage analysis can play a crucial role in the evaluation of these patients and may provide an important clue or strongly support the specific diagnosis.

Objective To study the effect of thiamine administration on the resolution of pulmonary hypertension in exclusively breastfed infants. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Hospital based study of a tertiary care hospital. Patients A total of 29 infants with 17 males (58.6%) and 12 females (41.4%) were included in the study. Intervention In addition to the management of shock, right heart failure and renal failure, patients received intravenous thiamine 100 mg/kg IV followed by 10 mg/day till introduction of supplementary feeds. Main outcomes measures Resolution of shock, metabolic complications and pulmonary hypertension. Results Mean age at presentation was 78.45 ± 30.7 days. All infants were exclusively breastfed. 86.2% of mothers were on customary dietary restrictions. Biventricular failure and tachycardia was commonly present. There were four deaths in our series. Acute metabolic acidosis was a universal feature with a mean pH of 7.21 ± 0.15. Pulmonary hypertension was present in all patients on admission. Intravenous thiamine 100 mg/kg IV stat was given immediately after documenting pulmonary hypertension. Repeat echocardiography showed complete resolution of pulmonary hypertension. Conclusion Many infants present to us with Shoshin beriberi with unusually high pulmonary pressures. These patients respond to thiamine challenge with prompt resolution of metabolic complications and reversal of pulmonary hypertension. We believe this is first of its kind from the region, which is reported.

Background: Neonatal fungal infection is an important cause of late-onset sepsis with very high mortality. The incidence is progressively increasing due to a marked improvement in the survival of low-birth weight neonates. Materials and Methods: This was a 2-year observational study. Very low-birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low-birth weight (ELBW) with suspected fungal sepsis were enrolled. All suspected neonates were evaluated for possible Candida infection. Complete clinicodemographic and laboratory profile was noted from the study participants. The main outcome measure was hospital incidence, clinical profile, and the frequency of end-organ involvement. Results: During the study, 304 ELBW and VLBW neonates were screened for invasive fungal sepsis. Sixty-four neonates were found positive for invasive Candida sepsis making the incidence of 11.6%. Majority of patients developed worsening of respiratory distress and shock. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was seen in 10 patients and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in nine patients. Nearly 7.8% had cerebrospinal fluid culture positive for Candida. Renal abscess was seen in two patients. Endohpthalmitis and endocarditis each were observed in one patient. The mortality rate in our study group was 55%. Conclusion: We found 11.9% incidence of invasive fungal incidence. Majority of neonates developed worsening of respiratory distress, shock, NEC, DIC, and thrombocytopenia. End-organ damage was noticed in 14% of patients. Mortality was around 55% in our cohort.

Antiphospholipid syndrome presenting in the neonatal period is very rare. Although antiphospholipid antibodies from mothers with antiphospholipid syndrome can cross the placenta and put their neonates at risk, the occurrence of thrombotic complications in these neonates is uncommon. We present a 10-day-old neonate who developed Klebsiella sepsis with arterial gangrene of the left lower limb. Investigations revealed thrombosis of the left femoral artery with both the mother and the neonate positive for antiphospholipid antibodies. In conclusion, passive transfer of antiphospholipid antibodies from mothers to their offspring can be associated with significant complication in the presence of secondary risk factors.

Kashmir has a population that largely consumes polished rice which is deficient in thiamine. Furthermore, lactating women in this region are prone to severe thiamine deficiency because of their traditional food avoidance practices. Infantile beriberi is common in exclusively breastfed infants of thiamine deficient mothers in Kashmir. This was a one year prospective hospital-based study. We included 50 exclusively breastfed infants in our study. All patients were evaluated as per unit protocol including complete septic workup and metabolic workup. Most of our patients belonged to low and middle income group families, and mothers were on customary dietary restriction. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected from all the study participants. In addition, data regarding the treatments received by the study population and overall mortality were collected. The mean age, male:female ratio, and mean weight of the study population were 3.15±0.97 months, 1.5:1, and 5.1±1.1 kg, respectively. Traditional food avoidance practices were followed by 80% of the mothers. Irritability was observed in 40 (80%) patients. Blepharoptosis was observed in 30 (60%). Septic workup including cerebro spinal fluid analysis was normal in all patients. Predominant magnetic resonance imaging finding was bilateral basal ganglia hyperintensity. Whole blood thiamine diphosphate levels showed a drastic decrease (10-49 nmol/L). Ten percent of the study infants died. In exclusively breastfed infants, we observed acute infantile encephalopathy with epidemiological, clinical, biochemical, and radiological features suggestive of infantile Wernicke’s encephalopathy and a favourable therapeutic response to thiamine supplementation during the acute stage.

Background: Vitamin D insufficiency is believed to be the most common nutritional deficiency and one of the most undiagnosed medical conditions in this region. People across the world are becoming increasingly aware of the role played by vitamin D in health and disease, especially its role in immunity and its anti-infective role. The present study was conducted to study the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and severity of respiratory tract infections. To study the relation between serum vitamin D levels and severity of acute respiratory tract infections.Methods: 1-year prospective study from September 2014 to August 2015. Children from 1 month to 1 year of age participated in the study. Serum Vitamin D levels were measured in case group suffering from severe acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI) and in a control group. The primary outcome variable was difference in serum vitamin D levels between case group and control group.Results: The median (IQR) age of cases and controls was 5.0 (4.75) months and 4.0 (4.0) months, respectively. There were no significant differences in baseline demographic and anthropometric parameters between the 2 groups. The median vitamin D level in a case group was significantly lower compared with matched controls (p

Antiphospholipid syndrome presenting in the neonatal period is very rare. Although antiphospholipid antibodies from mothers with antiphospholipid syndrome can cross the placenta and put their neonates at risk, the occurrence of thrombotic complications in these neonates is uncommon. We present a 10-day-old neonate who developed Klebsiella sepsis with arterial gangrene of the left lower limb. Investigations revealed thrombosis of the left femoral artery with both the mother and the neonate positive for antiphospholipid antibodies. In conclusion, passive transfer of antiphospholipid antibodies from mothers to their offspring can be associated with significant complication in the presence of secondary risk factors.

Antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by recurrent arterial or venous thrombosis at any level of the vascular tree and the presence of circulating antiphospholipid antibodies. The syndrome may be idiopathic or secondary to an underlying autoimmune disorder. The disease is uncommon in children, and manifestations are diverse and underreported. We report the case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with features of pulmonary thromboembolism in the emergency department. Subsequently, he proved to have systemic lupus erythematosus with circulating antiphospholipid antibodies. He had no signs of systemic lupus erythematosus at presentation. In conclusion, antiphospholipid syndrome should also be kept as a possibility in children presenting for the first time with pulmonary thromboembolism in the emergency department.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period and permanent neurodevelopmental deficits among survivors. Animal studies have shown beneficial effects of magnesium sulfate in perinatal asphyxia but only 1 uncontrolled human trial has shown beneficial effects of postnatal magnesium sulfate in neonates with perinatal asphyxia. This longitudinal randomized, placebo-controlled trial tested whether postnatal magnesium sulfate treatment could improve neurologic outcomes at discharge among term neonates with severe perinatal asphyxia. The study subjects were 40 term (≥37 weeks) neonates born at a tertiary-care hospital in India between 2004 and 2006 who were

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of light-emitting diode (LED) over conventional phototherapy in near-term and term Rh-compatible otherwise healthy neonates in resource-constrained settings. Design: This was a 3-year prospective observational study. Setting: The study was conducted in the neonatal unit of a teaching hospital. Patients: Near-term and term (≥35 weeks of gestation) Rh-compatible, otherwise healthy, newborns were included in the study. Interventions: Single surface LED or conventional phototherapy was performed. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome variable was the duration of phototherapy, and the secondary outcome variables were a rate of fall in the total serum bilirubin (TSB) and need for exchange transfusion. Results: A total of 406 patients constituted the study population. Two hundred and thirty patients received LED phototherapy, and 176 patients received conventional phototherapy. The birth weight, gestational age, gender, mean TSB, and other baseline laboratory parameters were similar in both groups. The median duration of phototherapy in the LED group (22.0 h [95% confidence interval: 20.47, 23.53]) was significantly less than that in the conventional phototherapy group (32.0 h [95% confidence interval: 29.8, 34.1]). Similarly, the rate of fall of TSB at 6, 12, and 18 h was significantly higher in LED group than in the conventional group. Fifteen patients (6.5%) received double volume exchange transfusion in LED group and twenty patients (11.4%) in the conventional group. Conclusions: LED phototherapy was found more efficacious than conventional phototherapy in resource-constrained settings, where the majority of jaundiced patients are managed with latter one and because of limited resources irradiance is never checked or checked inappropriately, which can be a source of serious error.

Acute intermittent porphyria is a hereditary disorder characterized by deficient activity of the enzyme porphobilinogen deaminase. It manifests with occasional neurovisceral crises due to overproduction of porphyrin precursors. We report a 12 year old male child with acute intermittent porphyria, who presented with encephalopathy and transient blindness of cerebral origin.

The packing and composition of ORS has undergone a change since its introduction. In India, some companies are manufacturing smaller pouches (4.2 g) to be dissolved in 200 ml of water. Therefore, out of confusion some prescribers routinely advise the patients to dissolve the standard formulation ORS pouch (21 g) in a glass (200 ml) of water. Two cases are discussed. First patient developed salt poisoning due to improper dilution and recovered after rapid correction. In the second patient improper reconstitution led to hypernatremia and death.

Sepsis in neonatal intensive care units throws formidable challenges in homoeostasis, be in metabolic, nutritional or hematological. Newborn sepsis results in considerable morbidity and mortality among neonates. Due to inability on part of the neonate to develop adequate inflammatory response to localize the infection they commonly develop disseminated systemic infection, pneumonia and/or meningitis. We have described 4 cases of neonatal sepsis with localization at unusual sites. Our first case presented as a Fournier's gangrene, an infective necrotizing fasciitis of the perineal, genital or perianal regions. We also present a very rare entity of acute digital gangrene in a newborn baby as a sole manifestation of neonatal septicemia.