Predictors of quality of life (QOL) and treatment adherence among children with nephrotic syndrome.

Introduction: Any significant changes in the growth and development of any aspect of life will ultimately affect the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with nephrotic syndrome. Various factors can influence treatment adherence, which can promote or decline the child's quality of life (QOL). Objective: To assess the quality of life and adherence to treatment regimen and to identify the predictors of QOL and adherence to treatment regimen among children with nephrotic syndrome.

Impact of Urinary Tract Infection on Progression of Renal Scars and Formation of New Scars in Patients with Primary Vesicoureteric Reflux.

Introduction: Primary vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) is a prevalent cause of end-stage renal failure in children. Scars on radionuclide imaging indicate irreparable damage to the growing kidneys. This study aims to determine whether a urinary tract infection (UTI) associated with primary VUR promotes the development of new renal scars or progression in the pre-existing ones.

Effect of preconception multiple micronutrients vs. iron-folic acid supplementation on maternal and birth outcomes among women from developing countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Maternal malnutrition affects the somatic growth of the fetus and subsequent adverse events during infancy and childhood period. Though trials have been conducted on multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplements initiated during the preconception period, there is no collated evidence on this.

Materials And Methods: We performed a systematic review of published trials with the application of Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

Occurrence and Severity of Deformational Plagiocephaly in Infants: A Single Center Experience.

Objective: To estimate the occurrence and severity of deformational plagiocephaly among infants.

Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was done in the pediatric ward of a tertiary care hospital between April 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022. Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) and Argenta Clinical Classification were applied to consecutive infants aged 1 month to 1 year till the calculated sample size was achieved.

Human Bocavirus infection in childhood acute respiratory infection: Is it an innocent bystander?

Purpose: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is one of the major attributing factors of under-five mortality and morbidity all over the world. Viruses are the most common cause of ARI. Due to the availability of molecular techniques, new viruses are getting isolated from children with ARI.

Macrolides versus other antibiotics in pediatric scrub typhus: A meta-analysis.

Background: While Doxycycline is the recommended drug for treating scrub typhus, there is a growing trend of using Macrolides and Other antibiotics due to their perceived advantages. In this study, we compared the efficacy of Macrolides versus Other antibiotics in the treatment of pediatric scrub typhus.

Methods: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) application.

Clinical, laboratory profile and outcomes in children with snakebite from Eastern India.

Background: Snakebite remains a significant public health problem worldwide, particularly in rural areas with unexpected morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the clinical, laboratory profile and outcomes in children with snake bites from Eastern India.

Methods: This was a retrospective case record-based study between January 2017 and December 2021.

Effect of body mass index (BMI) on pulmonary functions in children of 6-14 years of age: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Over-weight/obesity is a new global pandemic affecting children with prevalence up to 36%. It is responsible for metabolic syndrome and its future complications in children; however, its effect on lung functions in children is not well studied.

Aim: To compare lung function tests [forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC, and % predicted] of children with over-weight/obesity to that of normal children.

Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis: One Disease, Variable Outcomes-A Case Series.

Longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is a rare form of widespread inflammation of the spinal cord causing T2 hyperintensity in spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) extending across three or more vertebral segments. It is an acute onset of sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunction of variable etiology with a likely poor outcome. We present a case series of three cases wherein children between the ages of 4 and 13 years had diverse symptoms from gradual painless loss of vision in both eyes with headache, vomiting and seizure, and a normal central nervous system examination except involvement of the optic nerve to another child with abdominal pain, urinary retention and constipation for 3 days with exaggerated DTR, and patchy sensory loss without any definite sensory level, and to the third child with fever and weakness of lower limbs, hypotonia and grade 1-2/5 power in lower limbs and normal upper limb power.

Eastern India Collaboration on Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (EICOMISC): A Multicenter Observational Study of 134 Cases.

Background: Few single center studies from resource-poor settings have reported about the epidemiology, clinical feature and outcome of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). However, larger data from multi-center studies on the same is lacking including from Indian setting.

Methods: This retrospective collaborative study constituted of data collected on MIS-C from five tertiary care teaching hospitals from Eastern India.

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Relation With Weight of Backpacks in School-Going Children in Eastern India.

Recently, heavy school backpacks have become a significant concern among parents and health professionals, as well as the media, but evidence for the same is limited in the Indian context. To find the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among school-going children and its relationship with backpack weight. Cross-sectional study.

Profile and Outcome of Childhood Hydrocarbon Poisoning: An Observational Study.

Background:  Accidental poisoning, though preventable, has continued to be one of the most prevalent medical emergencies among children in developing countries.

Objective: To describe the clinico-demographic profile and outcome of children with hydrocarbon poisoning at a tertiary care teaching hospital from Eastern India.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the hospital case records of all children <15 years of age admitted with hydrocarbon poisoning from January 2015 to October 2018 was performed.

Molecular Characterization and Management of Congenital Hyperinsulinism: A Tertiary Centre Experience.

Background: There is limited data from India regarding medical management of congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI).

Objective: To study the molecular diagnosis, medical management and outcomes of children with CHI.

Study Design: Ambispective.

Oral Azithromycin Versus Doxycycline in the Treatment of Children With Uncomplicated Scrub Typhus: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of azithromycin versus doxycycline in treatment of children with uncomplicated scrub typhus in terms of percentage of children who attained remission of fever after 72 hours of administration of first dose of the study drug, mean time taken to attain fever defervescence, normalization of laboratory parameters, resolution of hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy.

Design: Interventional, open-labeled randomized controlled trial.

Study Methods: Patients admitted with undifferentiated fever in the In-Patient Department (IPD), Department of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India, as per the inclusion criteria were randomized and was treated with azithromycin at 10 mg/kg/d in one group and doxycycline at 4.

Role of Clinical Criteria and Oxygen Saturation Monitoring in Diagnosis of Childhood Pneumonia in Children Aged 2 to 59 Months.

Background: Current WHO algorithm has retained the signs and symptoms used in the older version for classifying severity of childhood pneumonia.

Objective: To study the role of clinical features (including that of current WHO criteria), and oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the diagnosis of childhood pneumonia.

Study Design: Multicenter prospective cohort study.

Capacity Building of Frontline Workers for Detection of Children (0-6 Years) with Developmental Delays in a Rural Setting: A Cluster-Randomized Trial.

Introduction: Development during the early stage of life i.e. in the first 1000 d is crucial in determining the psychosocial productivity of a child in the future.

Profile of Scrub Typhus Meningitis/Meningoencephalitis in Children with and without Scrub Typhus IgM Antibody in CSF.

The aim of this article was to study the spectrum of scrub typhus meningitis/meningoencephalitis (STM) cases in children. Children ≤14 years of age with acute undifferentiated febrile illness were included. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was done in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with suspected STM.

Dyke-Davidoff-Masson Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Acquired Cerebral Hemiatrophy.

Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome is a rare disease of childhood which is clinically characterized by hemiparesis, refractory seizures, facial asymmetry, and mental retardation. The classical radiological findings are cerebral hemiatrophy, calvarial thickening, and hyperpneumatization of the frontal sinuses. Seizure refractory to medical management warrants surgical intervention with excellent outcome.