Emerging lineages A2.2.1 and A2.2.2 of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in pediatric respiratory infections: Insights from India.

Objectives: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is recognized as a significant cause of acute respiratory infections among infants under 5 years of age.

Methods: Nasal swabs collected from January 2021 to June 2024 were screened to detect hMPV using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, representative positive samples were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis.

Characterizing human respiratory syncytial virus among children admitted with acute respiratory tract infections from 2019 to 2022.

Respiratory syncytial virus is a major causative agent of lower respiratory tract infection in children, especially infants with substantial morbidity and mortality implications. The virus undergoes continuous evolution documented by accumulation of mutations in the glycoprotein gene necessitating vigilant surveillance to provide essential data to epidemiologists and researchers involved in development of vaccines. This study was aimed to perform molecular characterization of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among children ≤ 5 years admitted in hospital.

Cord Blood Cortisol Level - A Possible Predictor for Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Neonates.

Background: Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is a leading cause of death in premature infants. There are different clinical/ biochemical markers associated with the RDS. One of the potential biochemical markers is cortisol in cord blood.

Normative data for aquagenic wrinkling of palms in children 1-15 years of age: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Aquagenic wrinkling of palms (AWP) is emerging as a screening test for cystic fibrosis (CF). There is lack of normative data for the same in our population.

Objectives: To generate normative data for AWP in children 1-15 years of age and to describe the factors associated with it.

Clinical profile of influenza virus-related hospitalizations in children aged 1-59 months: A five-year retrospective study from south India.

Background: Influenza is a seasonal acute respiratory tract infection with different strains in circulation at different time periods with varying spectrum of clinical presentation.

Objectives: To study the clinical presentation, morbidity, and mortality patterns associated with different strains of influenza virus, to identify the predominant strains related to hospitalization, and to identify the seasonal trend in hospitalization and risk factors for mortality in children aged 1-59 months hospitalized with influenza.

Materials And Methods: The records of children hospitalized with influenza were analyzed retrospectively (June 2013 to June 2018).

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study of Clinical Profile and Co-morbidity.

Background: Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in preschool children is challenging and complicated owing to the presence of developmentally appropriate overactivity and a dynamic developmental/learning phase shaping their behaviour. We aimed to study the clinical profile and co-morbidity of ADHD in preschool children.

Methods: Fifty consecutively presenting preschool children with ADHD were enrolled from our child guidance clinic (CGC) between January 2017 and December 2018.

Clinical profile and risk factors for mortality in children admitted with diphtheria: an observational study.

Background: There is an ongoing resurgence of diphtheria infection worldwide despite a vaccine being available to prevent it for more than four decades.

Objectives: To study the clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality of diphtheria cases among children 1-12 years of age treated in our hospital from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2021.

Methodology: The data of hospitalised cases of childhood diphtheria from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2019 were retrospectively analysed from the medical records department of our hospital.

Comparison of brief group behavioural parent training with individual parent training for preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomized feasibility study.

Background: Behaviour parent training (BPT) is first-line treatment for preschool attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). BPT in a group format can be a cost- and time-effective alternative in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) settings with limited resources. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the feasibility and efficacy of group BPT with individual BPT in improving ADHD severity in the preschool age group over 12 weeks.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among health care worker-parents (HCWP) in Puducherry, India and its implications on their children: A cross sectional descriptive study.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy affects immunization programs worldwide and can impact vaccine coverage and fight against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) too.

Objectives: Primary objectives: To find out the magnitude of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the Health Care Worker Parents (HCWPs), the reasons for vaccine hesitancy, and their perceptions regarding COVID-19 vaccination of their children.

Secondary Objective: To analyze the clinic-socio-demographic correlates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among HCWPs.

Content validation of school readiness module and school readiness scale for assessing school readiness in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: There is a paucity of research on interventions targeting preschool children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) for school readiness.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to develop and validate a school readiness module for making children with ASD ready for inclusive education and a scale to assess school readiness in them.

Methods: Based on literature review, principles of learning, and techniques of behavioral intervention, a module was developed and reviewed by independent experts regarding the utility of the contents.

Food allergy in children with asthma and its correlation with level of asthma control.

Background: There is paucity of regional data regarding food allergy among children with asthma.

Objectives: To estimate the proportion of children with asthma who have food-related respiratory symptoms and to correlate it with (a) skin prick test (SPT) results and (b) level of asthma control.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved children with asthma, aged ≥6 years attending the childhood asthma clinic in a tertiary care hospital, in the southern part of India from July 2017 to July 2019.

Screen Time Exposure in Preschool Children with ADHD: A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Study from South India.

Background: Concern is mounting regarding screen exposure among young children and its association with mental health. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more vulnerable to its effects such as increased externalizing behaviors and problems with language and cognitive development and biological functions such as sleep. We aimed to assess screen exposure in preschool children with ADHD and to study the correlation of screen time with the severity of ADHD and parental stress levels.

A 3-day course of 1 mg/kg versus 2 mg/kg bodyweight prednisolone for 1- to 5-year-old children with acute moderate exacerbation of asthma: a randomized double-blind noninferiority trial.

Background: Even though the guidelines on the management of preschool asthma recommend early use of corticosteroids for acute moderate-to-severe exacerbations, considerable variation exists with regard to type and dose of steroids.

Objectives: To compare the clinical outcomes and side effect profile between 1 mg/kg/day and 2 mg/kg/day of oral prednisolone when administered for 3 days in preschool children with acute moderate asthma exacerbations.

Study Design And Setting: Randomized double-blind noninferiority trial was done in the paediatric emergency of a teaching hospital.

A comparative study of clinical profile and symptom control in overweight and normal weight school-age children with mild persistent asthma.

Objectives: To find out the proportion of children with poor symptom control in overweight/obese and normal weight children with mild persistent asthma and to know the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of poor symptom control in them.

Materials And Methods: Children aged 6 to 12 years with mild persistent asthma with BMI score for age and sex more than +1 score on WHO BMI score chart for age and sex formed the cases. Age- and sex-matched asthmatics with BMI score for age and sex between -2 and +1 score formed the controls.

Co-morbid anxiety and depression in childhood asthma and its effect on symptom control: A cross sectional study.

Background: Anxiety and depression are co-morbidities that affect symptom control in children with asthma and are often overlooked in busy practice.

Objectives: To find out the proportion of children with asthma who have co-morbid anxiety and depression, to study the association of co-morbid anxiety and depression on symptom control and to study the clinic-sociodemographic factors associated with anxiety and depression in children with asthma.

Methods: Assuming 13% prevalence of anxiety and depression, with 95% confidence level and 5% absolute precision, a total of 176 children with asthma aged 6 years and above were enrolled from the asthma clinic.

Can RCTs capture it all?-Need for qualitative studies on parent-mediated interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Introduction: There is a global rise in the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and treatment gap exists across settings. In low-resource settings, there is a lack of professionals and specialist centres for intervention delivery. 'Parent-mediated interventions' is an essential strategy to bridge the existing treatment gap.

Pre-school attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: 12 weeks prospective study.

Introduction: Extant literature lack studies on behavioural training or pharmacotherapy in Indian preschool children. With adverse long term outcomes, effective, safe and affordable early interventions for ADHD are a priority. Aim of this prospective study is to report on short term outcome of preschool ADHD with specific focus on safety and tolerability of medications.