Abbreviated protocol of plasma exchanges for patients with anti-factor H associated hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Background: Plasma exchanges (PEX) and immunosuppression are the cornerstone of management of anti-factor H (FH) antibody-associated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), particularly if access to eculizumab is limited. The duration of therapy with PEX for anti-FH aHUS is empirical.

Methods: We compared the efficacy of abbreviated PEX protocol (10-12 sessions) in a prospective cohort of patients diagnosed with anti-FH aHUS (2020-2022), to standard PEX protocol (20-22 sessions) in a historical cohort (2016-2019; n = 65).

Etiology and Outcome of Community-Acquired Acute Kidney Injury in Pediatric Inpatients.

Objective: To estimate the etiology, outcome, and risk factors for mortality in children with community-acquired acute kidney injury (CA-AKI).

Methods: Between October, 2020 and December, 2021, consecutive hospitalized children aged 2 mo-12 years with a minimum 24 hours of stay, and at least one serum creatinine level measured at or within 24 hours of hospitalization were prospectively enrolled. CA-AKI was labelled in children with an elevated serum creatinine level at admission and subsequent fall during hospitalization.

Identification of Probable Urinary Tract Infection in Children Using Low Bacterial Count Thresholds in Urine Culture.

Objective: To assess the proportion of children, symptomatic for urinary tract infection (UTI), with urine culture showing single bacterial species >104 CFU/mL, and to compare patient and disease characteristics between children having low counts (from >104-105 CFU/mL) and those with counts >105 CFU/mL.

Methods: Prospective observational study, enrolling symptomatic children aged 1 month to 12 years. Mid-stream clean-void or catheter collected urine were cultured.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Information on the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the presentation and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with CKD followed at any of the four pediatric nephrology centers in New Delhi from April 2020 to June 2021. Outcomes, including cardiopulmonary and renal complications, were reported in relation to underlying disease category and illness severity at presentation.

Publication Ethics.

Publications in the field of medical literature are a matter of prestige and fame for doctors. While genuine research contributes to the existing scientific knowledge, fraudulent data make publication unreliable, demeans the credibility of the author and reduces faith in science. Research misconduct includes the three cardinal sins fabrication, falsification and plagiarism.

Low-dose versus conventional-dose prednisolone for nephrotic syndrome relapses: a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

Background: Reduction of steroid exposure in relapses of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) is under-researched.

Methods: In this randomized controlled non-inferiority trial, 1-12-year-old children with relapse of SSNS were randomized to receive prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day (low dose) or 2 mg/kg/day (standard dose) until disease remission or day 15, whichever was earlier. Therapy was switched to 2 mg/kg/day in children in low-dose group not in remission by day 15.

Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome: Revised Guidelines.

Justification: Steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) is one of the most common chronic kidney diseases in children. These guidelines update the existing Indian Society of Pediatric Nephrology recommendations on its management.

Objective: To frame revised guidelines on diagnosis, evaluation, management and supportive care of patients with the illness.

Clinico-Etiologic Profile of Macroscopic Hematuria in Children: A Single Center Experience.

Objective: To study the demographic, clinical and etiological profile of macroscopic hematuria in children presenting to a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: This prospective observational study, conducted between January, 2018 and December, 2019, enrolled children aged 3 months to 12 years, presenting with gross hematuria.

Results: Of the 62 children (44 males) enrolled, (mean (SD) age of 7.

Reliable cerebrospinal fluid cytology reporting over an extended period: Is it possible by adding formol saline and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as cell preservative?

Background: Reporting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology within a narrow time frame is crucial as it is often indicated in critically ill patients and moreover, the cells in CSF are highly labile and tend to decline rapidly on standing. However, due to various logistic issues, delay in reporting is inevitable at times, especially if ancillary tools are required. In this study, we examine the effect of using formol saline and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a preservative on the cellular composition of CSF at 18, 24, and 48 hours of preservation.

Prediction of Severe Acute Kidney Injury using Renal Angina Index in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: To determine the proportion of children in a pediatric intensive care unit with a positive Day 0 Renal angina index who develop severe acute kidney injury (AKI) on Day 3; and to compare the predictive ability of the index with that of individual markers of renal injury, for the development of severe acute kidney injury.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary-care hospital.

Indian Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines on the Fast and Junk Foods, Sugar Sweetened Beverages, Fruit Juices, and Energy Drinks.

Justification: In view of easy availability and increasing trend of consumption of fast foods and sugar sweetened beverages (fruit juices and drinks, carbonated drinks, energy drinks) in Indian children, and their association with increasing obesity and related non-communicable diseases, there is a need to develop guidelines related to consumption of foods and drinks that have the potential to increase this problem in children and adolescents.

Objectives: To review the evidence and formulate consensus statements related to terminology, magnitude of problem and possible ill effects of junk foods, fast foods, sugar-sweetened beverages and carbonated drinks; and to formulate recommendations for limiting consumption of these foods and beverages in Indian children and adolescents.

Process: A National Consultative group constituted by the Nutrition Chapter of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), consisting of various stakeholders in private and public sector, reviewed the literature and existing guidelines and policy regulations.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome in a developing country: Consensus guidelines.

Background: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a leading cause of acute kidney injury in children. Although international guidelines emphasize comprehensive evaluation and treatment with eculizumab, access to diagnostic and therapeutic facilities is limited in most developing countries. The burden of Shiga toxin-associated HUS in India is unclear; school-going children show high prevalence of anti-factor H (FH) antibodies.

Profile of Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome.

Objective: To determine the incidence, risk factors and outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized children with nephrotic syndrome.

Methods: All consecutive hospitalized children (aged 1-14 years) with diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome between February 2016 and February 2017 were enrolled for the study. Children (aged 1-14 years) with features of nephritis, underlying secondary causes of nephrotic syndrome as well as children admitted for diagnostic renal biopsy and intravenous cyclophosphamide or rituximab infusion were excluded.

Predictors of poor outcome in children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

Background And Objective: Nearly 50% of the children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) have a frequently relapsing (FR) or steroid dependent (SD) course, experiencing steroid toxicities and complications of immunosuppression. The study aimed to compare parameters between children with infrequent relapsing (IFR) and FR/SD nephrotic syndrome and to identify the factors associated with a FR/SD course.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records from 2009 to 2014, of children with SSNS attending the pediatric nephrology clinic in a tertiary care medical college and hospital.

Isotonic versus Hypotonic Parenteral Maintenance Fluids in Very Severe Pneumonia.

Objective: To compare the risk of hyponatremia between hypotonic and isotonic parenteral maintenance solutions (PMS) administered to children with very severe pneumonia, admitted in the general pediatric ward.

Methods: A randomized controlled open label trial was conducted in the pediatrics department of a tertiary care medical college hospital including euvolemic children 2 mo to 5 y of age, fulfilling the WHO clinical definition of very severe pneumonia and requiring PMS. They were randomized to receive either isotonic PMS (0.

The Association between Weight for Gestational Age and Kidney Volume: A Study in Newborns in India.

Objective: The association of low birth weight (LBW) with adult onset diseases like hypertension is suggested to be partially mediated by a low number of nephrons at birth. Studies have established a relation between LBW and renal volume as the latter is a surrogate marker of total nephron number. Most such studies have considered birth weight or gestational age as separate independent predictors, without taking into consideration the baby's weight with respect to its gestational age.

The impact of pediatric nephrotic syndrome on parents' health-related quality of life and family functioning: an assessment made by the PedsQL 4.0 family impact module.

The multi-dimensional impact on the quality of life (QOL) of families of children with the nephrotic syndrome (NS) has not been studied sufficiently in the literature. We aimed to study this aspect and the predictors of poor QOL among Indian families having children with NS. A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the parents of children with chronic NS on treatment for at least one year with parents of a matched healthy control group.

Aplasia cutis congenita: a rare case with extensive symmetrically distributed lesions.

Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare developmental disorder of the skin of neonates, usually presenting as a solitary lesion over the scalp. We report an interesting presentation of AC along with the histopathological features in a neonate with extensive lesions over scalp as well as in bilaterally symmetrical areas over trunk and thighs; such symmetrical distributions being rarely reported.

Isotonic intravenous maintenance fluid reduces hospital acquired hyponatremia in young children with central nervous system infections.

Objective: To find the appropriate type of intravenous fluid (isotonic vs. hypotonic saline in 5 % dextrose) for empiric maintenance fluid therapy in children with central nervous system (CNS) infections that reduces the incidence of hospital acquired hyponatremia.

Methods: This blinded randomized controlled trial included hospitalized children aged 3 mo to 5 y with suspected CNS infections requiring intravenous maintenance fluid for at least 24 h.

Griscelli syndrome type 2: a novel mutation in RAB27A gene with different clinical features in 2 siblings: a diagnostic conundrum.

Griscelli syndrome type 2 (GS2) is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the RAB27A gene. It is characterized by cutaneous hypopigmentation, immunodeficiency, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. We describe 2 brothers who had GS2 with clinically diverse manifestations.

Neonaticide in India and the stigma of female gender: report of two cases.

Neonaticide is known to occur across the globe in both developed and developing countries, but has rarely been reported from India. Two similar cases of female neonaticide are presented which were committed by their mothers while in the maternity ward. The social issues and maternal provocation highlighted in this report are different from those reported in world reviews of neonaticide.