Development and validation of the "Pediatric Risk of Nosocomial Sepsis (PRiNS)" score for health care-associated infections in a medical pediatric intensive care unit of a developing economy--a prospective observational cohort study.

Purpose: Given the high burden of health care-associated infections (HAIs) in resource-limited settings, there is a tendency toward overdiagnosis/treatment. This study was designed to create an easy-to-use, dynamic, bedside risk stratification model for classifying children based on their risk of developing HAIs during their pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay, to aid judicious resource utilization.

Materials And Methods: A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted in the 12-bed PICU of a large Indian tertiary care hospital between January and October 2011.

Clinical profile of scrub typhus in children and its association with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Objective: To study the clinical profile of children with scrub typhus and its association with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Methods: Children presenting with unexplained fever and multi-systemic involvement between May to December 2011 were tested for scrub typhus using IgM ELISA kits. Occurrence of Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in IgM positive cases of scrub typhus was studied.

Non-pharmacological Interventions in Hypertension: A Community-based Cross-over Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Hypertension is the most prevalent non-communicable disease causing significant morbidity/mortality through cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal complications.

Objectives: This community-based study tested the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions in preventing/controlling hypertension.

Materials And Methods: This is a cross-over randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the earlier RCT (2007) of non-pharmacological interventions in hypertension, conducted in the urban service area of our Institute.

Community-based Randomized Controlled Trial of Non-pharmacological Interventions in Prevention and Control of Hypertension among Young Adults.

Context: Hypertension is a major chronic lifestyle disease. Several non-pharmacological interventions are effective in bringing down the blood pressure (BP). This study focuses on the effectiveness of such interventions among young adults.