Impact of School-Based Health Behavioral Intervention on Awareness, Practice Pattern of Healthy Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among School Children of Shimla: A Cluster-Randomized, Intervention Study.

Objectives: To assess the impact of multicomponent intervention on knowledge and practice of health behaviors among school children. The secondary objective was to assess mean change in cardiometabolic risk factors such as anthropometric measurements and biochemical profile.

Methods: A cluster-randomized, controlled trial was conducted among adolescents aged 13-18 y from government and private senior secondary schools in Shimla city.

Epidemiology, clinical profile and role of rapid tests in the diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis in children (aged 1-59 months).

Objectives: To study the epidemiology, clinical profile, and the role of rapid tests in the diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in children (1-59 months).

Materials And Methods: A total of 250 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and 187 blood samples received from clinically suspected cases of ABM were processed based on standard microbiological protocols. CSF samples were also subjected to antigen and nucleic acid detection.

Molecular characterization of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes: Association of virulent genes, serogroups, and antibiotic resistance among moderate-to-severe diarrhea patients.

Background: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) signifies as an important etiological agent of moderate-to-severe diarrhea. This study was primarily focused on molecular identification of DEC pathotypes; their association with serogroups and estimates of resistance profiles against different antibiotics regime.

Methods: Five hundred seventy-two stool specimens from diarrhea patients were investigated for DEC pathotypes.

Predominance of unusual rotavirus G1P[6] strain in North India: An evidence from hospitalized children and adult diarrheal patients.

Group A Rotavirus remains the leading cause of gastroenteritis in children and accounts for 0.2 million fatalities each year; out of which, approximately 47,100 deaths occur in India. In adults also, rotavirus is reported to be responsible for diarrhea severe enough to require hospitalizations.

Prevalence of rotavirus, norovirus and enterovirus in diarrheal diseases in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Diarrheal diseases are responsible for a significant proportion of mortality and morbidity all around the globe. The contribution of viruses to gastroenteritis incidences in humans is well established. In the present study, we have studied the prevalence of rotavirus, norovirus and enterovirus in Himachal Pradesh, a north Indian state.

Group B streptococcal meningitis in children beyond the neonatal period in sub-Himalayan India.

Objectives: To evaluate clinicolaboratory profile and the outcomes in children (1 to 59 months) diagnosed with Group B streptococcus (GBS) meningitis over a period of 1 year.

Materials And Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of 250 pediatric patients (1 to 59 months) admitted with suspected acute bacterial meningitis(ABM)were subjected to cell count, biochemical profile, culture, latex particle agglutination (LPA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). They were also evaluated for complications and were followed-up till 6 months after discharge.

Glucose tolerance in overweight and obese North Indian adolescents.

The present analytic study was planned to study the impact of overweight and obesity on glucose tolerance in adolescents. Thirty overweight (BMI analogue  ≥  25-29.9 kg/m(2)) and 30 obese (BMI analogue  ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) adolescents were included as cases and 30 healthy age and sex matched adolescents comprised the control group.

Prevalence of hypertension among schoolchildren in Shimla.

This cross sectional study was done to find the prevalence of sustained hypertension and prehypertension among school children aged 11-17 years. A total of 1085 apparently healthy students from rural and urban schools in hills of northern India were examined using standard methods. Students with blood pressures above the 90th centile were reexamined after four weeks.

Predicting neonatal hyperbilirubinemia using first day serum bilirubin levels.

Objective: To determine the first day total serum bilirubin (TSB) value which will predict with reasonable accuracy, neonates likely to develop subsequent significant hyperbilirubinemia.

Methods: Serum bilirubin was estimated for all enrolled cases within 18 to 30 hr of life by microcapillary. The babies were then followed up clinically by 2 observers for the appearance and progression of jaundice every 12 hr till discharge and then daily upto fifth day of life.

Clinical profile of pediatric somatoform disorders.

Objectives: To study the prevalence, pattern, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of somatoform disorders in children.

Methods: From Aug 2004 to July 2005, children up to 18 years with unexplained physical symptoms were evaluated prospectively using DSM-IV criteria. Detailed evaluation followed for those meeting criteria.

Auditory brainstem responses in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and effect of therapy.

Unlabelled: Objectives; To determine the effect of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia on auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and evaluate ABR responses to lowering of bilirubin levels.

Study Design: prospective case control trial

Setting: tertiary referral center.

Patients: 60 neonates (40 cases & 20 controls).

Wasp envenomation-induced acute renal failure: a report of three cases.

Acute renal failure is an unusual complication of wasp stings. We report three cases who developed acute renal failure after multiple wasp stings (Vespa magnifica). Two patients had evidence of intravascular haemolysis and rhabdomyolysis whereas one patient investigation showed no evidence of intravascular haemolysis or rhabdomyolysis.

Biochemical abnormalities in neonatal seizures.

Objective: The presence of seizure does not constitute a diagnoses but it is a symptom of an underlying central nervous system disorder due to systemic or biochemical disturbances. Biochemical disturbances occur frequently in the neonatal seizures either as an underlying cause or as an associated abnormality. In their presence, it is difficult to control seizure and there is a risk of further brain damage.