Viral aetiology of wheezing in children under five.

Background & Objectives: Wheezing is a common problem in children under five with acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Viruses are known to be responsible for a considerable proportion of ARIs in children. This study was undertaken to know the viral aetiology of wheezing among the children less than five years of age, admitted to a tertiary care hospital in eastern India.

A randomized non-inferiority clinical study to assess post-exposure prophylaxis by a new purified vero cell rabies vaccine (Rabivax-S) administered by intramuscular and intradermal routes.

Background: Rabies is a 100% fatal disease but preventable with vaccines and immunoglobulins. We have developed a new purified vero cell rabies vaccine (Rabivax-S) and evaluated its safety and immunogenicity in post-exposure prophylaxis by intramuscular (IM) and intradermal (ID) routes.

Methods: This was a randomized active-controlled non-inferiority study in 180 individuals (age 5years and above) with suspected rabies exposure (90 each with WHO Category II and Category III exposures).

Evaluation of Antenatal to Neonatal Continuum Care Services Affecting Neonatal Health in a Tertiary Health-Care Setup.

Background: Maternal and child mortality and morbidity continue to be high despite existence of various national health programmes in India. Annually 41% of all Under 5 mortality is comprised of neonates, 3/4 of who die within the first week of life. Even though effective programmes are existing, optimum utilization is still a question.

Public health challenges for universal health coverage.

The effective functioning of any health system requires an efficient public health service. Every human being has the right to enjoy "the highest attainable standard of health," which can be fulfilled by giving every man an affordable and equitable health system he deserves and demands. In these years, complex health changes have complicated the situation in India.

Clinical manifestations and predictors of severe malaria in Indian children.

Objective: Although the greatest morbidity and mortality attributable to malaria occurs among children in Africa, up to one third of the world's malaria burden is borne by non-African countries, where levels of endemicity are lower. Because there are few published criteria for managing life-threatening malaria in children in these countries, we conducted a study of major syndromes and predictors of death among critically ill Indian children to identify factors that could be used to improve the approach to their treatment.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted at the pediatric ward of SCB Medical College in eastern India (Orissa).

Physical status of newborns and neonatal outcome.

Objective: To determine the extent to which physical status at birth is associated with neonatal mortality and the causes of mortality vis-a-vis size at birth and gestational age.

Method: 11,223 consecutive live births completing 26 weeks of gestation and weighing > or = 500 gm were included in the study. Birth weight and chest circumference were recorded as per WHO guidelines.