Causes of child deaths in India, 1985-2008: a systematic review of literature.

Objective: To understand the causes of child deaths in order to implement appropriate child survival interventions in the country. We present a systematic review of studies reporting causes of child, infant, and neonatal deaths from India for 1985 to 2008.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and WHO regional databases were searched along with a hand search and personal communication with researchers in child health to obtain studies and reports for the database.

Medication error in anaesthesia and critical care: A cause for concern.

Medication error is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in medical profession, and anaesthesia and critical care are no exception to it. Man, medicine, machine and modus operandi are the main contributory factors to it. In this review, incidence, types, risk factors and preventive measures of the medication errors are discussed in detail.

Burden, differentials, and causes of child deaths in India.

Objective: To review the current information on trends, burden, differentials, causes, and timing of under five (U5) child deaths in India.

Methods: We reviewed and analyzed data on child deaths in India from official government sources, reports, surveys, and from the published literature. The secondary analyses were carried out to provide additional insight.

Elemental mercury poisoning caused by subcutaneous and intravenous injection: An unusual self-injury.

Elemental mercury poisoning most commonly occurs through vapor inhalation as mercury is well absorbed through the lungs. Administering subcutaneous and intravenous elemental mercury is very uncommon but with only a few isolated case reports in the literature. We present an unusual case of elemental mercury poisoning in a 20-year-old young male who presented with chest pain, fever, and hemoptysis.

A study of dysmenorrhea during menstruation in adolescent girls.

Research Question: What is the prevalence of dysmenorrhea severity and its associated symptoms among adolescent girls?

Objectives: (1) To study the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in high school adolescent girls of Gwalior. (2) To study the evidence of severity of the problem with associated symptoms and general health status.

Study Design: An explorative survey technique with a correlational approach.

Primary health care and child survival in India.

The Primary Health Care (PHC) has been globally promoted as a comprehensive approach to achieve optimal health status and 'Health for all'. The PHC approach, although, initially received the attention but failed to meet the expectations of the people in India. The child health programs in India had been started for long as verticals programs, which later on integrated and had been planned in a way to deliver the services through the PHC systems.

Normolipemic tuberous xanthomas.

Xanthomas are often a manifestation of underlying lipid abnormalities. A 50-year-old male presented to our hospital with the lesions of multiple tuberous xanthomas all over the body. Routine investigations and systemic examination were normal.

A Cross-sectional Study to Determine Prevalence of Obesity in High Income Group Colonies of Gwalior City.

Background: Obesity has become a major chronic disorder affecting the larger population more than any other disease in the world.

Objectives: 1) To determine the prevalence of obesity in both sexes in persons aged 30 years and above. 2) To determine the relationship of epidemiological determinants on the obesity status in the study subjects.

EEG-desynchronization as the major mechanism of anti-epileptic action of vagal nerve stimulation in patients with intractable seizures: clinical neurophysiological evidence.

Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has emerged as an effective and acceptable alternative therapy for patients with intractable seizures. Despite its reported efficacy in several studies, the precise mechanism of its anti-epileptic action remains elusive and requires to be established. Based on neurophysiological alterations induced by VNS, it has been proposed earlier that a major mechanism of its anti-epileptic action could be EEG-desynchronization, which is known to be associated with increased resistance to seizures.

Potential role of self-induced EEG fast oscillations in predisposition to seizures in meditators.

Meditation is a mental exercise practiced widely as an antistress measure and in the belief that it possesses remedial efficacy for a number of medical ailments, especially neurological disorders. Further, there is a general belief that meditation is an absolutely safe practice devoid of any harmful effects. However, with the advent of neuroimaging techniques, the possibility of adverse effects has been raised in recent times.

The dilemma on treatment of the EEG: a justified perspective.

Electroencephalography is an important, noninvasive, and useful technique for identifying an epileptogenic region. Electroencephalogram (EEG)-identified interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) have been found to correlate well with local metabolic changes in the brain as studied by neuroradiological examinations. In-depth studies on IEDs have revealed not only their multidimensional influence on neural functioning, but also a potential damaging effect on neurons signifying their nonbenign nature.

Significance of the EEG in the decision to initiate antiepileptic treatment in patients with epilepsy: a perspective on recent evidence.

The significance of electroencephalography in the prediction of seizure recurrence after a first unprovoked seizure remains a topic of debate. Opinion on the initiation of antiepileptic treatment after a first seizure also remains divided. However, in view of recent evidence, this article is intended to highlight the significance of a properly performed EEG in the decision to initiate antiepileptic drug treatment as early as possible to prevent further morbidity and other consequences.

Under nutrition and measles related complications in an outbreak of measles.

An outbreak of measles was reported from Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, India. The authors investigated this outbreak with an objective to describe the under nutrition and measles related complications. A total of 723 children aged 12-59 months were included in this study.

Transfusion of neocytes concentrate/pooled neocytes in β-thalassemic patients.

Purpose Of Study: Study was aimed to observe benefits of transfusion of neocytes/pooled neocytes over packed RBCs by super transfusion regimen in β-thalassemic patients and its comparison with related studies.

Materials And Methods: Twelve cases were selected and were equally divided into control and study group in which packed RBCs and neocytes were transfused respectively for one year. In study group, average 8 transfusions were required over 14 in control group.

Justification of vigabatrin administration in West syndrome patients? Warranting a re-consideration for improvement in their quality of life.

West syndrome (WS) or infantile spasms (IS) is a severe epileptic syndrome associated with poor prognosis and increased morbidity. The exact etio-pathogenesis of the disorder still remains elusive ant therefore the management continues to pose a challenge to the clinicians. Currently, adreno-corticotrophic hormone (ACTH), steroids and vigabatrin (VGB) form the mainstay of its treatment.

Vagal nerve stimulation: exploring its efficacy and success for an improved prognosis and quality of life in cerebral palsy patients.

Cerebral palsy (CP) continues to pose a cause for major socioeconomic concern and medical challenge worldwide. It is associated with a multi-faceted symptomatology warranting a multi-dimensional management-approach. Recent recognition of neurocognitive impairment and its hopefully possible treatment has opened up a new dimension in its management to the neurologists.

A study of rheumatological manifestations of leprosy.

Background And Aims: Rheumatic manifestations are a common feature of leprosy. The present study was performed to assess the incidence of rheumatic manifestations in leprosy.

Methods: Seventy cases of leprosy attending the indoor and outdoor departments were studied.

Cerebral palsy: Interictal epileptiform discharges and cognitive impairment.

Prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) has been found to rise in the last 40 years with its management becoming an issue of considerable socio-economic concern worldwide. Further, there is mounting evidence regarding the association of CP with a high incidence of cognitive impairment, and a causal-effect relationship between interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and cognitive impairment is being established through recent scientific studies. A few clinical trials aimed at treatment/suppression of IEDs in such patients have resulted in significant improvement in cognitive behavior and performance.

Treatment of interictal epileptiform discharges in cerebral palsy patients without clinical epilepsy: hope for a better outcome in prognosis.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a motor disorder due to cerebral damage. It is commonly associated with neuro-psychological retardation and also with epilepsy; hence, its management warrants a multi-dimensional approach. In a significant number of CP patients, interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) are obtained in their EEG even in absence of clinical epilepsy.

A plausible explanation for superiority of adreno-cortico-trophic hormone (ACTH) over oral corticosteroids in management of infantile spasms (West syndrome).

West syndrome (WS), an age dependent epileptic encephalopathy is identified as a triad of infantile spasms (IS), psychomotor retardation and a specific EEG pattern known as hypsarrhythmia. The exact pathophysiology still remains unclear, although a majority of cases reveal history of exposure to stress, mainly hypoxic-ischemia. The management remains empirical with a poor prognosis.