Longitudinal Trends in In-Patient Antibiotic Consumption According to the WHO Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) Antibiotic Groups and Cost: An Analysis of Data at a National Antimicrobial Consumption Network (NAC-NET) Site in North India over 7 Years (2017-2023).

(1) Background: Antibiotic surveillance data are crucial to map out strategies to promote their optimal use at hospital and community levels. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of longitudinal trends in antibiotic consumption over 7 years at a core "National Antimicrobial Consumption Network" site in North India. (2) Methods: In-patient antibiotic consumption data (2017-2023) were obtained from the hospital's central drug store and organised as follows: defined daily dose per 100 bed-days; antibiotic consumption as per the WHO access, watch and reserve classification; trends in overall and different antibiotic classes' consumption; paediatric formulations of antibiotics; and hospital's annual expenditure on antibiotics.

Sequential Treatment with Modified Atkins Diet and Low Glycemic Index Treatment for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Children.

Objectives: The present study was designed to study the efficacy of sequential dietary therapy with a modified Atkins diet (mAD) followed by low glycemic index treatment (LGIT) in treating drug-resistant epilepsy in children.

Methods: This interventional study was conducted from February 2021 to February 2022 among children aged 6 months to 5 years who had failed to respond to more than two conventional and correctly chosen antiseizure medications. The primary endpoint was the proportion of good responders, that is, children with more than 50% seizure reduction.

Co-occurrence of rhino-orbital mucormycosis and acute lymphoblastic leukemia post-COVID-19 infection in a young adolescent male: A case report from a low middle-income country.

Key Clinical Message: Immunosuppression from B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) chemotherapy and a preceding COVID-19 infection may predispose patients to rare complications such as rhino-orbital mucormycosis. Hence, a high index of suspicion should be maintained by physicians (and oncologists) if patients undergoing B-ALL treatment present with orofacial symptoms and ophthalmological manifestations such as peri-orbital swelling, ophthalmoplegia, and loss of vision, suggestive of infection.

Abstract: Mucormycosis is a severe fungal infection that poses significant mortality and morbidity risks, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

The Availability of Essential Antimicrobials in Public and Private Sector Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Survey in a District of North India.

(1) Background: There is a need to assess the availability of essential antimicrobials, as the availability of an antimicrobial is a critical element of its rational use. We aimed to assess the availability of antimicrobials listed in the National List of Essential Medicines 2015, India (primary list), and a selected (secondary) list comprised of agents indicated for commonly encountered infectious illnesses in various healthcare settings and to identify the reasons for their non-availability. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 25 public, private, and other sector pharmacies was carried out in Rohtak, a district of the North Indian state of Haryana, from April to June 2022.

Parent's Perspective of Problems Faced during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on the Care of Children with Epilepsy: A Qualitative Study.

Background: COVID-19 has significantly impacted the care of children with chronic illness. There is a paucity of data on issues faced by parents of children with epilepsy (CWE) in an Indian setup.

Objectives: The objective was to describe the parental perspective of the problems faced by them on the care of their CWE during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awareness Regarding Antimicrobial Resistance and Antibiotic Prescribing Behavior among Physicians: Results from a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in India.

(1) Background: Understanding the physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and antimicrobial prescribing behavior is a crucial step towards designing strategies for the optimal use of these agents. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among clinicians across India between May and July 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire in English comprising 35 questions pertaining to demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practices domains. (3) Results: A total of 544 responses were received from 710 physicians contacted.

Trends and Challenges in the Development of 3D-Printed Heart Valves and Other Cardiac Implants: A Review of Current Advances.

This article provides a comprehensive review of the current trends and challenges in the development of 3D-printed heart valves and other cardiac implants. By providing personalized solutions and pushing the limits of regenerative medicine, 3D printing technology has revolutionized the field of cardiac healthcare. The use of several organic and synthetic polymers in 3D printing heart valves is explored in this article, with emphasis on both their benefits and drawbacks.

An educational program on antimicrobial resistance and stewardship for staff nurses in a public tertiary care hospital in India.

Background: Nurses, the largest group among healthcare professionals, hold a pivotal position to positively influence antimicrobial management by virtue of being in constant touch with patients and their widespread engagement in multiple activities relating to antimicrobial use. However, the existing gap in nursing curriculum particularly in areas related to antimicrobial resistance and optimal use of these agents limits the clinical application of nurses' skills and pose barrier to their contribution towards achieving desirable outcomes in patient care. This training program was conducted to increase the nurses' awareness on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and sensitize them on their role in optimal antimicrobial management and stewardship activities.

WHO-Point Prevalence Survey of Antibiotic Use Among Inpatients at a Core National Antimicrobial Consumption Network Site in North India: Findings and Implications.

Data on Point Prevalence Surveys (PPSs) in India are limited yet. We report findings of a PPS conducted in a core "National Antimicrobial Consumption Network site" under National Centre for Disease Control - WHO project "Point prevalence survey of antimicrobial consumption at healthcare facilities." A cross-sectional survey was conducted as per the "WHO methodology for PPS on antibiotic use in hospitals" in a tertiary care hospital in India in December 2021.

Oral Dexamethasone versus Prednisolone for Management of Children with West Syndrome: An Open-Labeled Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of oral dexamethasone and prednisolone in the treatment of newly diagnosed children aged 3-36 months of West syndrome.

Methods: An open-labeled, randomized controlled clinical trial with parallel group assignment was conducted among children aged 3-36 months with newly diagnosed West syndrome. They were randomized to receive either oral dexamethasone (0.

Outcomes of Neonates Born to Mothers With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - National Neonatology Forum (NNF) India COVID-19 Registry.

Background: Limited evidence exists on perinatal transmission and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in neonates.

Objective: To describe clinical outcomes and risk factors for transmission in neonates born to mothers with perinatal SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Design: Prospective cohort of suspected and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected neonates entered in National Neonatology Forum (NNF) of India registry.

Inhaled route and anti-inflammatory action of ivermectin: Do they hold promise in fighting against COVID-19?

In an effort to curb the global pandemic due to coronavirus, the scientific community is exploring various treatment strategies with a special emphasis on drug repurposing. Ivermectin, an anti-helminthic drug is also being proposed for treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Ivermectin has demonstrated broad spectrum antiviral activity against both DNA and RNA viruses.

Pattern of Comorbid Headache Among Children with Epilepsy Treated for Neurocysticercosis.

The present cross-sectional study was designed to describe the pattern of comorbid headache among children with epilepsy (CWE) secondary to neurocysticercosis (NCC). Children aged 6 to 14 y (n = 70) already diagnosed with neurocysticercosis on a minimum follow-up of six months were consecutively enroled in the study over a period of four months. Majority of them were boys [41 (58%)] with a mean (SD) age of 9.

Non-compaction of ventricular myocardium with polycystic kidney disease with cardiogenic cerebral embolism.

Non-compaction of ventricular myocardium is a rare cardiomyopathy involving an early arrest of normal compaction of myocardium during fetal ontogenesis. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a hereditary nephropathy characterised by multiple renal cysts replacing the renal parenchyma and extrarenal manifestations. Here, we report a case of 65-year-old man, chronic smoker, presented with sudden onset right brachial monoparesis, exertional dyspnoea, orthopnoea, bipedal swelling and diagnosed as a case of ADPKD with left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy with acute left ventricular failure and cardiogenic cerebral embolism (no evidence of atrial fibrillation); based on characteristic appearance on two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance.

Extensive condylomata lata in an adolescent: An uncommon and unusual presentation.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in children account for a great physical and psychosocial morbidity. Being rare, they require a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. STIs may also be the first indication of child sexual abuse (CSA).

Prevalence and predictors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in prediabetes.

Backgroud And Aims: Various studies have evaluated the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with diabetes but few studies on prevalence of NAFLD in prediabetes have been performed so far. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of NAFLD in prediabetics.

Material And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 diagnosed cases of Prediabetes were compared with 100 normoglycemic people after random selection from OPD for NAFLD by using various biochemical parameters and ultrasonography.

Severe 25(OH)vitamin-D deficiency: A risk factor for development of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To estimate the level of 25 (OH)vitamin D in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to find the correlation between level of 25(OH)vitamin D and GDM.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted on 50 diagnosed patients of GDM attending antenatal clinic in the obstetrics and gynecology department of Pt. B.

Prevalence of depression among the elderly (60 years and above) population in India, 1997-2016: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is lack of information on the magnitude of depression among elderly population in India. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression among elderly population in India.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, IndMed, and Google Scholar were searched to identify articles reported community-based prevalence of depression among elderly population using screening tools.