Pediatric hospitalizations at two different setting community hospitals in north India: implications for regionalization of care.

Objective: To evaluate pediatric hospitalizations at two different setting community hospitals in north India, and to understand the implications for regionalization of pediatric care in heterogeneous environment of India.

Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of children hospitalized at a large and a small community hospital catering to population from different social classes but in close proximity to each other was carried out. Baseline characteristics and diagnosis were recorded, and compared using appropriate statistical tests.

Neonatal vitamin A supplementation for prevention of mortality and morbidity in infancy: systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of neonatal vitamin A supplementation on infant mortality, morbidity and early adverse effects.

Design: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomised controlled trials.

Data Sources: Electronic databases and hand search of reviews; abstracts and proceedings of conferences.

Meta-analysis: efficacy of bovine lactoferrin in Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Background: Several randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) have sought to determine the efficacy of bovine lactoferrin in Helicobacter pylori eradication with equivocal results.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of bovine lactoferrin supplementation in H. pylori eradication.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the short-term effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on insulin sensitivity in apparently healthy, middle-aged, centrally obese men.

Aim: To determine the short-term effect of vitamin D(3) supplementation on insulin sensitivity in apparently healthy, middle-aged, centrally obese men.

Subjects And Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care facility in which 100 male volunteers aged > or = 35 years received three doses of vitamin D(3) (120,000 IU each; supplemented group) fortnightly or placebo (control group). Hepatic fasting insulin sensitivity [homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index, HOMA-2], postprandial insulin sensitivity [oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS)], insulin secretion (HOMA%B, HOMA2-%B), lipid profile and blood pressure were measured at baseline and at 6 weeks' follow-up.

Direct cost of ambulatory care of type 2 diabetes in the middle and high income group populace of Delhi: the DEDICOM survey.

Objective: To estimate the direct cost of ambulatory care in diabetes patients in the middle and high income group populace of Delhi.

Research Design And Methods: We analyzed the drugs, investigations, consultation and monitoring related data available from a survey of 35- 65-year-old known diabetes patients conducted using a probability-proportionate-to-size 2-stage cluster design to calculate the direct cost of ambulatory diabetes care.

Results: A total of 819 subjects were enrolled from 20,666 houses.

Effect of fermented milk-based probiotic preparations on Helicobacter pylori eradication: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of fermented milk-based probiotic preparations on Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Design: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Data Sources: Electronic databases and hand search of reviews, bibliographies of books and abstracts and proceedings of international conferences.

An exploratory study to evaluate the utility of an adapted Mother Generated Index (MGI) in assessment of postpartum quality of life in India.

Background: Given the postulated advantages of mother generated index (MGI) in incorporating the patients' viewpoint and in the absence of a validated India specific postpartum quality of life assessment tool we proposed to evaluate the utility of an adapted Mother-Generated-Index in assessing postpartum quality of life (PQOL) in India.

Methods: The study was integrated into a community survey conducted in one district of Delhi by two-stage cluster randomized sampling to recruit women who delivered in the last 6 months. PQOL was assessed using MGI.

Predicting adult metabolic syndrome from childhood body mass index: follow-up of the New Delhi birth cohort.

Objectives: To assess whether serial measurements of childhood body mass index (BMI) give clinically useful predictions of the risk of developing adult metabolic syndrome and impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes.

Design/setting: Follow-up of a community-based birth cohort in Delhi, India.

Participants: 1492 men and women aged 26-32 years whose BMI was recorded 6-monthly throughout childhood.

Cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with known diabetes from the middle- and high-income group population of Delhi: the DEDICOM survey.

Aims: To determine the cardiovascular risk profile of known diabetic patients from the middle- and high-income group populace of Delhi.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a probability proportionate to size (systematic) two-stage cluster design. Thirty areas were selected for a house-to-house survey to recruit a minimum of 25 subjects (known diabetes > or = 1 year; 35-65 years of age) per area.

Effect of administration of intestinal anthelmintic drugs on haemoglobin: systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of routine administration of intestinal anthelmintic drugs on haemoglobin.

Design: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Data Sources: Electronic databases and hand search of reviews, bibliographies of books, and abstracts and proceedings of international conferences.

Alport's syndrome with blue sclera.

An Indian case of Alport's syndrome who had association of keratoglobus and blue sclerae is described.

Alcohol consumption, hepatic iron load and the risk of amoebic liver abscess: a case-control study.

Objective: It is unknown why most amoebic liver abscess (ALA) cases occur in alcohol drinkers. In experimental studies, the presence of 'iron' potentiates the in-vitro growth of Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), and is also known to increase its in-vivo invasiveness in animal infections.

Self-referral to specialists--a dodgy proposition.

Patients are often ill-equipped to know which speciality to choose for their health problem. Especially in the presence of non-specific symptoms, choosing the right specialist might not be so obvious. In such cases, misdirected self-referrals by patients to self-chosen specialists can sometimes lead to misdiagnosis resulting in unwarranted delays in getting the right treatment.

Hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis--treatment with heparin and insulin.

Heparin and insulin stimulate lipoprotein lipase and are known to decrease serum triglyceride levels. However, their efficacy in hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis is not well documented. We report a 51-year-old man in whom treatment with heparin and insulin was accompanied by reduction in serum triglyceride levels and resolution of pancreatitis.

Palmar erythema and hoarseness: an unusual clinical presentation of sarcoidosis.

Palmar erythema is a very unusual manifestation of sarcoidosis. We report on a patient whose presenting features of sarcoidosis were palmar erythema and a hoarse voice. The diagnosis was confirmed by palmar skin biopsy and the patient responded well to treatment with prednisolone.

Plasmodium vivax malaria presenting with severe thrombocytopenia.

Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria are endemic infections in India and are commonly associated with mild hematological abnormalities. Severe thrombocytopenia is common in isolated falciparum and mixed falciparum/vivax malaria, but is very rare in isolated P.vivax infection.

Horizontal canal paroxysmal positional vertigo (HCPPV) vs classical BPPV (new concepts about mechanism and domiciliary repositioning of particles).

Some new modificutiont of existing diagnostic and therapeutic manoeuvres (repositioning of particles) have been proposed, basing an the applications of the principles of hydrodynamics, inertial and gravitational forces in the semicircular canals. The above has been tried successfully on patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and horizontal eanal paroxysmal positional vertigo (HCPPV) which can be executed by the patients themselves at home without the kelp of a therapist.Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a well-established entity whereas Horizontal Canal Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (HCPPV) is a recently proposed one.

Epidemiological study of congenital heart disease.

A community based survey of congenital heart disease was carried out on a random sample of 11,833 children below 15 years in Delhi, India. Congenital heart disease was diagnosed on clinical history and/or clinical examination. Out of the examined sample, 50 were found suffering from congenital heart disease, giving an overall prevalence of 4.