Renal Histopathological Changes in Children With Congenital Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction.

Renal histologic changes in congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO), although well documented, are sparsely studied in children. This study aims to establish a histological grading depending on the glomerular and tubulo-interstitial changes in hydronephrotic kidneys and determine correlation with age at surgery and impact on function post-pyeloplasty. A renal cortical wedge biopsy was obtained after pyeloplasty and histological changes were graded from 1 to 4.

Unusual Manifestation of Vitamin K Deficiency, Nodular Purpura: A Case Series.

Vitamin K deficiency is a common entity in infancy characterized by bleeding from various sites, intracranial bleeding being the most commonly reported feature. Nodular purpura is an uncommon manifestation of vitamin K deficiency in infancy with a few reported cases in literature. We present four cases of infants presenting with nodular purpura as a manifestation of late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB).

Growth dynamics of Indian infants using latent trajectory models in pooled survey datasets.

Background: National survey data show that age- and sex-standardized weight and length measurements decline early in Indian children. In population-level longitudinal data, early detection of growth trajectories is important for the implementation of interventions. We aimed to identify and characterize distinct growth trajectories of Indian children from birth to 12 months of age residing in urban and rural areas.

Prevalence of ABO, Rh (D, C, c, E, and e), and Kell (K) antigens in blood donors: A single-center study from South India.

Background: Although ABO and RhD are the clinically significant blood group antigens that are routinely tested for, other blood group antigens may become important in multiply transfused patients due to risk of alloimmunization. Knowledge of antigen prevalence in a population is important in the context of alloimmunization and antigen matching. This study aims to do the same in a population of voluntary blood donors of a center in South India.

Real time-PCR a diagnostic tool for reporting copy number variation and relative gene-expression changes in pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia-a pilot study.

Real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is used routinely in clinical practice as a cost-effective method for molecular diagnostics. Research in pediatric B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ped B-ALL) suggests that apart from cytogenetics and clinical features, there is a need to include Copy number variation (CNV) in select genes at diagnosis, for upfront stratification of patients. Using ped B-ALL as a model, we have developed a RT-PCR-based iterative probability scoring method for reporting CNVs, and relative gene-expression changes.

Epidemiology of Neurotrauma in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Single-center Experience of 10 Years.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children can lead to grave consequences. The mechanism, mode, and management of pediatric neurotrauma are different from adult neurotrauma, and there is a growing demand to study the clinicoepidemiology of pediatric TBI.

Objective: To explore the clinicoepidemiological profile and outcome of pediatric neurotrauma.

Intramuscular Cellular Nodules in a Congenital Large Plaque-Like Blue Nevus: Melanoma or Not?

Introduction: Melanoma arising in blue nevus (BN) is usually evident on histopathology. However, there are cases in the gray zone where neither morphology nor immunostains and molecular studies are conclusive.

Case Report: A 33-year-old man presented with greenish discoloration of the abdominal skin at birth.

Anaemia and iron deficiency in India: a venous blood-based survey of adolescents, adults, and the elderly in eight states.

Background: Surveys based on capillary blood show that anaemia is rampant in India, but capillary blood haemoglobin (Hb) may not accurately reflect venous blood Hb concentrations. Further, iron deficiency (ID) is thought to be the main cause of anaemia, there are no venous blood-based surveys to confirm this.

Methods: A community-based (urban, slum and rural) cross-sectional, venous blood survey was conducted in eight Indian states to estimate anaemia and ID prevalences from Hb and inflammation-corrected plasma ferritin concentrations in adolescents, adults, and elderly.

Is Red Cell Distribution Width the Universal Biomarker of Disease Severity and Outcome?

Havaldar AA. Is Red Cell Distribution Width the Universal Biomarker of Disease Severity and Outcome? Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(12):1087-1088.

Feasibility of Implementing Resuscitation Training for Parents of At-risk Infants at Discharge (FIRST AID).

Introduction: Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates are at risk of sudden death at home after discharge. Many of these deaths can be prevented if parents can identify warning signs and provide immediate resuscitation.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of training parents of high-risk neonates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to deliver infant resuscitation effectively.

Preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate to predict cardiac events in major noncardiac surgery: a secondary analysis of two large international studies.

Background: Optimised use of kidney function information might improve cardiac risk prediction in noncardiac surgery.

Methods: In 35,815 patients from the VISION cohort study and 9219 patients from the POISE-2 trial who were ≥45 yr old and underwent nonurgent inpatient noncardiac surgery, we examined (by age and sex) the association between continuous nonlinear preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the composite of myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery, nonfatal cardiac arrest, or death owing to a cardiac cause within 30 days after surgery. We estimated contributions of predictive information, C-statistic, and net benefit from eGFR and other common patient and surgical characteristics to large multivariable models.

IPNA clinical practice recommendations on care of pediatric patients with pre-existing kidney disease during seasonal outbreak of COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, instigated by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has profoundly impacted healthcare infrastructures around the globe. While children are usually asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, children with pre-existing kidney conditions require specialized attention. This pivotal report, championed by the International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA), delivers precise and actionable recommendations tailored for pediatric patients with kidney ailments in this pandemic landscape.

Preoperative coagulopathy and blood transfusion requirements in children with intraventricular lesions undergoing neurosurgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Pediatric patients undergoing neurosurgery pose risk of perioperative hemorrhage and clotting dysfunction which is increased in tumors with high vascularity, endothelial exposure, and necrosis. Lesions affecting the ventricular system may arise from several etiologies, including rare tumors. The present study aimed to study the preoperative coagulation and transfusion profile of pediatric patients undergoing neurosurgery for intraventricular lesions.

Disparities in kidney care in vulnerable populations: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA.

Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, displaced people, and refugees, often encounter challenges in accessing healthcare. In this study, we used data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to describe kidney care access and delivery to vulnerable populations across countries and regions. Using data from an international survey of clinicians, policymakers, and patient advocates, we assessed the funding and coverage of vulnerable populations on all aspects of kidney replacement therapies (KRT).

Sonographic Assessment of Isthmocele and Its Obstetric Complications in Subsequent Pregnancies: A Pictorial Review.

Cesarean scar defect represents a significant pathology attributed to the rising prevalence of cesarean deliveries. While not commonplace, these lesions can give rise to severe obstetric consequences during subsequent pregnancies. Given the potential complications, it is advisable to screen for uterine niches using transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) or contrast-enhanced TVUS for individuals planning to conceive.

Factors influencing confidence in tracheal intubation among neonatal trainees: A questionnaire-based study.

Aim: Tracheal intubation (TI) is pivotal in managing critically ill neonates. This study aims to investigate the disparities in exposure and training techniques that affect self-perceived confidence in neonatal fellows concerning TI.

Methods: A comprehensive, structured questionnaire-based survey was conducted among neonatal trainees from October to November 2022.

The Oral Bioavailability of Vitamin B at Different Doses in Healthy Indian Adults.

Background/objectives: The bioavailability of crystalline vitamin B (B) through active absorption is reported to have a maximum capacity of 1.5-2.5 µg per dose.

Unusual Presentation of Conidiobolomycosis.

A 31-year-old gentleman, hailing from West Bengal, a farmer by occupation, with no known prior comorbidities, presented with a history of multiple painful swellings over the abdomen, thorax (back and front), and suprapubic region of 6 months' duration. The swelling started in the abdomen and subsequently involved the thorax. It also progressively increased in size over the 6 months.

Conventional Synthetic Disease-modifying Drugs Remain the Mainstay of Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis in India.

Background: There are limited data on the real-world utilization of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in Indian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of a multicentric observational cohort of RA patients across rheumatology clinics at six centers across India. Patients who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 criteria for RA were included.