ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension seen in childhood can progress into adulthood thereby increasing morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Younger the age of onset of hypertension, the greater is the reduction of life expectancy if left untreated. With increase in incidence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension in children; it is important to measure and record blood pressure along with weight and height at least once a year as recommended by National Institute of Health (NIH) task force of USA. Aims and objectives was to determine the prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension and to identify the associated risk factors for them in school going adolescents.Methods: An observational/cross-sectional study conducted among adolescents studying between Std 5th to Std 9th. A total 507 students belonging to the age group of 10-17 years were examined. Anthropometric measurements were taken to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) and Blood pressure was measured by using mercury sphygmomanometer. Gender, age and height were considered for determining hypertension.Results: Amongst the 507 children, prevalence of pre-hypertension was 15.4% and that of hypertension was 10.85%. The study also revealed statistically significant higher prevalence of hypertension in males than in females. Family history of hypertension and dietary habits, obesity were positively correlated with higher prevalence of hypertension. A higher prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension was seen in the present study group compared to the similar studies in the state.Conclusions: The prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension among adolescent school children was 15.38% and 10.8% respectively. Possible risk factors for this current trend may be the increasing sedentary life style, faulty eating habits, and increased fat/salt contents of diet. The results suggest the need for more public awareness and prevention programs for childhood obesity and hypertension.
ABSTRACT
Background: The care of the critically ill children remains one of the most demanding and challenging aspects in the field of paediatrics. The main purpose of Paediatric Intensive care unit is to prevent mortality by intensively monitoring and treating critically ill children who are considered at high risk of mortality. In the developing countries, there is a scarce data on paediatric critical care. Evaluation of the outcome of medical interventions can assess the efficacy of treatment. This helps in better decision making, improving the quality of care and modifying the future of management if required. This study will also help to study the causes of morbidity and mortality among paediatric age group in our hospital. Aims and Objectives of the study is to evaluate the morbidity pattern and outcome of admissions in the PICU of a rural teaching hospital, and to take measures to prevent morbidity and mortality by improving critical care facilities.Methods: This was a retrospective study, the cases admitted in paediatric ICU in our teaching hospital in last two and a half considering the estimated sample size. Data will be collected from PICU and Medical record Department. Details will be studied with the help of medical record and will be analysed and interpreted according to the medical record details.Results: During a period of 30 months of the study, total of 417 patients were admitted in our PICU. Of the total cases studied, Maximum i.e. 180(43.2%) had age below 1 year. The minimum ' maximum range of age was between 1 day to 18 years. About 228(54.7%) cases were males and 189(45.3%) were females. The most common diagnosis was LRTI which was observed in 61(14.7%) of cases. The most common system involved was respiratory system which was observed in 101(21.8%) cases. Of total cases studied, 357(85.6%) were discharged, 36(8.6%) had DAMA (discharge against medical advice) and 24(5.8%) expired.Conclusions: Mortality was low in our PICU. We conclude based on the present study that in our rural set up PICU, with better treatment protocols, skilled expertise/ Paediatric Intensivist we have chances to facilitate the care of critically ill patients giving desirable outcome.