Frequency of cardiorenal syndrome type-I in hospitalized children with acute heart failure in a tertiary-care hospital

To determine the frequency of cardiorenal syndrome in hospitalized children with acute heart failure. Descriptive study. Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from December 2010 to December 2011. Sixty eight [68] children with acute heart failure fulfilling the selection criteria were evaluated for worsening of renal function [WRF]. Serum creatinine was done at baseline and repeated at 72 hours to see the worsening of renal function. Estimated serum creatinine clearance was calculated by Schwartz formula. Mean age of patients was 43.6 +/- 55.2 months. There were 43 [63%] males, 70% were under 57 months of age. Mean weight on admission was 14.7 +/- 19.13 kg and mean height was 83 cm [ +/- 31.08 SD]. Mean serum creatinine on admission was 0.77 mg/dl [ +/- 1.18 SD]. Worsening renal function was noted in 55 [81%] of children, out of those, majority 36 [70.5%] were under 5 years of age. Worsening renal function was found in 81% of children admitted with the diagnosis of acute heart failure. Majority [70.5%] were under 5 years of age indicating a closer observation of renal status in younger age group to reduce, morbidity and mortality

Trend of complementary therapies in paediatric age group

To assess the knowledge of mothers regarding commonly used Complimentary alternative medicines, their usage and various therapeutic choices for common ailments. A cross-sectional Survey on a predesigned proforma was done from July 2007- August 2007 in the out patient department of a tertiary care hospital. Consent was taken from the participants and 375 complete proformas were included in the study out of 500 interviewed. Of the 375 mothers who were interviewed, 237 [63.2%] believed in alternative medicine whereas 138 [36.8%] did not believe in it. Complimentary alternative medicines [CAM] was used most often in children with respiratory tract and gastro intestinal symptoms, the most frequently used therapy was Honey 58.9% and Joshanda 31.2%, followed by Heeng 11.3% and brandy being used in 2.8% for respiratory complaints. Gastrointestinal symptoms were treated with Saunf water 28.4%, mint 20.6% and ajwain 17.7%.Higher education level was associated with more complementary medicine use. Majority of mothers used it for gastrointestinal problems and respiratory problems 24% and 22.2% respectively. Mothers are aware of various available CAM and are using them for different ailments like honey for respiratory illnesses, Saunf and Ajwain for gastrointestinal problems as they have been found to have linctus and antispasmodic effects respectively. It has also been observed that the CAM was used in combination with other therapeutic modalities and not alone