ABSTRACT
Background: Haemophilia A and B are the most common severe bleeding disorders and are inherited as X linked recessive pattern. The main clinical manifestations include bleeding into musculoskeletal sites or soft tissues mainly causing joint impairment and thus resulting in various morbidities. Prophylaxis therapy and inhibitor management have contributed a lot to the management of haemophilia cases. However in resource poor setting countries, like India, availability of factors, prophylactic therapy is farfetched leading to joint abnormalities, decreased physical activity and thus leading to different nutritional states. Studies from developed countries reveal obesity and overweight instances in children with Hemophilia. However not many studies have been undertaken to evaluate the nutritional status of such children in India.Methods: This study was conducted in the Comprehensive hemophilia Care Centre, Victoria Hospital, attached to Bangalore Medical College. A total of 50 children were included in the study. Children aged between 4 and 18 years attending the hemophilia Clinic were included in the study. Observations and review of relevant documents were done.Results: Among 50 children of haemophilia, 18(36%) children were aged less than 10 years and 32(64%) children were aged more than 10 years. The mean age of onset of disease in haemophilia A was 27.5 months (SD of 24.84; range 6-120) and in haemophilia B was 8 months (SD of 2.72; range 3-12). The mean BMI among children aged more than 10 years was more (21.35; SD= 4.02) compared to the children less than 10 years (16.87; SD= 3.41).Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children with Haemophilia is more in adolescent age group compared to children in the first decade.
ABSTRACT
Background: India was one of the first countries to adopt the World Health Organization's Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI). The program started globally in 1974 and was initiated in India in 1978. Immunization is considered to be one of the most important cost-effective and a powerful public health intervention. Achieving maximum coverage, however, has been a challenge due to many reasons, including high rates of defaulters from the program. The term 'defaulter' is used to refer a child who misses the scheduled vaccinations for any reason. The objective of this study was to explore the reasons behind defaulting from the routine immunization program.Methods: A study was conducted in Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, Bangalore between January 2012 and December 2012. A total of sixty six children's' details were gathered from mothers of defaulted children. Children below 5 years attending OPD were included in the study. Children above 5 years and inpatients were excluded. Observations and review of relevant documents was done.Results: Of the 66 children, in our study, males were more than females. Children in the age group of 2 years to 5 years were 17(25%) as compared to those between 1 to 2 years. Mothers were more literate than fathers. Muslim children had the best immunization coverage. The main determinant of defaulting was lack of knowledge and awareness regarding immunization by the mothers (21/31%) followed by sickness in children (11/16%), causing them to default immunization schedulesConclusions: The main reason for defaulting from the immunization program was lack of awareness, regarding immunization by mothers in the community.