Nutritional Status and its Determinants in Toddlers: A case study of Hilly region of Uttarakhand

Background: Nutrition in early childhood is of utmost importance specifically for first 1000 days. (1) If in this phase nutrition is neglected, it drags the child into the trap of malnutrition. Aims & Objectives: The objectives were: assess the nutritional status of children and identify the risk factors related to malnutrition in children (1-3) years. Methods & Material: Descriptive exploratory design- conducted in rural villages of Haldwani block, Uttarakhand. Multi stage random sampling technique was used to select 703 children of (1-3) years and their mothers. The children were screened for malnutrition and mothers were interviewed via semi – structured interview schedule. Results: It was found that, 74(11%) children were undernourished, 28 (3.9%) were wasted in mild category and 11 (1.5%) in moderate category. About 87 (12%) were found to be stunted in mild to moderate category. Children below 2.5kg at birth [(1.106, 3.817), p= 0.023], non-initiation of breast feed in one hour [(0.979, 3.344), p=0.055], delayed initiation of weaning [(1.162,4.026), p=0.013] and recurrent illness [(1.187,3.447), p=0.009] were factors associated with malnutrition in children at 95% CI. Conclusion: It is very important to follow up the identified malnourished children so that in the preschool age the nutritional status can be improved.

Intravenous Iron sucrose and change in hemoglobin, ferritin, and oxidative stress markers among moderately anemic pregnant women attending a secondary care level Hospital in Northern India

Background: Intravenous iron is associated with oxidative stress, and very few studies have assessed change in oxidative stress markers post infusion. Objectives: The study aimed to measure the change in levels of hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, and select oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP]) 4 weeks following the administration of intravenous iron sucrose (IVIS) among moderately anemic pregnant women who were attending a secondary-level health-care facility, Haryana, North India. Methods: An observational study was conducted (May 2016 to Jan 2018) among pregnant women receiving intravenous iron sucrose i.e., IVIS (300 mg per dose) diluted in 300 mL of normal saline over 20� min and were followed up for a period of 4 weeks after the last dose of IVIS (end line). The study outcomes were measured in the levels of Hb, serum ferritin, MDA, SOD, and FRAP from the baseline to the end line. Results: The mean (95% confidence interval) change in the Hb and serum ferritin level 4 weeks after the last dose of IVIS was an increase of 2.5 (2.1�0) g/dL (P < 0.001) and 63.0 (44.7�.3) ng/mL (P < 0.001), respectively. There were no significant changes (baseline to end line) in mean (standard deviation [SD]) MDA level and mean (SD) FRAP level. The mean (SD) SOD level declined significantly (2.2 [0.4] U/mL to 1.6 [0.5] U/mL [P < 0.001]). No life-threatening adverse events were encountered during the study. Conclusion: IVIS was well tolerated and effective in treating moderate anemia in pregnancy. Body iron store was replenished following IVIS administration. There was no increase in oxidative stress following IVIS therapy.

Prevalence of anemia among elderly persons residing in old age homes in national capital territory, Delhi, India

Background: Anemia is a common morbidity in elderly persons (aged 60 years or above). In India, in recent years, the number of old age homes (OAHs) and the residents living in them has increased significantly. Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anemia among elderly persons living in OAHs. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among individuals living in OAH in Delhi, India. Using combination of location and type of OAH, 28 clusters of almost equal sizes were created, of which 13 clusters were randomly selected, and all elderly persons living therein were selected for the study. Sociodemographic profile was recorded using a self-designed, semistructured interview schedule. Hemoglobin (Hb) was estimated using HemoCue Hb 201+ system. Binary Logistic regression was used to assess the socioeconomic determinants of anemia. Results: The study included 334 elderly persons, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 75.2 (8.6) years and mean (SD) Hb of 11.6 (1.7) g/dL. The mean (SD) Hb in men was 12.1 (1.7) g/dL compared to 10.9 (1.5) g/dL among women (P < 0.0001). The overall prevalence of anemia was 68.7% (95% confidence interval 63.9, 73.4); among those who were anemic, 47.4% had mild anemia, 47.0% had moderate anemia, and 5.6% had severe anemia. The prevalence of mild anemia was 45% in men compared to 24.8% in women. The odds of anemia among ?80 years was 2 times that among 60–69 years (P < 0.029). Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia among elderly persons in OAHs is high in Delhi, India and increased with age.

Anemia at the time of delivery and its association with pregnancy outcomes: A study from a secondary care hospital in Haryana, India

Maternal anemia has been reportedly associated with increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth have been reported to be associated with anemia. However, different studies have shown inconsistent results. In the present study, we report the association between maternal hemoglobin levels at the time of delivery and outcomes among women at a secondary care hospital in northern India. Secondary analysis of routinely collected hospital data from January 2015 to December 2016 was carried out. Sociodemographic details, hemoglobin levels at the time of admission, and birth outcomes were retrieved from the records of women admitted for delivery. The outcomes were compared among anemic and nonanemic women. About 78% of the women were found to have anemia at the time of delivery. A significantly higher proportion of anemic women had preterm labor.

Routine immunisation in India.

Vaccine preventable diseases have been reduced in the country since the routine immunisation programme started in 1978 as the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, then in 1985 renamed as Universal Immunisation Programme. Re-emergence of some vaccine preventable disease is a concern to all and the Government of India has launched a new multiyear plan to strengthen the routine immunisation. A number of recommendations was made to address the weaknesses in the programme. Some newer initiatives were also made under the multiyear plan and National Rural Health Mission to strengthen the routine immunisation. The general practitioners can play a positive role while immunising children as per Universal Immunisation Programme. Routine immunisation is one of the key components of polio eradication.

Primary omental torsion: case report.

Primary omental torsion is a rare condition. It is confused with acute appendicitis. Presence of a normal appendix at surgery should raise the suspicion of omental torsion.

Serological study of human toxoplasmosis in Calcutta.

A total of 248 randomly selected subjects from urban, semiurban and rural areas of Calcutta was studied serologically for the prevalence of antibody to Toxoplasma gondii using latex agglutination technique. Fifty-nine (23.79%) out of these 248 subjects were found to possess anti-toxoplasma antibody. Seropositivity was found to be higher in females (25%) as compared to males (22.32%). Agewise highest positivity (30.5%) for toxoplasma antibody was observed in the third decade and lowest in the first decade of life, though all the age groups were involved by this protozoal infection. Sexwise distribution of anti-toxoplasma antibody showed highest positivity rate in the third decade in males and in the fourth decade in females. Twenty-five per cent of the subjects had history of contact with cat and/or soil and most of the subjects belonged to the middle and low income groups.