Coagulation Profile in neonates with perinatal asphyxia

Background: Perinatal Asphyxia refers to a condition during the first and second stage of labour in which impaired gas exchange leads to fetal acidosis, hypoxemia and hypercarbia. It accounts for about 23 per cent of the four million newborn deaths worldwide.Methods: To estimate the magnitude of coagulation derangement in babies who suffered birth asphyxia and compare it with non-asphyxiated controls.Results: There were 61.9% and 64 % males in both the groups outnumbering females suggesting that the health care seeking behavior for male children is more than for their female counterparts. Birth weight and mode of delivery are comparable in both the groups. PT and APTT were significantly higher in the asphyxiated babies than in their respective control group. It may be noted , however, that PT and APTT values were higher in the control group also, when compared with the reference values. This may indicate that the hemostatic mechanisms are already compromised in the newborns and perinatal asphyxia further augment the situation tilting it in favour of bleeding. Thrombocytopenia is observed in the asphyxiated group which may be due to placental insufficiency. Severe bleeding is significant in asphyxiated group as compared to the control.Conclusion: Dyscoagulation should be considered in all asphyxiated babies, and they may present with clinically significant bleeding, which may require fresh frozen plasma to restore and maintain their coagulation status.

Clinico-laboratory profile of central nervous system infection by scrub typhus at a tertiary care hospital

Background: Scrub typhus is an emerging epidemic in India. Its course can be complicated by involvement of Respiratory system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system and central nervous system. Central nervous system involvement can lead to major morbidity and mortality.Methods: It is an observational study conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna from January 2016 to August 2018.' All cases of AES who were serologically proven to be due to scrub typhus were clinically examined, signs and symptoms were noted, and complete blood counts were done. Lumbar puncture was done, and CSF was sent for analysis of cells, sugar and protein, IgM for scrub typhus in CSF, gram staining and CSF culture.Results: Seventy-eight cases were tested positive for scrub typhus. Incidence of scrub typhus among AES cases was 19.4% in the study. Among cases of Scrub typhus, a male predominance and sex ratio was 1.68. Age at presentation ranged from 2 months to 12 years with a mean age of 7.28 years. Most of the cases were seen in the months of September and October with a mini peak in the month of March. Fever and Altered consciousness were present in all the cases. Among laboratory investigations, thrombocytopenia was the most common feature followed by raised Transaminases. CSF Analysis shows mildly increased cell count with lymphocytic predominance and presence of few polymorphs, sugar mildly decreased, and protein mildly raised.Conclusions: Scrub typhus is an important causative agent of AES in the Eastern parts of India. It should be suspected in cases which present as AES with symptoms of hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes in addition to dengue encephalitis which forms its close differential.

Analysis of outcome of acute encephalitis syndrome after inclusion of coverage against scrub typhus

Background: Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) has emerged as a major epidemic in Bihar and is associated with high mortality. Owing to the increasing burden of disease and its associated morbidity and mortality, studies were undertaken to evaluate specific etiology of AES. Some studies suggested emergence of scrub typhus as a major cause of AES accounting for about 25% of the cases1. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was developed for treatment of AES cases in Bihar which included addition of Injection Azithromycin (@ 10 mg/kg for 7 to 10 days in case of suspected mycoplasma/rickettsial infection. The objective of the study is to compare the outcome of AES before and after the inclusion of coverage against rickettsial infection.Methods: It is a randomized controlled trial conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna from January 2016 to August 2018.Results: Total number of patients enrolled in both the groups were 127 and 88 respectively. No significant difference were seen in the baseline socio- demographic characteristics of the two groups. Case Fatality Rate in the 1st group (without inclusion of Azithromycin) was 39.3% while in the 2nd Group (with Azithromycin) was 12.5%.Conclusions: Due to the emergence of scrub typhus as a major etiological factor for AES, inclusion of coverage against it along with measures like widespread immunization against Japanese Encephalitis and prompt management of complications and euglycemia, can result in steady decline in the death rates due to AES.