ABSTRACT
Objectives: To compare levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in children with febrile seizures andfebrile controls. Methods: Study conducted in a tertiary-care hospital in Northern India fromNovember 2013 to April 2015, enrolling 160 children (80 each with febrile seizures and febrilecontrols), aged 6 – 60 months. Serum IL-6 estimated by ELISA method. Iron study done asper standard technique. All the cases of febrile seizure were followed up at 1 week, 3 monthsand 6 months for recurrence of seizures. Results: The mean serum IL-6 levels in childrenwith febrile seizures was 62.0 (63.9) pg/mL and febrile controls was 86.9 (70.6) pg/mL(P=0.025). Conclusion: Serum IL-6 levels were significantly lower in children with febrileseizures as compared to febrile controls.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare anti-HBs titers between term low birthweight (1800-2499 g) infants and normal birthweight infants, 6weeks after last dose of primary immunization with pentavalentvaccine, and to study adverse events following immunization(AEFI) with pentavalent vaccine.Design: Cohort study.Setting: Tertiary-care hospital predominantly catering to urbanpoor population of East Delhi.Participants: 265 low birthweight (1800-2499 g) and 265 normalbirthweight (2500-4000 g) infants. Monovalent Hepatitis B vaccinewas administered within 24 hours of birth followed by three primarydoses of pentavalent vaccine at 6, 10 and 14 weeks. Anti-HBstiters were estimated after 6 weeks of third dose of pentavalentvaccine. Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) monthwere observed for a month after each dose of pentavalent vaccine.Main outcome measures: Anti HBs antibody titers after 6 weeksof primary immunization, and AEFI.Result: 443 (83.5%) infants (225 low birthweight and 218 normalbirthweight infants) completed the follow-up. Seroprotectionagainst hepatitis B virus was achieved in both groups afterpentavalent vaccine administration. Anti HBs GMTs in lowbirthweight infants (194.8 mIU/mL) and normal birthweight infants(204.2 mIU/mL) were comparable (P = 0.17). No serious adverseevents were observed in either group.Conclusion: Three primary doses of pentavalent vaccineadministered along with zero dose of Hepatitis B vaccine at birthprovide good seroprotection. The vaccine appears to be safe inboth low birth weight and normal birthweight infants born at term.