ABSTRACT
Introduction: Viruses are the most common causative agents of hepatitis today and infect many millions of individuals annually. Viral hepatitis encompasses several diseases and represents a global health problem. It induces major morbidity and mortality and places enormous demands on economic and medical resources.Aim of the Study:Analysis of Anti Hbs Titre in Unimmunised Adolescent Children in Correlation with Socio-Demographic Profile.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai from April 2017 to March 2018.Vaccinated and unvaccinated (for Hepatitis B vaccine) adolescents between the age group of 10-19 years, who attended the department of Pediatrics, were included in this study.160 adolescents who were vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine and 160 adolescents who were unvaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine in the age group of 10-19 years. A total of 320 adolescents were included in the study. The correlation was done between two group based on socio-demographic data.Results:Among the mothers, 10.93% (35) were illiterates, 25.62% (82) had finished primary school. 33.44% (107) and 21.56%(69) had done middle school and higher secondary school (HSS) respectively. 8.45% (27) were graduates.In the study it was found that 7.19% (23) of fathers were illiterates, 23.44% (75) had stopped with primary school and 18.43%(59) with middle school. 34.69% (111) have done HSS and 16.25% (52) were graduates.Of total adolescents who participated in 25.63% (82) were from rural areas and 74.37% (238) were from urban areas.Among participants, 49.37% (158) belong to lower and 30.63% (98) belonged to lower middle class. The middle class andthe upper middle class had 9.06%(29) and 10.94% (35) respectively.Conclusion: The findings of the present study show the need for catch up vaccination among the adolescent's population, who missed their routine immunization with Hepatitis B vaccine. For health care professionals, this study is a evidence that stresses more about theimportance of providing Hepatitis B vaccination among adolescents.
ABSTRACT
Background: Kangaroo mother care provides Low birth weight babies with warmth, protection from infection and increases the success of breast feeding. Babies who had received KMC care were found to have better neurologic outcome. The aim of the study is to compare the outcome of Kangaroo mother care and conventional method of care among Low birth weight babies in terms of growth and reduction of morbidities such as length of hospital stay, hypothermia and hypoglycemia.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 48 neonates with a birth weight of <2000 grams. Out of them 24 babies received KMC and the other 24 babies were given conventional care with a radiant warmer. The weight gain, length of hospital stay, occurrence of hypothermia and hypoglycaemia were monitored for all babies till discharge.Results: Babies who received KMC had a better weight gain (21.11'2.8 grams/day) versus (15.61'2.6 grams/day) those who received conventional care, and this was found to be statistically significant (p=0.001). Kangaroo mother care provided a statistically significant reduction in the risk of having hypothermia (p=0.03) and hypoglycemia (p=0.04). The babies who received Kangaroo mother care had a shorter length of hospital stay and this was found to be statistically significant (p=0.03).Conclusions: Kangaroo mother care improved the growth and reduced the problems of low birth weight babies such as hypothermia, hypoglycaemia and prolonged hospital stay. Hence, it should be recommended in the care of all these high-risk neonates.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dental caries is commonly seen among school children. The World Health Organization has stated it to be one of the leading non-communicable diseases. Objective: To study the prevalence of dental caries among school children and to study the oral hygiene practices in the occurrence of dental caries.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 307 school children aged 10-15 years. Each child was asked about the dental hygiene practices and was examined for the presence of caries.Results: The prevalence of dental caries among school children was found to be 48.9 % with the 95% CI of 43.3% - 54.4%. The prevalence of dental caries was high among children 10-12 years of age 95(53.6%) compared to 55 (42.3%) among children in the age group of 13-15 years (p=0.05). Daily sweet consumption was significantly associated with a higher prevalence 40 (63.5%) of dental caries (p=0.01). Children not consuming vegetables and fruits everyday had a higher prevalence 76.5% dental caries (p = 0.03). Children who are not practicing night brushing had a higher prevalence of 112 (52.8%) of caries (p=0.04). The study showed that only 17.3% of the children visited a dental health care service.Conclusion: Authors found the prevalence of dental caries to be high. Health education regarding the importance of good oral hygiene practices such as night brushing, diet modification and periodic dental visits to all the school children will play a major role in the prevention of dental caries.
ABSTRACT
Background: The clinical manifestations of sepsis are highly variable. The signs of both infection and organ dysfunction may be subtle, and thus the most recent international consensus guidelines provide a long list of warning signs of incipient sepsis. Lactic acid, which is a by-product of anaerobic metabolism, can be used as a marker of tissue hypoperfusion. It is being used widely. Procalcitonin has more recently been studied in children.Methods: Totally 60 Children admitted with Septic Shock in PICU between Ages 3 Months to 12 Years were assessed for Serum Lactate & Serum Procalcitonin levels. Evaluation of the biomarkers was done on individual and combinational basis using receiver operating characteristics curve.Results: Out of 60 children, male were 40, female were 20 children. In stage-1 serum lactate' level was 47.83 (mg/dl) sensitivity is about 35.63 and specificity was 63.82' off p-value <0.065**.In stage -2 serum procalcitonin was 49.62 (mg/dl) sensitivity is about 37.77 and specificity was 69.28' off p-value <0.549**.In stage -3 serum procalcitonin was 52.89 (mg/dl) sensitivity is about 41.63 and specificity was 73.89' off p-value <0.651**Conclusions: Early recognition of risk factors will help in timely appropriate therapy and thereby will help in reducing mortality and morbidity in pediatric septic shock. The results suggest that PCT is valid for auxiliary diagnosis of septic conditions in children and used as an indicator of the severity of patients.