Comparative effect of 1.2% atorvastatin gel and 1.2% rosuvastatin as a local drug delivery in treatment of intra-bony defects in chronic periodontitis

Background: The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 1.2% Atorvastatin (ATV) with 1.2% Rosuvastatin (RSV) as local drug delivery for treatment of Chronic Periodontitis (CP). Materials and Methods: Forty patients were equally divided into two groups. Group A underwent scaling and root debridement and 1.2% ATV gel (1.2 mg/0.1 mL) was placed, whereas group B received scaling and root debridement and RSV (1.2 mg/0.1 ml) was placed. Results: The results showed that both the groups had improvement in all the recorded parameters, and the results obtained were statistically significant. When comparison was made between the groups, no significant difference was obtained between atorvastatin and rosuvastatin at baseline in all recorded parameters. However, after 6 months significant improvement was recorded in CAL (Clinical attachment level) and PD (Probing depth). The plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) score however showed improvement, but it did not attain the level of significance. Conclusion: The present study showed improvement in clinical parameters with the use of ATV and RSV gel when used in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP) in CP patients. Patients with RSV gel showed up significantly better than the ones in which ATV gel was placed.

Pediatric Appropriate Evaluation Protocol for India (PAEP-India): Tool for Assessing Appropriateness of Pediatric Hospitalization

Objectives: To develop and assess Pediatric AppropriatenessEvaluation Protocol for India (PAEP-India) for inter-rater reliabilityand appropriateness of hospitalization.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: The available PAEP tools were reviewed and adaptedfor Indian context by ten experienced pediatricians followingsemi-Delphi process. Two PAEP-India tools; newborn (?28 days)and children (>28 days-18 years) were developed. These PAEP-India tools were applied to cases to assess appropriateness ofadmission and inter-rater reliability between assessors.Participants: Two sets of case records were used: (i) 274cases from five medical colleges in Delhi-NCR [?28 days (n=51);>28 days to 18 years (n=223)]; (ii) 622 infants who werehospitalized in 146 health facilities and were part of a cohort (n=30688) from two southern Indian states.Interventions: Each case-record was evaluated by twopediatricians in a blinded manner using the appropriate PAEP-India tools, and ‘admission criteria’ were categorized asappropriate, inappropriate or indeterminate.Main outcome measures: The proportion of appropriatehospitalizations and inter-rater reliability between assessors(using kappa statistic) were estimated for the cases.Results: 97.8% hospitalized cases from medical colleges werelabelled as appropriate by both reviewers with inter-rateragreement of 98.9% (k=0.66). In the southerm Indian set ofinfants, both reviewers labelled 80.5% admissions as appropriatewith inter-rater agreement of 96.1% (k= 0.89).Conclusions: PAEP-India (newborn and child) tools are simple,objective and applicable in diverse settings and highly reliable.These tools can potentially be used for deciding admissionappropriateness and hospital stay and may be evaluated later forusefulness for cost reimbursements for insurance proposes.

Rotavirus Diarrhea in Children Presenting to an Urban Hospital in Western Uttar Pradesh, India.

Objective: To determine the proportion and clinical profile of rotavirus-associated diarrhea in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Methods: Clinical details and stool samples were collected from 254 children aged between 6 months to 5 years presenting with acute diarrhea, irrespective of hydration status, to the outpatient department or emergency room of a hospital in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. Results: Rotavirus accounted for 26.3% (51 of 194) of diarrhea cases overall, and 41.2% (14 of 34) in hospitalized children. Rotavirus infection was associated with significantly longer duration [3.3 (1.4) d vs. 2.5 (1.1) d; P=0.004) of diarrhea, and more chances of dehydration (OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.19, 3.57) as compared to non-rotavirus diarrhea. Conclusion: Rotavirus is a common cause of acute diarrhea in under-five children, and is associated with a longer duration and more chances of dehydration than non-rotavirus diarrhea.

Serum Phenobarbitone Levels in Term and Near-Term Neonates with Seizures.

Objective: To evaluate serum phenobarbitone levels in neonates with seizures and to evaluate the effect of repeated loading dose on serum phenobarbitone levels. Methods: In this prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care centre of Northern India during 2011- 2012, 99 neonates admitted with seizureswere included.Serum phenobarbitone levels in neonates with seizures at 20 minutes and 12 hours after the first loading dose of phenobarbitone were measured. Results: Serum phenobarbitone levels [mean (SD)] at 20 min and 12 hours was 27.3 (28.4) µg/mL and 23 (19.1) µg/mL, respectively (P=0.07). The mean serum phenobarbitone levels 12 hours after the loading dose, and proportion of neonates with toxic levels increased with each loading dose of intravenous phenobarbitone. Conclusion: Monitoring of serum level of phonobarbitone may not be essential because seizure control in neonates appears to be independent of whether serum level is subtherapeutic, therapeutic or toxic range.

Umbilical Cord Milking and Hematological Parameters in Moderate to Late Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate the effect of umbilical cord milking on hematological parameters at 6 weeks of age in late preterm neonates. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: A tertiary care center of Northern India during 2013-14. Participants: 200 moderate to late preterm neonates randomly allocated to early cord clamping or umbilical cord milking group (100 in each). Intervention: In milking group, 25 cm length of cord was milked towards the baby thrice after separating (within 30 s) it from placenta. Main outcome measures: Hemoglobin and serum ferritin at 6 weeks of age. Results: Mean (SD) serum ferritin [428.9 (217.6) vs. 237.5 (118.6) ng/mL; P< 0.01] and hemoglobin [12.1 (1.5) vs. 10.4 (1.2) gm/dL; P<0.01] at 6 weeks were significantly higher in umbilical cord milking group. In early neonatal period, hemodynamic and hematological parameters were not significantly different. Higher incidence of jaundice with higher phototherapy rates (33% vs. 9%; P<0.01) were noted in umbilical cord milking group. Conclusion: In preterm neonates, umbilical cord milking at birth enhances iron stores at 6 weeks of age. Higher phototherapy rates with this intervention are a matter of concern.

Lactobacillus GG for treatment of acute childhood diarrhoea: An open labelled, randomized controlled trial.

Background & objectives: Randomized controlled trials in developed countries have reported benefits of Lactobacillus GG (LGG) in the treatment of acute watery diarrhoea, but there is paucity of such data from India. The study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lactobacillus GG in the treatment of acute diarrhoea in children from a semi-urban city in north India. Methods: In this open labelled, randomized controlled trial 200 children with acute watery diarrhoea, aged between 6 months to 5 years visiting outpatient department and emergency room of a teaching hospital in north India were enrolled. The children were randomized into receiving either Lactobacillus GG in dose of 10 billion cfu/day for five days or no probiotic medication in addition to standard WHO management of diarrhoea. Primary outcomes were duration of  diarrhoea  and time to change in consistency of stools. Results: Median (inter quartile range) duration of  diarrhoea  was significantly shorter in children in LGG group  [60 (54-72) h vs. 78 (72-90) h; P<0.001]. Also, there was faster improvement in stool consistency in children receiving Lactobacillus GG than control group [36 (30-36) h vs. 42 (36-48) h; P<0.001]. There was significant reduction in average number of stools per day in LGG group (P<0.001) compared to the control group. These benefits were seen irrespective of rotavirus positivity in stool tests. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results showed that the use of Lactobacillus GG in children with acute diarrhoea resulted in shorter duration and faster improvement in stool consistency as compared to the control group.

Phenobarbitone versus Phenytoin for Treatment of Neonatal Seizures: An Open-label Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of phenobarbitone and phenytoin for treatment of neonatal seizures in term and nearterm neonates. Design: Open labeled randomized controlled trial. Setting: Neonatal intensive care unit of a level II unit from India, from November 2008 to September 2009. Participants: All term and late pre-term neonates admitted with clinically apparent seizures and not having any transient metabolic disorders (hypoglycemia or hypocalcemia) were randomly assigned. Intervention: Phenobarbitone (n=54) or phenytoin (n=55) intravenously 20 mg/kg/dose over 20-30 min. Neonates whose seizures were not controlled by the assigned drug were then crossed over to be treated with other drug in same dose. Primary outcome variable: Clinical control of seizures (seizure free period of 24 hours after giving anticonvulsant). Results: Baseline characteristics including mean birthweight, gestation age and sex were comparable in both groups. Seizures were controlled in 8 of the 55 (14.5%) neonates who received phenytoin, as compared to 39 of 54 (72.2%) neonates who received phenobarbitone (P <0.001). In babies not responding to assigned drugs, after cross-over to the other drug, seizure control was achieved in 44/55 (80%) of the neonates assigned to receive phenytoin first as compared to 49/54 (91%) of those assigned to receive phenobarbitone first (P=0.014). After maximum dose of phenobarbitone seizures were controlled in 49/55(89%) in phenytoin group and 52/54 (96%) in phenobarbitone group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Phenobarbitone is more efficacious than phenytoin in control of clinical seizures in term or near-term neonates, irrespective of etiology.

Comparison of Analgesic Effect of Direct Breastfeeding, Oral 25% Dextrose Solution and Placebo during 1st DPT Vaccination in Healthy Term Infants: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Trial.

Objective: To compare analgesic effect of direct breast feeding, 25% dextrose solution and placebo as we give 1st intramuscular whole cell DPT injection to 6week - 3month old infants. Design: Randomized, placebo controlled trial. Setting: Immunization clinic of Department of Pediatrics, LLRM Medical College. Participants: Infants coming for their 1st DPT vaccination were randomized in to three groups of 40 each. Outcome measures: The primary outcome variable was the duration of cry after vaccination. Secondary outcome variables were Modified Facial Coding Score (MFCS) and latency of onset of cry. Results: 120 babies were equally enrolled in breast feed group, 25% dextrose fed group and distilled water fed group. Median (interquartile range) of duration of cry was significantly lower in breast fed (33.5 (17-54) seconds) and 25% dextrose fed babies (47.5 (31-67.5) seconds) as compared to babies given distilled water (80.5 (33.5-119.5) seconds) (P<0.001). MFCS at 1 min and 3 min was significantly lower in direct breast fed and dextrose fed babies. Conclusions: Direct breastfeeding and 25% dextrose act as analgesic in young infants undergoing DPT vaccination in young infants less than 3 month of age.

Lipid Profile in High Risk Children Aged 2-10 Years.

A case-control study was conducted to study the Lipid profile of high risk children (age 2-10 years). There was a significant elevation of total cholesterol (P<0.001) and LDL (P<0.001). Early dietary and lifestyle modifications can prevent this cascade.

Clinical profile and natural history of children with HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE: As the HIV infection spreads in India, increasing number of children are affected. We report the clinical manifestations, the laboratory parameters and follow up of these children. METHODS: We reviewed case records of all children diagnosed as pediatric HIV infection since 1995 in our department at a tertiary care hospital in north India. Since September 1999, all children with HIV infection registered in our clinic were prospectively followed up. Complete clinical and laboratory evaluation was performed at baseline and thereafter children were followed up. The children were managed according to standard treatment guidelines. RESULTS: 109 children (82 boys, 27 girls) were diagnosed to have HIV infection. The median (range) age at presentation was 48 months (range: 0.75 months-180 months). Eighty one (74.3%) children acquired the infection vertically. Ninety-one (83.5%) children were symptomatic at time of presentation. The common symptoms in the former were failure to thrive (81.3%), recurrent fever (73.6%), diarrhea (50.5%) and recurrent or persistent pneumonia (44%). All children had poor nutritional status at baseline. Of the 67 children who followed up, 36 were receiving antiretroviral drugs (32 received 3 drugs), while families of 31 children did not opt for antiretroviral therapy. Children receiving antiretroviral therapy showed improvement in nutritional parameters. CONCLUSION: Majority of children with HIV infection presented with various clinical manifestations, poor nutritional status and immunosuppression. Administration of nevirapine based antiretroviral therapy leads to improvement in growth and immune restoration.

Antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1 infected children.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy is beyond reach of most HIV-infected children in developing countries. There is paucity of data on more affordable regimens such as ones based on nevirapine and 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. We report our experience with the use of antiretroviral therapy in children with HIV-1 infection at a tertiary care hospital in north India. The study subjects were HIV-1 infected children, who were receiving 3-drug antiretroviral therapy for a period of three or more months. The children were regularly followed up for any complications, changes in anthropometry, and changes in CD4 counts. The mean age of children at diagnosis (n=26; 22 boys) was 68.5 +- 33.4 months. These children were followed up for a mean of 19.7 +- 18.7 months. Twenty four children received nevirapine based regimen. There was statistically significant improvement in weight for height and body mass index on follow up. The mean CD4 count changed from baseline (n=24) of 584.3 +- 685.9 mm3 to 614.4 +- 455.7 mm3 (n=15) at last follow up. One child developed minor skin rash in the initial two weeks of starting nevirapine. One child developed pancreatitis. We conclude that administration of nevirapine based ART for HIV-1 infected children is feasible in resource poor setting. There is improvement in growth parameters with use of this therapy.

Continuous positive airway pressure - a gentler approach to ventilation.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has become a useful modality in management of respiratory distress, especially in preterm babies. Main indications for use of CPAP are respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and apnea of prematurity. It decreases the need of invasive and costly mechanical ventilation. This review details the physiological effects of CPAP, its methods of delivery, and its need in a country like India. It also describes the guidelines for initiating and weaning CPAP. The review concludes that use of CPAP in respiratory distress syndrome is associated with lower rates of failed treatment, decreased incidence of chronic lung disease and lower overall mortality, specially in infants with birth weight above 1500 grams. Early use of CPAP is more beneficial, Surfactant and CPAP act in conjunction for babies with RDS. CPAP is a low-cost, simple and noninvasive option for a country like India, where most places lack facilities of mechanical ventilation. Systematic reviews, randomized and quasi-randomized trials by searching MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library formed the basis of this update.

Survival and morbidity in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.

We report the morbidity and mortality in extremely low birth weight neonates (ELBW) from a tertiary care hospital over seven years (1994-2000). Data regarding maternal and neonatal details was obtained from old records, computer database and medical files. Of the 12,807 live births during this period, 137 (1.07%) were ELBW infants. All of them were managed without surfactant. Overall, 67 infants (48.7%) survived to discharge. The most commonly encountered morbidities were hyperbilirubinemia(65%), respiratory distress(65%), sepsis(52%), intraventricular hemorrhage(29%), pneumonia (25%) and retinopathy of prematurity(24%). Need for resuscitation, pulmonary hemorrhage, seizures, acute renal failure, sclerema and air leak syndromes were significantly associated with mortality. Sepsis accounted for 41% of all deaths while immaturity was the second most important cause, accounting for 24% deaths. The average length of stay for survivors was 49 days (SD +/- 15.9 days)

Polycythemia in the newborn.

Polycythemia is defined as a venous hematocrit above 65%. The relationship between viscosity and hematocrit is almost linear till 65% and exponential thereafter. Increased viscosity of blood is associated with symptoms of hypo-perfusion. The hematocrit in a newborn peaks at 2 hours of age and decreases gradually after that. The etiology of polycythemia is related either to intra-uterine hypoxia or secondary to fetal transfusion. Clinical features related to hyperviscosity may affect all organ systems and this entity should be screened for in high-risk infants. Polycythemia maybe symptomatic or asymptomatic and guidelines for management of both types are provided in the protocol.