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ABSTRACT Purpose To address the need for a standardized assessment tool for assessing cognitive-communication abilities among Indian preschoolers, the current study aimed at describing a Delphi based development and validation process for developing one such tool. The objectives of the research were to conceptualize and construct the tool, validate its content, and assess its feasibility through pilot testing. Methods The study followed a Delphi approach to develop and validate the tool across four phases i.e. conceptualization; construction; content validation; and pilot testing. The first three phases were performed with a panel of six experts including speech-language pathologists and preschool teachers while the pilot testing was done with 20 typically developing preschoolers. A literature review was also conducted with the Delphi rounds to support the developmental process. Results The first two rounds of the Delphi aided in the construction of a culturally and linguistically suitable story-based cognitive-communication assessment tool with the memory (free recall, recognition, and literary recall) and executive function (reasoning, inhibition, and switching) related tasks relevant for preschoolers. The content validation of the tool was continued with the experts till the revisions were satisfactory and yielded an optimum Content Validity Index. The pilot test of the finalized version confirmed its feasibility and appropriateness to assess developmental changes in the cognitive-communication abilities of preschoolers. Conclusion The study describes the Delphi-based conceptualization, construction, content validation, and feasibility check of a tool to assess cognitive-communication skills in preschool children.
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Abstract Background and aims: Dexamethasone as adjunct to local anesthetic solution improves the quality of brachial plexus block (BPB). However, evidence for its efficacy at low doses (< 4 mg) is lacking. This study was designed to evaluate the duration of analgesia attained with low dose dexamethasone as adjuvant to local anesthetic for creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) under BPB. Methods: Sixty-six patients scheduled for AVF creation were randomly allocated to receive either saline (control) or 2 mg dexamethasone, together with 0.5% ropivacaine and 0.2% lignocaine. The primary outcome was duration of analgesia, defined as time from performing the block to the first analgesic request. The secondary outcomes were time from injection to complete sensory block, time from injection to complete motor block, duration of motor block, postoperative analgesic consumption, and fistula patency at three months. Results: All the blocks were effective. In the group that received dexamethasone, the time to first analgesic request was significantly delayed (432 ± 43.8 minutes vs. 386.4 ± 40.2 minutes; p < 0.01). The onset of sensory and motor blockade occurred faster in dexamethasone group and overall analgesic consumption was also reduced. However, dexamethasone addition did not prolong the duration of motor block. There was no statistically significant difference in the patency of fistulas between the two groups at three months. (p = 0.34). Conclusion: Addition of low-dose perineural dexamethasone to local anesthetic solution significantly prolonged the duration of analgesia. Further trials are warranted to compare the adverse effects between dexamethasone doses of 4 mg and lower.
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Humans , Arteriovenous Fistula , Brachial Plexus Block , Kidney Failure, Chronic , Pain, Postoperative , Dexamethasone , Analgesics , Anesthetics, LocalABSTRACT
Introduction: Tattoo-associated complications are on the rise due to the popularity of decorative tattoos in recent years. The exact pathogeneses of various tattoo reaction patterns are still unclear, and their dermoscopic details are sparsely reported. Aim: We aimed to retrospectively study the clinical, dermoscopic and immunopathological details of patients with non-infectious, non-eczematous inflammatory tattoo reaction patterns in a tertiary care centre of East India. Method: The clinical, dermoscopic and pathological details of all the patients who had non-infectious, non-eczematous inflammatory tattoo reactions were collected. In all the cases, immunohistochemistry was done for CD1a, CD3, CD4, CD8, FoxP3, CD20 and CD56. Results: A total of five patients of skin phototypes IV and V and six tattoo reactions were analysed. Five lesions had reactions at the site of a black tattoo, and one at the site of red tattoo. Clinically, the patients presented with erythematous or blue-grey flat-topped to verrucous papules and plaques. Dermoscopic features were dominated by a central white to pink-white structureless area, a peripheral grey-white to bluish-white structureless area, white scales, comedo-like opening with keratotic plugging, milia-like cysts and shiny white structures. Pathologically, except for one lesion that only showed a lichenoid reaction pattern in the red tattoo, all had a combination of reaction patterns. Immunohistochemistry showed increased epidermal and dermal Langerhans cells, predominantly CD8 positive T cells in the epidermis and dermis, sparse dermal B cells and CD4 positive T cells, reduced T regulatory cells and a complete absence of CD56 positive NK cells. Limitations: Small sample size was the limitation of the study. Conclusion: The clinical morphology and dermoscopy may not differentiate between various types of non-infectious non-eczematous inflammatory tattoo reactions. The immunological profile supports a delayed hypersensitivity reaction due to contact sensitisation to tattoo pigment, and CD8 positive T cells play a central role in executing various pathological reaction patterns, both in the epidermis and dermis
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Purpose: To assess the agreement between the diagnosis made by trained technicians at vision centers (VC) and oculoplasty specialists at the base hospital, in patients referred from VC to the orbit and oculoplasty clinic of a tertiary eye care hospital in south India. Methods: This was a retrospective study that compared the findings of VC technicians and the specialists of the orbit and oculoplasty services in a base hospital. A total of 384 patients referred from 17 VCs between May 2021 and May 2022 were included. The diseases were categorized according to the site of involvement as diseases of the eyelids (43%), diseases of the lacrimal system (37.3%), orbital diseases (15.6), and others (4.1%). The mean age of the patients was 35.9 years and 50.6% were females. Medical records of all referred patients who attended the orbit clinic were analyzed. Results: Of the 384 patients, 378 (98.67%) were confirmed to have orbital and adnexal diseases. There was an overall 80% agreement between the diagnosis made by trained VC technicians and oculoplasty specialists; the kappa coefficient was 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76 to 0.80), with a P value < 0.001. The agreement was the highest for diseases of the lacrimal system (90.9%, kappa coefficient 0.87), followed by eyelid pathologies (80%, kappa coefficient: 0.77). Of these, 54.8% of patients were managed with surgical procedures. Conclusion: There is good agreement between the findings of VC technicians and oculoplasty specialists. Trained technicians can help in the early detection and referral to higher centers. They also help to make sure adherence to treatment and periodic evaluation, especially in resource?constraint settings.
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Background: Literature on Post mastectomy pain in the Indian population is scarce. Most literature is from the West. The current study aimed to identify the incidence of post?mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS), pain severity, and its impact on quality of life in Indian patients. Method: Prospective observational study of 120 women undergoing mastectomy between March and December 2017, followed until 6 months after surgery. The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire and the quality of life questionnaire (QLQ) by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and known as (EORTC?QLQ 30) were used to identify the impact on function and quality of life. Results: A 35.8% PMPS incidence was identified at 6 months after mastectomy. Pain was located in the anterior chest wall (41.8%), axilla (32.6%), and medial upper arm (25.6%). Most (48.8%) patients described it as dull aching and of mild intensity (55.8%). No significant association of age, BMI, surgery, Intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) dissection, postoperative pain severity, pain history {dysmenorrhea, headache}, and postoperative radiotherapy with PMPS was found. Pain interfered with daily activities and quality of life in those with PMPS, as deduced from BPI and EORTC?QLQ. Conclusion: PMPS is very much a problem affecting the quality of life in our set of patients. Most women tried to cope and accept the pain as part of the treatment process. This shows the need for creating awareness about PMPS among healthcare providers and patients alike. Early identification and treatment of post mastectomy pain should be an essential aspect of patient care
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Introduction:Aprobiotic used as an adjunct in Salmonella typhi infection along with antibiotic is postulated to interfere with the virulence and growth of Salmonella. To determine the effectiveness of Lactobacillus rhamnosusGG (LGG), as an adjunct with intravenous ceftriaxone, compared with a placebo in defervescence and toxemia resolution in children with enteric fever. Settings and Design: This hospital‑based randomized double‑blinded controlled trial was conducted among 56 study participants who were children below the age of 12 years, admitted as inpatients with fever and whose blood culture grew S. typhi. Materials and Methods: Study participants were equally allocated into intervention or control group by simple randomization. The intervention group received injection ceftriaxone and oral LGG (probiotic) for 7 days while the control group received an injection ceftriaxone and oral placebo for 7 days. Statistical Analysis: Kaplan–Meier curves and mantel cox log‑rank test were used to compare the duration for defervescence and toxemia resolution after treatment initiation. Results: Mean duration for defervescence in the intervention and control groups was 3.87 (1.57) days and 3.35 (1.19) days, respectively. The mean time taken for the resolution of toxemia was 3.00 (1.15) days in the intervention group and 2.64 (0.87) days in the control group. Conclusions:The addition of oral LGG at a dose of 3 × 109 colony‑forming units for 7 days to the standard antibiotic therapy for enteric fever did not show a significant reduction in the time taken for defervescence (P = 0.099) or resolution of toxemia (P = 0.148)
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Purpose: To find out parents’ knowledge, attitude, and treatment practice (KAP) toward pediatric eye problems and to assess the effect of demographic factors such as gender, age, educational status, and number of children on KAP. Methods: A cross?sectional descriptive study was conducted in a hospital setting. Two hundred parents were randomly selected for the questionnaire. All parents had children who were included in Systematic Pediatric Eye Care Through Sibling Screening Strategies (SPECSSS) study. A survey with 15 questions on KAP of pediatric eye diseases was prepared and administered to parents coming to a tertiary eye hospital with varied experience and education qualifications. Results: The mean age of 200 patients was 9.6 (3.4) years, with the majority of them male (n = 110; 55.0%). The majority of the children (n = 91, 45.5%) were between the age group of 6–10 years. Knowledge of visual problems among parents was of a good grade in 9% only. The attitude of the parents toward the visual problem was positive at 17%, and the responses regarding the practice were of excellent grade at 46.5% and good at 26.5%. Analysis suggests that the level of knowledge and practice were not significantly associated with the demographic factors (p > 0.05). The positive attitude toward the visual problems of the children was associated with education of the parents (p < 0.05) and the father occupation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge about pediatric eye diseases was poor among parents and it was significantly affected by education and occupation of parents. The parents have positive attitude toward enhancing their attitude in treatment.
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Purpose: To investigate the change in ocular parameters of anisomyopic children treated with 0.01% atropine. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the data of anisomyopic children who underwent comprehensive examination at a tertiary eye center in India. Anisomyopic subjects (difference of ?1.00 D) of age 6–12 years who were treated with 0.01% atropine or prescribed regular single vision spectacle and had follow?ups of more than 1 year were included. Results: Data from 52 subjects were included. No difference was observed in the mean rate of change of spherical equivalent (SE) of more myopic eyes between 0.01% atropine (?0.56 D; 95% confidence interval [CI]: ?0.82, ?0.30) and single vision lens wearers (?0.59 D; 95% CI: ?0.80, ?0.37; P = 0.88). Similarly, insignificant change in the mean SE of less myopic eyes was noted between the groups (0.01% atropine group, ?0.62 D; 95% CI: ?0.88, ?0.36 vs. single vision spectacle wearer group, ?0.76 D; 95% CI: ?1.00, ?0.52; P = 0.43). None of the ocular biometric parameters showed any difference between the two groups. Though anisomyopic cohort treated with 0.01% atropine revealed a significant correlation between the rate of change of mean SE and axial length in both eyes (more myopic eyes, r = ?0.58; P = 0.001 and less myopic eyes, r = ?0.82; P < 0.001) compared to single vision spectacle wearer group, the change was not significant. Conclusion: Administration of 0.01% atropine had minimal effect on reducing the rate of myopia progression in anisomyopic eyes.
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Background: Ventriculo -peritoneal [VP] shunt is the most commonly used cerebrospinal ?uid (CSF) diversion procedure for the management of hydrocephalus. However, when the absorption of CSF from the peritoneum is defective, it results in abdominal distension with CSF ascites. In such cases, an alternate diversion procedure - the ventriculo-atrial [VA] shunt – may be performed. However, this procedure is also associated with several perioperative problems like arrhythmias, air embolism and infection. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 40 cases on the perioperative concerns of VA shunt procedures, performed in our institute, was done. Indication of the shunt, preoperative status & work -up, intraoperative adverse events & management and immediate post-operative complications were assessed. Out of the 40 patients, there were 25 male Results: s and 15 females and there were a total of 12 paediatric patients. Blocked shunt, abdominal infection and CSF ascites were common indications for VA shunt. All patients received general endotracheal anaesthesia with preoperative hypovolemia correction. Intraoperative tachycardia and arrhythmia were noted. Various Conclusion : preoperative concerns like distended abdomen and compromised respiration increase risk of VA shunt procedures. A better understanding of the underlying disease pathology and anticipation of related complications along with cautious and meticulous management can help prevent most of the complications of VA shunt procedure and thereby improve outcome
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Purpose: Dry eye is a common condition affecting people worldwide. It causes ocular discomfort by reducing the quality of vision and impacts daily activities. To overcome such ocular discomfort, artificial tears are used but it is difficult to use artificial tears every time to protect eyes from dryness. There is a need to explore other treatment options, which can be used during work hours. The aim was to study the effect of salivary stimulation on tear film functions among dry eye subjects. Methods: Thirty?three subjects were enrolled in this prospective experimental study. Tear film function tests such as tear break up time (TBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), and Schirmer’s I and II tests were conducted. For dry eye subjects, salivation was induced by giving a tamarind candy (a soft slightly sour tamarind pulp mixed with sugar) for 5 min. Tear film function tests were carried out within a few seconds (2 to 3 s) after finishing the candy and then after 30 and 60 min of the induction of salivation. The pre? and post?tear film function measurements were recorded and analyzed. Results: TBUT, TMH, and Schirmer’s II tests showed statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase immediately and after 30 min of stimulation of salivation for all tests in both eyes. However, the difference was insignificant after 60 min of stimulation of salivation. Schirmer’s I showed statistically significant changes in the left eye, but not in the right eye immediately after stimulation of salivation (P = 0.025). Conclusion: The quantity as well as the quality of tear film improved after the stimulation of salivation among dry eye subjects.
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Purpose: This study aimed to assess and compare the changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in nondiabetics and diabetics with various stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: The study subjects were divided into four groups based on their diabetic status and findings, namely, controls (normal subjects without diabetes [NDM]), diabetics without retinopathy (NDR), nonproliferative DR (NPDR), and proliferative DR (PDR). Peripapillary RNFL thickness was assessed using optical coherence tomography. One?way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the post?Tukey HSD test was done to compare RNFL thickness in different groups. The Pearson coefficient was used to determine the correlation. Results: There was statistically significant difference in measured average RNFL (F = 14.8000, P < 0.05), superior RNFL (F = 11.7768, P < 0.05), inferior RNFL (F = 12.9639, P < 0.05), nasal RNFL (F = 12.2134, P < 0.05), and temporal RNFL (F = 4.2668, P < 0.05) across the different study groups. Pairwise comparison showed that there was a statistically significant difference in RNFL measured (average and all quadrants) in patients with DR (NPDR and PDR) and the NDM control group (P < 0.05). In diabetics without retinopathy, the RNFL measured was reduced compared to controls, but it was statistically significant only in the superior quadrant (P < 0.05). Average RNFL and RNFL in all quadrants showed a small negative correlation with the severity of DR and it was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In our study, peripapillary RNFL thickness was reduced in diabetic retinopathy compared to normal controls and the thinning increased with the severity of DR. This was evident in the superior quadrant even before the fundus signs of DR set in
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Purpose: Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG) is often associated with a higher rate of intraoperative complications and failure. This study aims to compare the long?term clinical and surgical outcomes of cataract surgery alone versus combined surgery in XFG. This was a retrospective comparative case series. Methods: All patients with XFG who underwent either cataract surgery alone [group 1: either phacoemulsification, PHACO/small?incision cataract surgery (SICS), n = 35] or combined surgery (group 2: phacotrabeculectomy, PHACOT or SICS + trabeculectomy, n = 46) from 2013 to 2018 by a single trained surgeon were screened and recalled for a detailed clinical examination, including Humphrey visual field analysis at 3?monthly intervals for a minimum of 3 years. Surgical success (intraocular pressure, IOP, <21 mm Hg and >6 mm Hg with (qualified success) or without medicines, complete success, survival rates, visual field changes, and need for additional procedures/medicines for IOP control were compared between groups. Results: A total of 81 eyes of 68 patients with XFG were included in this study (groups 1–35 eyes and groups 2–46 eyes each). Both groups achieved 27–40% IOP reduction from preoperative IOP levels, P < 0.001. Surgical success rates were similar in both groups (complete success 66% vs 55%, P = 0.4), qualified success 17% vs 24%, P = 0.8, in groups 1 and 2). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a marginally better survival rate for group 1, 75% (55–87%), than group 2, 66% (50–78%), at 3 and 5 years which was not significantly different. The number of eyes that progressed at 5 years after surgery (5–6%) was similar in both groups. Conclusion: Cataract surgery can be as effective as combined surgery in XFG eyes with regards to final visual acuity, long?term IOP profile, and visual field progression, and complications/survival rates are comparable between the two procedures.
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Background and Objective: Menopause is a normal developmental stage in a woman’s life marking the permanent cessation of menstruation. Calcium is predominant in intracellular signalling and its intracellular increase can affect the cell’s proliferation, phagocytosis and cytokine secretion. IL?8 expression in various cells such as neutrophils and osteoblasts was reported to involve a calcium signalling pathway. Well?known functions of IL?8 includes help in angiogenesis, role in tumour progression, tissue remodelling, etc., Hence, the aim of this study was to establish the relationship between calcium?dependent IL?8 and periodontal disease in postmenopausal females. Method: The study population included 52 postmenopausal women aged 45–57 years. The patients were divided into two groups in which group I included postmenopausal women without periodontitis and group II with periodontitis. Unstimulated salivary samples were collected from all the participants to evaluate IL?8 and calcium levels. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in salivary IL?8 levels between the two groups (P < 0.001), but there was no statistical difference in salivary calcium levels between the two groups (P = 0.730). A weak negative correlation between salivary IL?8 and calcium was found in group I, while a weak positive correlation was found between the same in group II. Conclusion: Analysis of salivary IL?8 from the present study was in accordance with several previous studies. It can be concluded that saliva can also be used as a reliable oral diagnostic fluid for IL?8 and calcium detection in periodontitis.
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Purpose: The past few years have been difficult in the lives of most glaucoma patients in view of the COVID?19 pandemic. Our aim was to find out patients’ perspective and disruption of their quality of life during the COVID?19 pandemic by conducting a telephone survey among glaucoma patients. Methods: This was a cross?sectional study involving the glaucoma patients of a tertiary eye care hospital in India. Patients who had completed at least five years of follow?up before 2020 were randomized by a random number generator. A validated (forward–backward translation and completed pilot analysis) set of 14 questionnaires was administered to the patients, the latter of whom were telephonically interviewed by one of the investigators in February 2022. The entire data was audio?recorded. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used. Results: Out of 1141 patients with >5 years of follow?up, 103 were selected by randomization. A large group of 46 patients (44.6%) admitted to glaucoma affecting their daily activities. Only 12 (11.6%) admitted to being irregular with their drops. Thirty?four (33%) patients felt that their glaucoma was deteriorating and 31 (30.1%) had fear of blindness. Ninety?five patients (92.7%) felt that they were safe under the care of the treating doctor. There were 46 (44.6%) out of 103 patients who did not turn up for follow?up for six months or more. Lockdown (36.2%) and travel?expenses (27.6%) were the two most common reasons for the loss to follow?up visits. Conclusion: Nearly half of the long?term glaucoma patients were lost to follow?up during the COVID?19 pandemic. Glaucoma affecting daily lives and fear of losing vision turned out to be significant observations in the telephone survey. This fear seemed to be ameliorated by the majority still feeling safe by being in touch with their doctor for continued care even during the COVID?19 pandemic.
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Heart failure (HF) is a huge global public health task due to morbidity, mortality, disturbed quality of life, and major economic burden. It is an area of active research and newer treatment strategies are evolving. Recently angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), a class of drugs (the first agent in this class, Sacubitril–Valsartan), reduces cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in chronic HF patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Positive therapeutic effects have led to a decrease in cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalizations (HFH), with a favorable safety profile, and have been documented in several clinical studies with an unquestionable survival benefit with ARNI, Sacubitril–Valsartan. This consensus statement of the Indian group of experts in cardiology, nephrology, and diabetes provides a comprehensive review of the power and promise of ARNI in HF management and an evidence-based appraisal of the use of ARNI as an essential treatment strategy for HF patients in clinical practice. Consensus in this review favors an early utility of Sacubitril–Valsartan in patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), regardless of the previous therapy being given. A lower rate of hospitalizations for HF with Sacubitril–Valsartan in HF patients with preserved EF who are phenotypically heterogeneous suggests possible benefits of ARNI in patients having 40–50% of LVEF, frequent subtle systolic dysfunction, and higher hospitalization risk.
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Purpose: To obtain epidemiological data on children with ocular morbidity attending a nodal district early intervention center (DEIC). Methods: After parental consent, we recruited children with ocular morbidity. After detailed history and clinical evaluation, along with pediatric consultation and relevant neuro?radiological and ancillary investigation, information was entered in a pretested proforma: especially looking for perinatal morbidity, including developmental delay (DD). Visual acuity (VA) was assessed by age?appropriate means by an ophthalmic assistant trained to work with children with special needs. We diligently looked for strabismus and performed dilated ophthalmoscopy. Using JASP, we summarized data as means and proportions and reported 95% CIs. We explored the association of disability percentage with possible predictor variables using regression. Results: We enrolled 320 children, with a mean age of 34.43 ± 31.35 months; two?thirds were male; one?third belonged to lower socioeconomic status (36%), with most parents being illiterate. The mean presenting VA was 1.8 logMAR for both eyes, range: 0 to 3. Sixty?one percent were hyperopic and 27% were myopic. High refractive error, (>±6D) occurred in nine; anisometropia in one; strabismus in 149, mostly esotropia; congenital cataract in 25, whereas 63 had abnormal fundus. Seventy?six received a diagnosis of cerebral visual impairment (CVI). On multivariate linear regression (MLR), younger age, presence of DD, and CVI significantly predicted a higher disability percentage. Logistic regression revealed that statutory disability is likely associated with DD (odds ratio [OR]:13.43); whereas older age was protective (OR: 0.977). Conclusion: Our study suggests that in DEIC children with ocular morbidity, younger children, and the presence of DD significantly predict both greater disability and the likelihood of statutory levels
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Psychiatric disorders remain one of the most debilitating conditions; however, most patients are never diagnosed and do not seek treatment. Despite its massive burden on modern society and the health system, many hurdles prevent proper diagnosis and management of these disorders. The diagnosis is primarily based on clinical symptoms, and efforts to find appropriate biomarkers have not been practical. Through the past years, researchers have put a tremendous effort into finding biomarkers in “omics” fields: genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics. This article reviews the evolving field of radiomics and its role in diagnosing psychiatric disorders as the sixth potential “omics.” The first section of this paper elaborates on the definition of radiomics and its potential to provide a detailed structural study of the brain. Following that, we have provided the latest promising results of this novel approach in a broad range of psychiatric disorders. Radiomics fits well within the concept of psychoradiology. Besides volumetric analysis, radiomics takes advantage of many other features. This technique may open a new field in psychiatry for diagnosing and classifying psychiatric disorders and treatment response prediction in the era of precision and personalized medicine. The initial results are encouraging, but radiomics in psychiatry is still in its infancy. Despite the extensive burden of psychiatric disorders, there are very few published studies in this field, with small patient populations. The lack of prospective multi-centric studies and heterogeneity of studies in design are the significant barriers against the clinical adaptation of radiomics in psychoradiology.
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Introduction: Challenges faced by the primary caregivers during the COVID‑19 pandemic help to identify their needs and health seeking behavior during pandemic. Objectives: (1) To describe the factors associated with periodic follow‑up at the hospital which posed as difficulties to their primary caregivers during the COVID‑19 pandemic. (2) To identify the measures adopted by these primary caregivers to overcome those difficulties. MaterialsandMethods: This hospital‑based cross‑sectional observational study was conducted from May to August 2021 among 57 primary caregivers of children with chronic diseases registered before March 1, 2020, who were under periodic follow‑up in our pediatrics department. Data were collected by direct or telephonic interview using a predesigned semi‑structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics like mean, standard deviation, proportions and paired “t”‑test using Epi info and IBM SPSS trial version 28.0. Results: Frequency of hospital visits of 14 (24.6%) subjects were reduced during the COVID pandemic compared to the prepandemic period. During the COVID pandemic, 42 (73.7%) subjects had faced transportation difficulties, 23 (40.3%) had faced financial difficulties, 22 (38.6%) had skipped their scheduled follow‑up visits and around 31.6% of them have feared of contracting COVID. None had availed telemedicine consultation for their children either before or during the pandemic. Conclusions: Difficulties faced in transportation, fear of contracting COVID, financial difficulties, and lack of awareness of teleconsultation services were identified as their major obstacles.