Comparative study on growth, yield and carbon content in Pongamia pinnata under water stress and urea supplementation.

The growth, yield, and carbon content of eight-month old seedlings of Pongamia pinnata were compared under water and urea supplementation. One set of plants were subjected to water stress condition (WS), whereas the other supplied with 2 g of urea (WS+U) under WS. Both the experimental set ups were exposed to varying treatment levels which include full irrigation (100%, control) followed by 75 % (T1), 50 % (T2), 25 % (T3) and 12.5 % (T4). The growth, leaf area and relative water content were maximum under WS when compared to WS+U (p<0.001). The maximum biomass was produced in the seedlings under WS in control (1.68 g) followed by T1 (1.38 g), T2 (1.53 g), T3 (0.93 g) and T4 (0.73 g). A significant (p<0.001) reduction in biomass production was observed in WS+U in control (1.28 g), T1 (0.66 g), T2 (1.13 g) and T3 (0.44 g). T4 of WS+U showed similar biomass (0.73 g) as that of T4 of WS. Under WS, the highest biomass allocation was recorded in shoots followed by leaves and roots. Similar trend was observed in WS+U. However, the percentage of allocation was more in the roots of WS+U (27.2 %) when compared to WS (22.24 %). The highest amount of carbon content was observed in control plants treated under WS (9.59 g) followed by control plants of WS+U (7.31 g) (p<0.001). The results of the preliminary study clearly indicated that P. pinnata seedlings were able to cope-up with water stress conditions without urea application and can perform well in 50 % water availability and is best suited for the plantation programs in the semi-arid ecosystems.

Thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome.

Thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome (TRMA) is a clinical triad characterized by thiamine-responsive anemia, diabetes mellitus and sensorineural deafness. We report a 4-year-old girl with TRMA whose anemia improved following administration of thiamine and this case report sensitizes the early diagnosis and treatment with thiamine in children presenting with anemia, diabetes and deafness.

Psychosocial problems in families of children with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of diagnosis of cancer on the parents, to study the coping response adopted by the child and the family and to evolve counseling strategies. METHODS: Prospective questionnaire based. Thirty-four parents of children suffering from cancer were included, of which 15 belonged to joint families and 19 to nuclear families. RESULTS: The family support played an important role in giving emotional sustenance, besides shared care of the child, the sibling and the household. Emotional and psychological impact was maximum on the mothers. Siblings of the cancer child were also affected both by way of behaviour problems and school performance. Behaviour problems in the cancer child included temper tantrums, as also verbal and physical abuse of mothers. Group therapy was useful for sharing emotional trauma and exchanging day to day problems of childcare. Positive outlook helped in better care of the cancer child. CONCLUSION: The family structure was the foundation for emotional and psychological security. Psychological support by professional tumour support group would enhance this.

Crohn's disease presenting as palatal ulcer.

Crohn's disease (CD) in children younger than 5 years of age is termed as early onset inflammatory bowel disease (EO-IBD). We report a 4 yr 6 mo-old child with EO-IBD, who presented with palatal ulcer, an extra intestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease as the dominant feature.

Benign acute childhood myositis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and laboratory features of benign acute childhood myositis. METHODS: 40 children of BACM were seen during October 2001 to February 2002, 22 (52%) were male with mean age of 5.3 years. Duration of illness was 3.97 days. Preceding symptoms included fever, leg pain, vomiting and inability to walk. A provisional diagnosis of viral myositis was made in 26 (66%). Guillian Barre Syndrome was the most common referral diagnosis. RESULTS: 11 (27.5%) children had leucopenia with lymphocytic response and 16 (40%) had thrombocytopenia. CRP was negative in 32 (80%). CPK was markedly elevated (more than 1000 IU/l) in 18 (45%) and more than 500 IU/l in 11 (27.5%) remaining between 200 to 500 IU/l. Associated features were hepatitis (elevated SGOT & SGPT) in 28 (70%) and shock in 5 (12.5%).Serological test were indicative of dengue virus (Elisa PAN BIO) in 20 (50%) of which 8 (25%) were primary dengue and 12 (30%) were secondary dengue. The outcome of therapy mainly supportive were excellent. CONCLUSION: Benign acute myositis occurs often in association with viral infection. In the present study, Dengue virus was positive in 20 (50%) children. Benign acute myositis can be differentiated from more serious causes of walking difficulty by presence of calf and thigh muscle tenderness on stretching, normal power and deep tendon reflex and elevated CPK.

Risk factors for recurrence of febrile convulsions.

A cohort of hundred children with febrile convulsions, in the age group of 3 months to 5 years were followed up prospectively for one year to study the natural course of the illness, and to determine if specific factors would increase the risk of recurrence of febrile convulsions. The risk factors studied were age of onset under one year, long duration of convulsion (more than 15 minutes), family history of febrile convulsion or epilepsy and combination of two or all of the above factors. Four groups of children with different risk factors were followed up for recurrence of convulsion, after the first attack. A group of children without any risk factor was considered as control and they were also followed up for recurrence of convulsions. Though all the groups with the risk factors, showed a trend towards a higher recurrence rate when compared to controls, the difference observed clinically was not significant statistically. This could be due to the small sample size of each group. A larger study could throw light on the predictive value of these risk factors and narrow down the use of long term anticonvulsant prophylaxis.