Bacterial Colonization of Home Nebulizers Used by Children With Recurrent Wheeze

Objective: To look for bacterial colonization of parts of home nebulizers used for children with recurrent wheeze and asthma. Methods: Children aged 1 mo-12 y, using home nebulizers for recurrent cough and wheeze were enrolled from May to October, 2019. Caregivers were administered a structured questionnaire by a single researcher, during their hospital visit, to elicit information on their nebulizer cleaning practices. Samples were taken from nebulizer medicine chamber and tubing for bacterial culture and sensitivity. Results: Bacterial growth was observed in 17 culture samples obtained from medicine chamber and/or tubing of nebulizers used by 12 (20.3%) out of the 59 enrolled children. The bacteria isolated were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus (Methicillin resistant S. aureus and Coagulase negative staphylococci) and these were resistant to many of the commonly used antimicrobials. Almost 20% parents had never cleaned the nebulizers. Diluent re-use was significantly associated with bacterial colonization of nebulizer parts [AOR (95% CI) 20.6 (2.26-188.5); P=0.007]. Conclusion: Home nebulizers, if not cleaned properly as per set protocols, may get colonized with potentially harmful bacteria. There is a need to increase awareness about their proper use amongst parents of children with recurrent wheeze.

Hospital-based Surveillance of Rotavirus Diarrhea among Under- five Children in Chandigarh.

In a prospective hospital-based surveillance of 958 under five children admitted with acute gastroenteritis in Chandigarh (May 2011 to July 2012), 239 stool samples were collected. Rotavirus antigen was detected in 18.8% of samples by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Genotypes G1P[8] (53.3%), G12P[6] (15.6%) were prevalent, and G3 not detected.

Bacteriological Profile of Neonatal Sepsis in a Tertiary-care Hospital of Northern India.

With an objective to study the bacteriological profile of neonatal sepsis a retrospective study was conducted in the neonatal unit of a referral teaching hospital in Northern India. Among neonates born over 5-year period (n=22363) incidence of culture-positive sepsis was 7.5/1000 live births (7.5%). Staphylococcus aureus (47.3%), Klebsiella pneumonia (14.9%) and Acinetobacter (14.9%) were most common organisms isolated. Sensitivity pattern of isolated organisms is presented.

Modifiable Factors for Prevention of Childhood Mortality.

Objective: To know the disease-related causes of child mortality and identify socially modifiable factors affecting child mortality among hospitalized children aged >1 month-18 years in a referral hospital of North India. Methods: Causes of death (ICD-10 based) were extracted retrospectively from hospital files (n=487) from 17 March 2003 to 30 June 2012. Modifiable factors were prospectively studied in 107 consecutive deaths from 6 October 2011 to 30 June 2012. Results: Pneumonia, CNS infections and diarrhea were the most common disease-related causes of child mortality. Conclusions: Amongst modifiable factors, administrative issues were most common followed by family-related reasons and medical-personnel related problems.

Use of Ketamine for Refractory Wheezing in an Infant.

Ketamine has bronchodilator properties and is used for severe bronchospasm in adults and children with asthma. Here, we report successful use of ketamine in a young infant with bronchospasm.