ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess parental awareness regarding common childhood injuries and to focus on preventive issues. METHODS: Two hundred parents of children each grouped into 2 attending OPD of government hospital and private clinic respectively were enrolled, interviewed and responses analyzed. RESULTS: The commonest potential mode of injuries identified in both groups was falls (53% vs 84%). None of the households in group 1 and less than 2/3rd in group 2 had provision of restraints at stairs. Awareness was found to be greater in the group with higher educational background and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: Awareness regarding common childhood injuries and their prevention was lacking. There was a felt need that the pediatricians must counsel the parents on this aspect during visits. Since the sample size is small, a larger community based study is needed.
Subject(s)
Adult , Child, Preschool , Educational Status , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , India/epidemiology , Parents/psychology , Socioeconomic Factors , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The present study was designed to ascertain the maternal and neonatal profile and immediate outcome of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) babies at a Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Case records of ELBW inborn babies delivered between August 2000 and August 2001 were analyzed by using a preset proforma. A total of 52 ELBW babies were admitted in NICU in the relevant period, out of which 30 (57%) survived. Maternal anemia and previous pre-term (PT) delivery were the common predisposing factors for PT delivery. Mean gestational age was 27.8 weeks and mean birth weight was 831 grams. Mortality was highest in babies less than 28 weeks gestation. Neonatal hyper-bilirubinemia (78%) and HMD/RDS (65%) were the commonest morbidity. Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening could be done in 35 babies (68%), out of which 22 were found to be normal.
Subject(s)
Cause of Death , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , India/epidemiology , Infant Mortality , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature , Infant, Small for Gestational Age , Infant, Very Low Birth Weight , Intensive Care, Neonatal/statistics & numerical data , Male , Morbidity , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Prenatal Care/statistics & numerical data , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sex Distribution , Steroids/therapeutic use , Survival RateABSTRACT
The present study was designed to assess the accuracy of tympanic membrane temperature (TMT) in predicting "core" body temperature and to compare rectal temperature (RT) and TMT in febrile pediatric patients with and without meningitis. Sixty children diagnosed as having meningitis by cerebro-spinal fluid (CDF) analysis formed the cases and 60 non-meningitic febrile patients, chosen as continuous enrollment, formed the controls. Rectal and ear temperatures were assessed in both groups. Ear temperature was significantly higher in cases as compared to controls. The difference between reading of ear temperature and rectal temperature was also significantly higher in cases as compared to controls. Significant correlations were seen between ear temperature and various parameters of CSF profile.
Subject(s)
Body Temperature , Humans , Infant , Meningitis/physiopathology , Rectum , Sensitivity and Specificity , Tympanic MembraneABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare tympanic membrane temperature and rectal temperature in febrile pediatric patients. METHODS: Sixty febrile children were enrolled as continuous enrollment at initial triage. Two readings of ear temperature were taken in each child with Thermoscan infrared thermometer. Rectal temperature was recorded by a digital electronic thermometer. Comparison of both the techniques was done and co-relation co-efficients calculated. Parental preference for both techniques was assessed. RESULTS: It was observed that mean ear temperature was 38.9+/-0.90 C and that for rectal temperature was 38.8+/-0.80 degrees C. The correlation coefficient between the two was 0.994 (p < 0.01). Coefficients for both sites were comparable over a wide age range. The difference between readings taken from two ears was not significant. Temperature ranges over which readings were recorded were quite wide for both techniques. Parental preference for tympanic thermometry over rectal thermometry was noticed. Tympanic thermometry utilizes pyro-electric sensors, to detect infra-red rays emitted from the surface of tympanic membrane. Ear temperatures correlates well with rectal temperatures which have long been considered as "core" temperatures. Parents prefer the technique of ear thermometry which is quick (2 sec), safe and non-invasive and patient resistance for this is also less. CONCLUSION: A non-invasive, non-mucous device which is accurate over a wide range of temperature could be very useful.