Child Vaccination Coverage in India and Its Impact: Evidence From NFHS-5 Factsheet

Background: In developing countries various childhood diseases lead the morbidity, mortality and irre-versible losses which can be prevented by proper vaccination. This study was conducted to analyse the changing trends of childhood vaccination in India and its impact on childhood diseases and mortality, the trends in coverage of each vaccine along with identification of geographical areas of concern.Materials and methods: NFHS data published by Government of India was analyzed to see the trends in vaccination coverage, female literacy, childhood diseases and under-five mortality, along with online da-tabase search for relevant literature. Results: Total vaccination coverage in India has reached to 76.4% as per NFHS- 5 data. Orissa stands at the top with 90.5% coverage while Nagaland at the bottom with 57.9% coverage. Prevalence of child-hood diseases and under-five mortality has reduced overtime accountable to increase in vaccination coverage as one of the major factors for same. Conclusion: Despite improvement in total vaccination coverage, the goal of Intensified Mission Indra Dhanush of 90% coverage still remains unachieved. There is reduction in childhood disease and mortali-ty rate, but the pandemic has adversely affected these advances. Therefore, immediate steps should be taken to gain the lost ground.

Adrenal tumors: An experience of 10 years in a single surgical unit.

INTRODUCTION: Most of the adrenal masses are discovered incidentally by imaging techniques for reasons unrelated to adrenal diseases. Treatment is based on various factors such as, nature of adrenal mass, age of presentation, size of tumor, and the functional status of tumor. We report a series of 14 consecutive cases of adrenal tumors treated in a single surgical unit in our hospital. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical profile and outcome of treatment of adrenal tumors treated in a surgical unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a retrospective study data of 14 cases of adrenal tumors treated in a single surgical unit in University Hospital over 10 years have been analyzed. Various parameters such as gender, age, size of tumor, functional status, histopathology, type of management, and outcome have been reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients with adrenal masses were seen over a 10 year period (1997‑2006). All were referred cases, either from endocrinology or medicine wards. There were seven female and seven male patients. Mean age of patients was 48.6 years (range 14‑60 years). Mean size of tumor was 8.0 cm (5.9 cm for benign tumors and 9.7 cm for malignant tumors). There were six cases of adrenal carcinoma, four cases of adrenal myelolipoma, two cases of pheochromocytoma, and one each case of adrenal hyperplasia and histoplasmosis. There were only two functional tumors. All, except two malignant cases were treated operatively. A total of 5 year survival was 100% in benign cases and 27% in malignant tumors. CONCLUSION: Adrenal tumors need to be assessed for their functional status and malignant potential prior to treatment. Surgical excision is usually curative for benign lesion. Among malignant tumors the benefits of surgery depend on local extent and metastatic status of tumors.

Variables affecting the performance of galactomannan assay in high-risk patients at a Tertiary Care Centre in India.

Background: Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised patients using galactomannan ELISA (GM-ELISA) has shown variable sensitivity and specificity. Objectives: To assess the diagnostic performance of GM-ELISA and analyze the effect of decreasing the cut off value, neutropenia, antifungals and piperacillin-tazobactam (PTZ). Prognostic value using 30 day all-cause mortality was also determined. Materials and Methods: Serum samples from 81 patients categorized into "proven," "probable," and "possible," categories based on revised EORTC/MSG definitions were tested by GM-ELISA. Results: Sensitivity of GM-ELISA in proven, probable and possible cases was 91.7%, 84.6% and 83.3% respectively. At an index cut-off value of 0.5 an increased sensitivity with minimal loss of specificity was observed. Use of antifungals demonstrated a decrease in sensitivity in proven and possible cases whereas it remained unaffected in probable category. Specificity increased from 75% to 100% with a positivity criterion of >2 consecutive samples. Although an increase in specificity was observed in patients not receiving PTZ, it was not statistically significant. Serial GM index values increased significantly in neutropenic patients and were associated with a poor prognosis. Conclusions: GM-ELISA may be a useful diagnostic and prognostic modality for the detection of IA in high risk patients.

Clinical profile of Group A meningococcal outbreak in Delhi.

We present a retrospective analysis of clinical profile of 100 children admitted to a Government hospital at Delhi between April 2005 and December 2006 with group A meningococcal infection. Maximum children presented in late winter and spring.Younger children were less affected (5% children < 1 year). Fever (86%), vomiting (64%) and rash (63%) were the most common presenting symptoms. All children presented within 5 days of onset of symptoms and 52% within 24 hours. 67 % children had meningococcal meningitis; 20% had meningococcemia; and 13% had both. Overall mortality was 17%. Altered sensorium and shock at presentation significantly increased the mortality. All culture positive cases had group A Neisseria meningitides. All meningococcal isolates were sensitive to penicillin/ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol and erythromycin except, one each resistant to ampicillin and erythromycin.

Desmoid tumors: experience of 32 cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Desmoids are infiltrative, locally destructive, soft tissue tumors. Although they do not metastasize, the incidence of local recurrence is quite high. AIM: Present study aimed at reporting the 10-year experience of 32 desmoid cases and reviewing some facts with symptoms, investigation, and treatment of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty two cases of desmoid tumors were reviewed over a 10-year span. Surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy were the treatments of choice whenever histological margins were positive. RESULTS: Multiparous women in reproductive age were the most commonly afflicted. The commonest site of presentation was the abdominal wall. Ninety one percent (20/22) were infraumbilical. The tumors were found in the rectus sheath in 14 patients (64%) and were laterally situated in 8 patients (36%). Local infiltration was found in six patients and the urinary bladder was most commonly involved (3/6). Locally recurrent desmoids were seen in eight patients (25%). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, 25% of the desmoid tumors (8/32) were recurrent and postoperative radiotherapy did not seem to influence the local recurrence rate. The most important predictor for recurrence was tumors of > 5 cm.

Oxidative stress in hypertension : Association with antihypertensive treatment.

There is growing evidence that oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Our aim was to measure oxidative stress in hypertensive subjects, and assess the potential confounding influences of antihypertensive therapy. Serum malondialdehyde and antioxidant levels were estimated in patients at the time of presentation and also after a antihypertensive therapy for 3 months. During the period of study no antioxidant/s was given to the patients and control subjects. Mean blood pressure values were altered in the hypertensive patients following antihypertensive therapy from their respective values observed at the time of presentation. Serum malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive patients in comparison to control cases. The antioxidant activity of enzymes super oxide dismutase, glutathione and non enzymatic antioxidant levels of vitamins E and C were significantly lower in patients compared to controls. After 3 months of antihypertensive treatment all the above parameters showed reversal in the respective levels of serum malondialdehyde and antioxidant activity. Antihypertensive medications lower the blood pressure and thereby results in reduced oxidative stress which indicates that oxidative stress is not the cause, but rather a consequence, of hypertension.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme status in oral carcinoma patients.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the lipid peroxidation and endogenous antioxidant enzyme status in oral carcinoma and the protective role of exogenous antioxidants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 new cases of histologically proven oral squamous cell carcinoma, 20 of leukoplakia and 20 age and sex matched healthy conrols were included. Intra oral pH of patients and controlled were measured by quantitative litmus paper test and serum was analysed for malonialdehyde (MDA), super oxide bismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GP). Patients with leukoplakia were treated with exogenous antioxidants for 3 months and the same were reassessed. RESULTS: Oral pH of oral cancer patients was neutral (PH-7) but that of leukoplakia and controls were mildly acidic (6.64 and 6.58 respectively). Serum malonialdehyde levels were highest in oral cancer group. With antioxidant enzymes super oxide bismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase different pattern was noticed. Antioxidant enzymes remained almost the same (P > 0.005 each) in patients with leukoplakia after 3 months of vitamin A,C and E. but there was marginal increase in catalase level (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows the positive benefit of vitamin (A,C,E) and nutrition supplementation on the antioxidant enzyme defense system hence prevention of oral carcinogenesis in patients with leukoplakia.

Effects of Exogenous Ethinyl Estradiol on Endometrial Receptivity in Clomiphene Induced Cycles in Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovaries

To compare the effectiveness of clomiphene citrate used alone and in combination with ethinyl estradiol on endometrial receptivity in infertile women with polycystic ovaries (PCO). Color doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of endometrial thickness (ET) and pulsatility index (PI) was done for 27 infertile women with polycystic ovaries. These women were studied for one control unmedicated cycle and randomized to receive clomiphene citrate (CC) alone and CC with ethinyl estradiol (EE) in subsequent 2 cycles. The total duration of follow up of patients was 77 months in which 2 women conceived in control cycle and 1 conceived in CC+ EE cycle. On day of HCGinjection, mean ET was 6.96 + 1.63mmin control cycle, 7.25 + 1.64mmin CC and 8.53 + 1.36mmin CC + EE cycle, whereas, the mean pulsatility index (PI) of dominant uterine arteries was 4.09 + 0.97 in control cycle, 3.96 + 0.95 in CC cycle and 3.75 + 0.98 in CC + EE cycle. On day of HCG injection, mean PI of non-dominant uterine arteries was 4.06 + 1.01 in control, 4.00 + 1.02 in CC and 3.71 + 0.95 in CC + EE cycles. A statistically significant change (p< 0.05) was observed in ET and PI of dominant and non-dominant uterine arteries in control and CC+ EE cycle and those in CC and CC+ EE cycles. Addition of ethinyl estradiol to clomiphene induced cycles produces a favorable endometrial response in infertile women with PCO.

The intriguing shadow.

In the field of radiodiagnosis shadows often raise doubts. On these depend the invasive investigative procedures which lead to the final diagnosis. The radiologist's word is often considered as the last word in labeling a lesion. The treatment protocol which follows makes a world of a difference to the patient. We report interesting cases where the patients were radiographed prior to orthodontic treatment and coincidentally we found-un believable hidden treasure! This is a modest attempt to emphasize that each shadow in a radiograph should be scrutinized. Needless to say, the keen observation and experience of the diagnostician is of penultimate importance in deciphering the abnormal from the normal.

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis.

Twelve cases of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis are reported. The clinical presentation was similar to chronic cholecystitis. All patients had associated gallstones. The diagnosis was achieved at histopathological examination of the resected gall bladders and none had any focus of malignancy. Cholecystectomy was curative.

Preoperative autologous plateletpheresis in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

Blood conservation is an important aspect of care provided to the patients undergoing cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). It is even more important in patients with anticipated prolonged CPB, redo cardiac surgery, patients having negative blood group and in patients undergoing emergency cardiac surgery. In prolonged CPB the blood is subjected to more destruction of important coagulation factors, in redo surgery the separation of adhesions leads to increased bleeding and difficulty in achieving the haemostasis and in patients with negative blood group and emergency operations, the availability of sufficient blood can be a problem. Harvesting the autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) can be a useful method of blood conservation in these patients. The above four categories of patients were prospectively studied, using either autologous whole blood donation or autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) harvest in the immediate pre-bypass period. Forty two patients were included in the study and randomly divided into two equal groups of 21 each, control group (Group I) in which one unit of whole blood was withdrawn, and PRP group (Group II) where autologous plateletpheresis was utilised. After reversal of heparin, autologous whole blood was transfused in the control group and autologous PRP was transfused in the PRP group. The chest tube drainage and the requirement of homologous blood and blood products were recorded. Average PRP harvest was 643.33 +/- 133.51 mL in PRP group and the mean whole blood donation was 333.75 +/- 79.58 mL in the control group. Demographic, preoperative and intra operative data showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. The PRP group patients drained 26.44% less (p<0.001) and required 38.5% less homologous blood and blood products (p<0.05), in the postoperative period. Haemoglobin levels on day zero (day of operation) and day three were statistically not different between the two groups. We conclude that autologous plateletpheresis is a better method of blood conservation in terms of better haemostasis, and less requirement of blood and blood products in the postoperative period as compared with the autologous whole blood donation. This technique can be especially useful in the above-mentioned categories of patients.

Severe acute pancreatitis due to hepatitis A virus infection in a patient of acute viral hepatitis.

The commonest causes of acute pancreatitis are cholelithiasis and alcohol. Rare causes include various viral infections, among which mumps is the commonest. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and, recently, hepatitis E have been reported to cause acute but mild pancreatitis in patients with acute viral hepatitis. This report describes a case of severe acute pancreatitis caused by hepatitis A.

Syringomyelia as a cause of limb hypertrophy.

A case of limb hypertrophy secondary to syringomyelia is presented.

Correlation of beta-lactamase production/methicillin resistance and phage pattern of Staphylococcus aureus.

Multiple drug resistance is exhibited by coagulase positive staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospitals. Prevalence of MRSA due to prolonged stay in the hospital, instrumentation/invasive procedure, surgical intervention and misuse of antibiotics have been reported. Antibiogram of 200 coagulase staphylococci showed 10% MRSA strains. Predominant phage type 81 belonged to unclassified group followed by phage type 84 belonged to group 3. As the management of MRSA is not easy, efforts should be made to eradicate the MRSA by taking strict aseptic conditions and the severe infections should be treated according to the sensitivity pattern of the strain.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the jejunum.

We report a 55-year-old man with recurrent bleeding from the small intestine. Preoperative investigations suggested it to be a small intestine tumor. The resected specimen was diagnosed at histology as dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the small bowel.