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Background: Atypical organisms are a common causative agent of pneumonia in children more than 3 years of age, causing around 10-30% of the cases. Though atypical pathogens are said to cause relatively milder form of pneumonia as compared to other bacterial and viral pathogens, severe manifestations can also occur. Early identification of these pathogens can help in starting treatment with macrolides, which can reduce the length of hospital stay and mortality. Hence in this study the prevalence of atypical organisms was identified by using serum Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in children between 3 years to 18 years of age with clinical diagnosis of pneumonia admitted in wards and PICU in KIMS hospital. Authors excluded Immunocompromised children. Detailed history and clinical examination was done. Investigations - complete hemogram, Chest Xray, blood Culture and sensitivity and serum PCR was done for a sample size of 100 children.Results: In this study among the three atypical organisms, Legionella pneumoniae was identified in 2% of the cases by serum PCR.Conclusions: In this study among the three atypical pathogens authors could only identify Legionella pneumoniae. Prevalence of Legionella pneumoniae was 2%. While treating children aged 3 years to 18 years with pneumonia, a high degree of suspicion of atypical pathogens is required, especially in Legionella because of its high mortality rate. In such circumstances adding macrolides along with other antibiotics will be beneficial to the patients outcome and duration of hospital stay.
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Background: Endtidalcarbonmonoxide (ETCOc) and Carboxyhemoglobin (COHB) levels correlate well to bilirubin production and an availability of non-invasive point of care (POC) device in predicting significant hyperbilirubinemia is of great advantage when compared to measurement of serum bilirubin. Objective of the study is to measure a value of ETCOc and COHB in the early neonatal period for the prediction of significant hyperbilirubinemia.Methods: This was the descriptive Cross Sectional Study. ETCOc and COHB were measured 12th hourly for 72 hours followed by TSB in whom the TCB was >14mg/dl. Neonates were classified as jaundiced whose TSB values were in phototherapy range as per AAP Recommendations. Receiver Operative Curves (ROC) were created by appropriate statistical software for ETCOc and COHb to predict significant hyperbilirubinemia. The Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive predictive value, Negative predictive value and likelihood ratios of each was determined and the correlation between ETCOc and COHb levels, ETCOc and TCB, COHB and TCB at different hours of age was evaluated.Results: Among the total 320 infants, 156 of them developed significant hyperbilirubinemia. The ETCOc and COHB level at 60 hours of age was the most predictive of significant hyperbilirubinemia by ROC analysis. ETCOc cut-off of 1.65 ppm at 60 hours of age has a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of 84.6%, 80.5%, 80.5% and 84.6%, 4.33 and 0.19. COHB cut-off of 1.32 ppm at 60 hours of age has a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of 84.6%, 81%, 80% and 84.2%, 4.34 and 0.19.ETCOc had a maximum correlation with COHB at 48 hours of age.Conclusions: An increased level of Endtidalcarbonmonoxide and Carboxyhemoglobin in the early neonatal period is useful as a screening test for prediction of significant hyperbilirubinemia.
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Background: Pneumonia accounts for 15% all deaths in children under 5 years of age, being the single largest infectious cause of deaths in children worldwide according to WHO. Establishing the exact etiological factor is a difficult task, as there are no definite clinical, radiological markers to differentiate between causative organisms. Hence by detecting the genetic material of causative organism by serum PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and correlating it with the clinical and radiological features can help in appropriate use with antibiotics.Methods: It is a observational study conducted in department of paediatrics KIMS hospital Bangalore, India which included inpatients admitted with clinical and radiological features of pneumonia over a study period from February 2018-April2019 .In this study we excluded immunocompromised children . After obtaining informed written consent, detailed history and clinical examination was done. Investigations including complete hemogram, CXR were done. Under sterile precautions, blood samples for serum PCR and blood culture and sensitivity were obtained. Serum PCR was done for a panel of 33 respiratory pathogens.Results: Etiological agents were identified in 63% of cases. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common causartive agent being detected in 50.6% of the cases. Staphylococcus aureus has been detected to be the second common organism 16%.Conclusions: In our study Pneumococci was identified in 50.6% of cases. Multiplex serum PCR could be a useful rapid diagnostic tool to identify the etiological agents. Introduction of pneumococcal vaccine worldwide in government immunization schedule, nationwide will help to reduce the disease burden caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
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Background: Acetaminophen commonly called as paracetamol is the most used ‘over-the-counter’ analgesic for headache, musculoskeletal pain, dysmenorrhoea etc. It is the best drug to be used as antipyretic for fever due to any cause and safest to be prescribed in all age groups. Antipyretic dose of acetaminophen is 325 to 650 mg; 3 to 4 times a day and is available in the strength of 650 mg and 500 mg tablets. This study was conducted to analyse the antipyretic efficacy and safety profile of two different doses of acetaminophen in patients with low grade fever.Methods: 300 hospitalised patients aged more than 18 years, in department of General Medicine, having low grade fever (38º to 39º C) were randomly allocated into two groups of 150 each, group A received 500 mg and group B received 650 mg of single oral dose of acetaminophen tablets. Oral temperature was measured before dosing, 30 minutes after dosing, one hour, two hourlies thereafter for 6 hours after the dose. Safety was assessed by monitoring for adverse effects during the study and 24 hours after administration of the assigned drug.Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in temperature in group B patients from baseline 39.06±0.87º C to 37.02±0.89º C at the end of 6th hour as compared with 39.18±0.80º C to 38.03±0.77º C in Group A patients (p=0.031).Conclusions: Our study concluded that acetaminophen in a dose of 650 mg is highly efficacious antipyretic drug compared to acetaminophen 500 mg with no adverse effects.
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Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a top infectious disease killer worldwide. In India although Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has seen significant success in TB treatment, patient non-adherence or lost to follow up continue to persist and are influenced by various factors. The present study aims to know the influence of adherence factors on TB treatment outcome among new sputum smear positive (NSSP) pulmonary TB patients under RNTCP. The objectives of the present study were to describe the distribution of socio-demographic factors, outcome patterns among NSSP patients and to assess the association of various adherence factors on TB-treatment outcome among NSSP patients.Methods: A prospective longitudinal study among 149 NSSP patients from selected TU’s of Bengaluru.Results: Among the 149 NSSP patients 107 (72%) were males and 42 (28%) were females. Treatment outcome is categorized as cured (120) and other treatment outcomes (defaulted-17 or treatment failure-3 or died-9). Among the various socio-demographic and adherence-factors: age >50years, illiteracy, male-gender, Hindu-religion, lower socioeconomic-status, poor-patient knowledge about TB, disbelief in TB-treatment, unwillingness to continue treatment with subsiding symptoms, smoking, alcohol intake, presence of diabetes or hypertension or COPD or HIV, patient’s un-satisfaction with treatment-availability or accessibility or contact-timings, no-encouragement from family members, other marital status and absence of stigma showed lower cure rates. Of these factors illiteracy, lower socioeconomic-status, poor patient’s knowledge on tuberculosis, smoking, alcohol intake, HIV positive status, un-satisfaction with TB-treatment availability and other marital-status showed statistical significance on the TB treatment outcome.Conclusions: With the observed associations of the above factors on TB-treatment outcome, Further measures like improving patient’s knowledge on tuberculosis, health-services and patient-provider relationship; appropriate TB-HIV care and encouragement to quit smoking or alcohol intake, could improve TB-treatment cure rates.
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Background: Open peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters have been routinely used in neonates. Closed catheters have resulted in a longer indwelling time and reduction in catheter related complications such as phlebitis in adults. However, there is paucity of data in neonates.Methods: We conducted this pilot study in a pre-post study design. Open catheters were used in the first phase and closed catheters in the second phase. Hundred babies requiring intravenous fluid therapy for at least 24 hours in this neonatal intensive care unit were included in each group. Indwelling time and the complications leading to removal of the catheter were compared between the two groups.Results: Both groups were comparable in terms of gestational age, day of life, site of cannulation, nature of intravenous fluid and drugs administered. In the open catheter group, there was significant increase in use of inotropes (38% vs 22%; p=0.014) and blood products (16% vs 5%; p=0.011). The mean indwelling time (hours) was significantly greater in closed catheter group compared to open catheter group (47.1'19.4 vs 38.04'17.9; p <0.008). Inotrope use was found to decrease the indwelling time. There was an increase in indwelling time by 8.2 (SE 2.67) hours even after adjusting for use of inotropes. The incidence of catheter related complications was similar in both groups.Conclusions: There is a marginal but statistically significant increase in indwelling time when closed peripheral IV catheters are used in neonates. However, our results would be more meaningful if replicated in a larger randomized controlled trial.
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Background: Neonatal encephalopathy, following severe birth asphyxia or perinatal hypoxia is referred to as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Cerebral ischemia occurs as a consequence of cerebral oedema and reduced cerebral perfusion due to myocardial dysfunction as a result of hypoxic cardiomyopathy. Sarnat stage I -100% recovery, HIE stage II - 80% normal and 20% mortality and HIE stage III - 50% mortality and 50% morbidity. Relatively few studies have been made on outcome in HIE affected preterm infants. The aims and objectives of this study was to find out the neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with HIE.Methods: This study is an observational clinical study, undertaken in Kempegowda Institute of Medical sciences and research centre, Bangalore, India. Study was performed between November 2016 to September 2018. 31 preterm infants with HIE were included in the study. Regular follow-up was done at 3, 6, 9, 12.15, 18 months by using Trivandrum development screening chart (TDSC) to stage II HIE infants.Results: The incidence of abnormal neurological outcome was 12.9%. Out of 31 preterm babies, stage I were 24, stage II was 4 (100% morbidity) and stage III were 3 (100% mortality).Conclusions: In present study, stage II HIE had 100% morbidity and moderate disability, stage III 100% mortality. Thus at 3-5 months of age during follow-up, when authors identify developmental delay, it is an ideal time to start interventional therapy to improve long term outcome.
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Background: Post graduate residents in tertiary care teaching hospitals in metropolitan cities bear the overwhelming burden due to heavy workload, they are at high risk of developing burnout syndrome, which in turn may affect hospital outcomes such as the quality and safety of the provided care.' This study was conducted to assess their perceived stress, stress induced somatic symptoms and coping strategies by postgraduates in Bangalore, India.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all postgraduates willing to participate in the study, pursuing their post-graduation in various specialties in Six medical colleges in Bangalore, India. Stress was assessed by Perceived stress scale (PSS-10), Stress induced physical symptoms using selected items from self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20), coping strategies using selected items from BRIEF COPE. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis has been carried out in the present study.Results: The mean PSS score in present study was found to be 22.92 (moderate stress). Stress was associated with clinical specialty, higher workload, poor sleep quality due to more working hours, marital status, harmful ideations. In present study Post graduates of OBG, pediatrics, radiology demonstrated higher perceived stress score with a mean PSS Score of 25.57, 24.25, 24.22 respectively. Dermatology postgraduates reported lowest stress levels with a mean PSS score of 16.86.Conclusions: In present study post graduates are facing moderate stress, affecting their physical and mental health resulting in dysfunctional coping strategies and harmful ideations like quitting, which has an impact on quality and safety of provided care.
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Alkaptonuria is a rare inherited autosomal recessive disorder of metabolism due to deficiency of homogentisic acid oxidase. This results in deposition of homogentisic acid in almost all the collagenous structures of the body leading to progressive multisystem involvement [alkaptonuric ochronosis] and poses a big challenge in anesthetizing such patients. We present one such case posted for total hip replacement and its successful management under general anesthesia