Clinico- Biochemical Profile of Neonates with Birth Asphyxia in Eastern Nepal.

Introduction: Perinatal asphyxia is a common problem with the incidence varying from 0.5 – 2% of live births. It is an important cause of neonatal mortality and is a frequent cause for admission to neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The aims of this study were to find out the clinical and biochemical alterations in different stages of HIE. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective hospital based observational study performed during the period of February, 2010 to January, 2011. Results: Sixty inborn neonates satisfying the criteria for birth asphyxia requiring admission to pediatric wards and neonatal intensive care unit were studied. There were 13(21.7%) cases of mild hypoxemic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), 27 (45%) moderate and 20 (33.3%) severe HIE. Seizures 41(68.3%), respiratory distress 32(53.3%) and shock 29(48.3%) were predominant manifestations observed. Meconium aspiration syndrome was found in 13.3% of neonates. Hypoglycemia 11(18.3%), hypocalcaemia 7(11.7%), hyponetremia 14 (23.3%) and hyperbilirubinemia 9(15%) were associated biochemical abnormalities. Twenty cases (33.3%) had acute renal failure and they belonged to moderate and severe stages of HIE. Seizures (P< 0.001), respiratory distress (P=0.015), shock (P<0.001) and serum creatinine (P=0.004) were found to be significant among different HIE stages. Conclusion: Neonates having birth asphyxia had HIE, seizures, respiratory distress, shock, hypoglycemia hypocalcaemia, hyponetremia, hyperbilirubinemia and acute renal failure mostly in moderate and severe stages

Achondroplasia: Case Report and Review of Literature.

A two month old male child presented to emergency of B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan and was admitted to Paediatric ward with history of fever, cough and respiratory distress. On examination the breathing was rapid and shallow. The child was small for age with an upper to lower segment ratio of 1.9. The anteroposterior diameter of thorax was reduced. We report a very rare case of achondroplasia which was recognized in a two month age child who presented with severe pneumonia. Usually the clinically features of achondroplasia is more prominent when the child is growing in height but we diagnosed it in a two months child after performing the skeletal survey.

Guillain Barre Syndrome: Major Cause of Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Children and Adolescents of Nepal.

Introduction. Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a post infectious polyneuropathy involving mainly motor but sometimes sensory and autonomic nerves. It is an acquired disease of the peripheral nerves that is characterized by rapidly progressing paralysis, areflexia and albumino-cytological dissociation in CSF. Methodology: Prospective, descriptive, observational, hospital based study was carried out to find out the clinico-epidemiological features of GBS including existing treatment modalities and its outcome. All cases fulfilled the criteria for AFP (Acute flaccid Paralysis) surveillance was included. Cases were reviewed for full medical history and examinations. To confirm the diagnosis, necessary investigations were carried out and combined with clinical symptoms. Results: Thirty patients were included in the study during study period. Among them 90% were diagnosed as GBS, 7.4% patients of GBS were associated with hypokalemic paralysis, 7.4% diagnosed as transverse myelitis and 3.7% diagnosed as idiopathic neuropathy. Different types of GBS were classified as AIDP (Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) 62.96%, AMAN (Acute motor axonal neuropathy) - 25.52%, AMASAN (Acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy) - 3.3% and MFS (Miller fisher’s syndrome) - 6.6% according to NCV result. Male female ratio is 1.7:1.0. There was 14.8% patients had relapse within 5 year. Associated diseases were URTI, pneumonia, sore throat and diarrhea. Facial Nerve palsy was commonest cranial nerve involvement.Sixty percentage of patients presented with sensory symptoms. There was transient bowel and bladder involvement in 20% of the cases. 69.2% patients became bed ridden at the nadir. There was albumin-cytological dissociation in 80% case. Majority of patients improved with supportive treatment alone, 19.5% patient required ventilator support among them 40% died. 7.4% of cases expired during treatment. Half of the patients fully recovered within 3 months. Conclusion: GBS is the commonest cause of AFP, AIDP being commonest subtype in our setting. We have to improve our existing treatment facilities and extend to different centers to detect and treat GBS. Most of the patients improve with supportive treatment alone. Ventilator support indicates grave prognosis.

Clinical and Biochemical Profile of Acute Liver Failure with Hepatic Encephalopathy in Children from Eastern Nepal.

Introduction: Hepatic encephalopathy is a potentially reversible neurophyschiatric abnormality in the setting of liver failure. Acute liver failure (ALF) is a potentially life-threatening disorder in children. Objectives: The present study evaluated the clinical profile, outcome and factors influencing the outcome of children presenting with acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy presenting to a referral hospital of Eastern Nepal. Methodology: Thirty children (17 males and 13 females) were admitted with this diagnosis during two year period.Prospective study. Results: The most common cause of acute liver failure was mushroom poisoning seen in 30% of cases. Only 37% (11 out of 30) children survived, most of them in early stages (Stage I and II) of encephalopathy. Bleeding manifestations were significantly more common (P=0.002) in deaths as compared to survivors. Conclusion: As liver failure is associated with high mortality rates especially in absence of facilities for liver transplantation, efforts should be directed in favor of implementing preventive measures such as vaccination and community education to prevent toxin ingestion.

Brain tumours in children.

A 10 years old, female patient presented with symptoms of abnormal movement of the body for 5 years, deviation of mouth to left side for 12 days and difficulty in walking for 12 days. We report a very rare case of Brain Stem gliomas. Clinical and imaging findings were suggestive of brain stem gliomas.

Incidence of congenital heart disease in tertiary care hospital.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present study was under taken to determine the spectrum, clinical profile and outcome of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) admitted to a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational hospital based study conducted during January 2006 to December 2006. Out of 14461 admissions, 84 were cases of CHD. Only patients with echocardiographic proof of CHD were included in the study. Detailed clinical and laboratory findings and outcome of all cases were noted in pre-structured formats. Data were entered in MS-excel. Data was analyzed by software SPSS version 10. RESULTS: The incidence of CHD was 5.8 per 1000 hospitalized patients. Out of 84 CHD cases, 51 were males and 33 females; with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. CHD presented more frequently during infancy (46 %). Acyanotic heart disease was detected in 58 (69 %) cases while cyanotic heart disease was detected in 26 (31%) cases. Among acyanotic heart disease, ventricular septal defect (VSD) was found in 49 (58.3%), atrial septal defect (ASD) in 4 patients (4.8%), endocardial cushion defect (ECD) in 2 patients (2.4%) and dextrocardia was found in 3 patients (3.6%). Among cyanotic heart disease, Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) accounted for 13.1%, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) 3.6%, transposition of great arteries (TGA) with VSD 1.2% and unspecified cases of heart disease was found in 13.1%. VSD and TOF were the most common lesions while other CHD like ASD, dextrocardia, TAPVC, ECD, TGA with VSD were encountered less frequently. The most common clinical presentations were failure to thrive (FTT) and developmental delay (86.9%), breathlessness (69%), lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (52%), congestive cardiac failure (CCF) (46%), cyanosis (20.2%), cyanotic spell (9.5%) and infective endocarditis (9.5%). The mortality rate was 20 %. CONCLUSION: The incidence of CHD was 5.8 per thousand hospitalized children. VSD, TOF were the most common congenital cardiac lesion. VSD was observed either isolated or associated with other lesions like TGA. The mortality rate was 20 %. The mortality usually occurred in those patients complicated with congestive cardiac failure, lower respiratory tract infection and infective endocarditis.

Clinico- Biochemical Profile of Neonatal Seizure.

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to study the incidence, etiological factor, and days of onset, clinical types and biochemical abnormalities in babies having neonatal seizures. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, observational hospital based study. Ninety neonates, who developed seizures before 28 days of life and admitted to neonatal intensive care unit and nursery with neonatal seizure, were evaluated for incidence, etiological factor, clinical types and biochemical abnormalities found in neonatal seizure. The variables were analysed using Chi- Square and student t- test. Results: The incidence of neonatal seizure was 10.3/ 1000 live births. The seizures were common in male babies. 65 (72.2%) neonates were born to multiparous women while 35 (38%) were born to primigravidas. In birth asphyxia (n= 40), the most common type of seizure observed was subtle seizure 20 (50%), followed by focal clonic 10 (25%) and multifocal clonic 5 (12.5%). Tonic type of seizure was observed in 3 (7.5%) and myoclonic in 2 (5%). Meningitis and septicaemia was the second most common cause of neonatal seizure observed in our study. Among metabolic abnormalities hypoglycaemia was found in 20 (22%) and hypocalcaemia in 10 (11%). Conclusion: The commonest cause of seizure was birth asphyxia presenting within 72 hours of life. Among infection septicaemia and meningitis was the most common cause leading to neonatal seizure. Among biochemical abnormalities the most common cause of seizure observed in our study was hypoglycaemia and hypocalcaemia. Subtle seizures were the commonest type of seizure observed in this study.

Acid base and electrolyte disturbance in diarrhoea.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to study the frequency of electrolyte imbalance in children with diarrhoea and the relationship between electrolyte abnormalities and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational hospital based study. Fifty seven children admitted to paediatric ward with diarrhoea and dehydration was evaluated for electrolyte and acid base status at presentation. The variables were analyzed using chi-square and student t- test. RESULTS: Majority (70%) of patients were below 2 years of age. There were 37 (65%) males and 20(35%) females. Electrolyte disturbance was observed in 46 (80%) patients while acid base disturbance was observed in all (100%) where the estimations were done. The major electrolyte disturbances noted were hyponatremia (56%), which was either isolated (26%) or associated with hypokalemia (26%). The second common abnormality was hypokalemia (46%) which was again either isolated (14%) or associated with hyponatremia (26%). About 10% patient had hypernatremia and about 3% had hyperkalemia. Twenty one (37 %) patients had mixed electrolyte imbalance. ABG analysis was performed only in 16 patients. Arterial blood gas analysis could be performed only in 16 patients. Metabolic acidosis was present in 15 (94%) while one (6%) had metabolic alkalosis. Out of 57, five patients (8.7%) expired. All of them had electrolyte abnormalities. Out of five patients who died one had isolated hyponatremia, 2 had hyponatremia + hypokalemia, while one each had hypernatremia + hypokalemia and hypernatremia+ hyperkalemia. Statistically significant mortality was observed in patients presenting with either hyponatremia or hypokalemia as compared to the group with normal electrolytes. CONCLUSION: Hyponatremia, hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis are common electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities in children with diarrhoea and dehydration and often responsible for mortality.

Risk factors in early neonatal sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the maternal and neonatal risk factors for neonatal sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is prospective case control study, conducted on the neonates up to 7 days of life with a diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. There were 100 cases of neonatal sepsis and 100 control cases. The neonates in the case and control groups were evaluated for various maternal and neonatal risk factors. RESULTS: The factors which carried a significant risk for development of neonatal sepsis were premature rupture of membrane (PROM), meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), foul smelling liquor, low birth weight, prematurity and low Apgar score at birth. The blood culture was positive in 22% of cases. The commonest organisms isolated were S. aureus and Klebsiella. The overall mortality was 11%. The incidence of risk factors was almost equal in culture positive and culture negative cases. CONCLUSION: The study identifies PROM, MSAF, foul smelling amniotic fluid, prematurity, low birth weight and low Apgar score at birth as strong risk factors for development of neonatal sepsis. In the presence of above factors, the neonate should be screened and observed for sepsis and considered for early institution of antibiotics.

Outcome of newborns with birth asphyxia.

Birth asphyxia is one of the common causes of mortality and morbidity in neonates and the incidence is 2-9 per 1,000 live borns. The present work is a retrospective hospital based observational study. Babies born at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal during the period from April 2002 to April 2003 with gestational age >or=37 weeks with Apgar score <or=6 at 5 minutes were included in the study. The aim was to study the clinical profile, the acid base parameters and the outcome of asphyxiated newborns. Babies with congenital defects, evidence of infection and maternal drug addiction were excluded from the study. All babies were resuscitated according to the guidelines of American Heart Association. Data on 50 birth asphyxia cases were tabulated and analysed. There were 10 (20%) cases of severe birth asphyxia (Apgar score: 1-3 ) and 40 (80%) cases of moderate birth asphyxia (Apgar score: 4-6). Staging of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) was performed according to Sarnat's staging. Thirty percent of these cases presented with various stages of HIE and the incidence was higher in low Apgar score group. The common presentations of HIE cases had depressed neonatal reflexes, seizures, lethargy, and pupillary abnormalities. The common acid base disturbance was metabolic acidosis which was observed only in babies with HIE-3. Two neonates (4%) died during the hospital stay due to multiorgan failure and severe metabolic acidosis.

Clinical and laboratory profile of dengue infection in children.

The present work is a prospective, observational, hospital based study on 100 sero positive cases of dengue infection, admitted to Dhaka Children Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period 2000 -2001. The patients were in the age group 8 months to 14 years with a mean age of 8.3 years. The serological tests were performed by rapid strip test. Primary dengue infection (only Ig M positive) was observed in 15% cases while rest 85% were secondary dengue infection (either Ig G or both Ig M and Ig G positive). Classical dengue fever (DF) was noted in 11% patients and 89% children presented with dengue hemorrhagic fever / dengue shock syndrome (DHF / DSS). Common clinical presentations were fever, headache, retro- orbital pain, arthralgia / bone pain, vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding manifestations. Other presentations were tachycardia, bradycardia, hypotension, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, pleural effusion, ascites, thrombocytopenia and high hematocrit values. The incidences of tachycardia, hypotension, hepatomegaly, high hematocrit and thrombocytopenia were significantly higher in DHF / DSS cases. The tourniquet test was positive in significantly higher percentage of DF cases. The tourniquet test and thrombocytopenia did not correlate well with other bleeding manifestations suggesting alternate pathogenesis for bleeding. In an epidemic setting, if a child presents with fever, vomiting, musculoskeletal pain and bleeding along with hepatomegaly, low platelet count and high hematocrit, a strong possibility of DHF/ DSS should be kept.