Cord blood and serial lactate levels in predicting short-term outcome in term new-born babies with perinatal asphyxia

Introduction: Birth asphyxia is a leading cause of neonatal deaths across the globe. Clinical examination, Apgar score, pH, EEG/aEEG, Lactate are being used as markers for prediction of outcome. Serum Lactate is a better reflector of metabolic mechanism. We intend to study cord blood lactate and serial lactate levels in term birth asphyxia babies. Aim: To determine correlation between cord blood lactate, serial lactate levels and short term outcome in term new-born babies with perinatal asphyxia. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective, observational study. Thirty term babies with birth asphyxia were selected. Their Cord blood lactate, serum lactate at 6, 12, 24 hours of life were correlated to short term outcomes (NICU stay, shock, Acute kidney injury, mortality). Results: Eighteen babies with moderate asphyxia and 12 with severe asphyxia had mean cord blood lactate of 10.4mmol/L and 13.47mmol/L respectively. There was difference in mean lactate levels at 6, 12, 24 hours of life between the babies who survived and expired; also survivors had significant reduction in mean lactate levels at various time points. Babies with moderate asphyxia had no shock and AKI. Babies with severe asphyxia and shock had mean lactate levels of 12mmol/L in survivors and 13.8mmol/L in who expired. Babies with severe asphyxia and AKI had mean lactate of 14mmol/L in survivors and 14.6mmol/L in who expired. Babies with moderate asphyxia had no mortality. In babies with severe asphyxia, survivors had mean lactate of 12.74mmol/L and 14mmol/L in babies who expired. There was no correlation between the lactate levels and the length of the NICU stay. Conclusion: Serial lactate levels can be used to predictor the short term prognosis in term babies with perinatal asphyxia. There was significant difference in mean lactate levels between the babies who survived and expired. Serial lactate levels showed significant reduction in babies who survived.

Resurgence of diphtheria: clinical profile and outcome in a tertiary care hospital of South India

Background: Diphtheria is a potentially fatal acute disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheria. It was one of the leading causes of mortality in the pre vaccination era. This study is an attempt to highlight the clinical profile, outcome and demographic characteristics, immunization status of pediatric diphtheria cases in South India. Objective of the study was to analyze the clinical profile, immunization status and outcome in children with diphtheria admitted to the PICU in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India. The case records of all children admitted to the hospital between January 1st, 2014 to December 31st, 2018 with clinically suspected diphtheria were analyzed. The data was analyzed with respect to clinical features, demographic characteristics, immunization status, complications and outcome using appropriate statistical methods.Results: 18 cases were clinically suspected to have diphtheria. The average age of children presenting with diphtheria was 9 years. Out of the 18 cases, 11 were male, 7 were female. 16 out of 18 cases were from rural areas, whereas only 2 cases were from urban areas. Fever, sore throat and dysphagia were the presenting complaints in all cases. Neck swelling, white patch over tonsil and tender cervical lymphadenopathy were the other findings noted. Out of 18 cases, 7 were completely immunized, 8 were incompletely immunized and 3 were not immunized. Antidiphtheritic serum was given in 14 cases. Myocarditis, airway compromise and neurological deficits were the complications noted. Case fatality rate was 50%.Conclusions: Diphtheria still remains a major public health problem in developing countries like India. Mortality and morbidity due to diphtheria continues to be high despite ready availability of vaccines and antitoxin. Childhood immunization program, especially follow up and administration of booster doses must be prioritized.

Factors affecting compliance of drug therapy in outpatient children

Background: Adherence to a medical treatment regimen is an essential determinant of clinical success and professional success of doctor as well. Compared with the thousands of trials for individual drugs and treatments, there are few relatively rigorous trials of adherence interventions. Our study is a small effort towards understanding reasons for poor compliance among paediatric patients.Methods: The 256 cases that were selected for study had various clinical conditions. Compliance definition was applied only for those who received antibiotics. For other cases who received drugs other than antibiotics, we asked number of skipped doses. Data collected by paediatrician during follow-up or next visit because of some other illness and by telephone call to parents by assistant. Parents and kids were asked about the reasons for skipping the doses and also about their personal preferences towards medicines.Results: Out of 256 children 93 were prescribed antibiotics, 37.63% had good compliance and 62.36% had poor compliance.7% never skipped any medicine, 62% skipped less often (?5 times) and 31% skipped. Very often (?6 times), taste (67%), quantity (52%), apparent recovery (62%), school (65%), sleeping (56%), timing with food (47%) and bottle getting finished (49%) were the most common reasons for missing the dose of any medicine. Adherence was better when less number of doses were given less often. Chocolate flavor was liked by most kids.Conclusions: Prescribing medications should involve parents, children and practitioners in an open discussion around the most suitable, palatable formulations for successful treatment outcomes.