Congenital malformations at birth in Central India: A rural medical college hospital based data.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of congenital anomalies and the associated risk factors in Department of Pediatrics at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, Wardha, a rural medical college hospital in central Maharashtra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the intramural deliveries between 1 January 2005 and 31 July 2007 comprised 9386 births and their 9324 mothers (62 mothers gave birth to twin babies). The newborns were examined and assessed systematically for the presence of congenital anomalies, system wise distribution of anomalies and risk factors attributable. RESULTS: Out of the total 9386 deliveries, 9194 were live births and 192 were stillbirths. The total number of babies with congenital malformations was 179 (1.91%). Out of the 9262 singleton births, 177 (1.05%) were malformed, whereas 2 of the 62 pairs of twins had birth defects. Nine of the 179 malformed babies (5.02%) were still born. Prematurity, increased maternal age, increasing birth order and low birth weight were found to have a higher risk of congenital anomalies. Cardiovascular malformations were most common in live births, followed by musculoskeletal and genitourinary anomalies. CONCLUSION: Congenital anomalies are a major cause of stillbirths and infant mortality. Evaluation of cardiovascular system to rule out congenital heart disease in high-risk mothers’ babies is the important factor to be considered.

Yale observation scale for prediction of bacteremia in febrile children.

Objective. To assess the accuracy and reliability of yale observation scale (YOS) predicting bacteremia. Methods. 219 consecutive febrile inpatients aged 3-36 months were the subjects. Before giving antipyretics, rectal temperature was recorded. YOS scores were assessed by 2 independent blinded residents. History, clinical examination and investigations followed. Blood cultures were taken in all children before antibiotics. Point estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for sensitivity, specificity, positive & negative predictive values and likelihood ratios for use of YOS as a diagnostic test in prediction of bacteremia. The best cut off value for a positive YOS test was established by calculating these statistical values separately for a cut off YOS score of 8, 10 and 12 and plotting ROC curve. Reliability of YOS was assessed by the inter-observer agreement through kappa statistics. Results. Study population (n=219) had 59.36% males and a mean age of 15.24 months. 28.16% subjects had bacteremia. Mean YOS scores were significantly higher in bacteremic children (14.9 vs 8.78 in non-bacteremic, p=0.00001) Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, LR+ and LR- of YOS score >10 to predict bacteremia were 87.93%, 83.78%, 68.00%, 94.66%, 5.42 and 0.14 respectively. Those of YOS score >8 were 96.55%, 65.54%, 52.34%, 97.98%, 2.80 and 0.05 respectively and of a YOS score >12 were 48.28%, 91.22%, 68.29%, 81.82%, 5.5 and 0.5 respectively. ROC curve showed YOS score >10 to be the best cut off for prediction of bacteremia. Area under ROC curve was 0.9001. The chance corrected inter-observer agreement (kappa) was 0.7919. Conclusion. YOS is a simple, easy to administer, cost-effective and useful test to predict bacteremia in a febrile child aged 3-36 months due to its high sensitivity and reproducibility.

Comparison of axillary temperature with rectal or oral temperature and determination of optimum placement time in children.

The present study was done to compare axillary temperature (AT) with rectal temperature (RT) in 100 infants and with oral temperature (OT) in 100 children agd 6 to 12 years and also to find out the optimum placement time of the mercury thermometer at the above sites. Simultaneous AT and RT recording was done in infants while sequential AT and OT recording was done in older children by different investigators using calibrated Hick thermometers. The placement time recorded was when 3 consecutive readings at one minute interval remained unchanged. Significant correlation was observed between RT and AT (r=0.95, p <0.01) and between OT & AT (r = 0.97, p 0 <0.01). Equations were derived to calculate RT & AT from AT. The mean placement time for RT, AT and OT was 2.3 minutes, 4.8 minutes and 3.1 minutes respectively. The study showed a high degree of correlation between OT or RT and AT.

Unilateral pulmonary agenesis and renal anomalies associated with in situ neuroblastoma of the adrenal gland.

An association of unilateral pulmonary agenesis with in situ neuroblastoma of adrenal gland in a newborn having multiple congenital anomalies is being reported. Polycystic right kidney and absent left kidney, leading to severe oligohydramnios with secondary Potter's syndrome and Breech deformation sequence, were additional malformations present in our proposita.

Umbilical cord allantoic cysts in a newborn with vacterl association.

Allantoic cysts of umbilical cord are very rare. A preterm, low birth weight, male newborn with a new constellation of anomalies, allantoic duct cysts in the umbilical cord and associated perinatally lethal malformations of VACTERL sequence, is reported. In addition, the neonate also had duodenal atresia, patent urachus, obstructive uropathy and bifid scrotum. Association of Allantoic cysts with VACTERL sequence has not been described earlier.

Perforated acute appendicitis in a term neonate.

Acute appendicitis is rare in term neonates. In most of the reported cases, it is seen as a complication of necrotizing enterocolitis, Hirschsprung's disease, cystic fibrosis, meconium plug, inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, Group B Streptococcal septicemia and chorioamnionitis. A surviving term male newborn with isolated acute appendicitis with perforation is reported. A high index of suspicion of acute appendicitis, early surgery and the importance of a thorough search for a perforation in cases of neonatal acute abdominal distention is stressed. Literature of this rare condition is reviewed briefly.

Reliability of perception of fever by touch.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability of touch to predict fever in children. METHODS: 200 children who reported with fever formed the study material. Group I consisted of 100 children between 0-1 year of age and Group II consisted of 100 children between 6-12 years of age. Preterm, neonates under warming device, tachypnoeic and hypothermic were excluded from the study. The caregiver (CG) and the medical staffs (MS) response regarding presence or absence of fever by touch was noted in each child. Both were blinded to each other's response. Immediately temperature was recorded by calibrated rectal thermometer in Group I and calibrated axillary thermometer in Group II. RESULTS: The CG's touch had a sensitivity of 70.5% specificity of 40.9%, PPV of 38% NPV of 72.9%, PLR was 1.16 and NLR was 0.75. The MS's touch had a sensitivity of 78.0%, specificity of 63.6%, PPV of 38.0% NPV 84.8%, PLR of 2.08 and NLR of 0.36. There is over and under diagnosis of fever by both, the former being more by the CG reflecting the parental anxiety. The MS's touch is better to affirm or negative fever as compared to CG. The best site to palpate for presence of fever was abdomen, neck and forehead. CONCLUSION: Touch is not a valid screening test for fever. It is recommended that a thermometer must always be used by the MS to record fever and CG must be motivated for the same.

Limb body wall complex.

A case of Limb body wall complex is reported in a preterm, Low birth weight and stillborn neonate. The proposita had abdominal wall defect with evisceration of the organs into an amnio-peritonial sac, a short body stalk, torsion of spine with scoliosis and limb defects. Unusual associations present in this case were absent thymus, interstitial calcification in kidney and a history of exposure to birth control pills during first two months post-conception.

The IMS Act 1992: need for more amendments and publicity.

The IMS act was passed after a lot of thinking, discussions over pros and cons of childhood feeding practices and recommendations of WHA. We are not only legally bound by it, but it is also our moral responsibility to see that the act works. Already 9-10 years have passed but the results are not that encouraging. Most of our colleagues are unaware of the provisions and importance of this act. Making the law effective is very time consuming, costly, unaffordable and avoidable affair. We should not harp on multiplicity of legal opinions & loopholes to allow breaking the law in spirit if not in letter. We feel that most of our laws are paper tigers without any teeth, gathering dust by remaining present only in law books or journals. If we don't act now then there is every possibility that this act may also become one of the historical legal documents. Hence it is time for all of us to become an activist or counselor for BF. We should create awareness and public opinion about protection, promotion and support for BF. Be vigilant, form community watch group and report violations to the authorities. So that our country can become a proud nation of healthy, intelligent and emotionally stable children in the 21st century.

Group B streptococcal meningitis in a 5-year-old boy.

Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) is a well-known cause of early and late onset infections in neonates and very young infants. Recently attention has focused on the changing spectrum of invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease, including children beyond early infancy and non-pregnant adults. There is very little information available on invasive GBS infection especially meningitis in pediatric population older than three months of age. We report a case of uncomplicated meningitis due to GBS in a previously healthy 5-year-old boy. The literature on infection especially meningitis caused by Group B Streptococcus beyond infancy is reviewed.

Microalbuminuria as a predictor of early glomerular injury in children with sickle cell disease.

OBJECTIVE: A cross sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in the pediatric patients with sickle cell disease. METHODS: The study was carried out on 64 pediatric patients aged less than 14 years with documented HbSS, HbAS and HbS beta thalassemia, Microalbuminuria was estimated using single radial immuno diffusion technique. Majority of the study subjects were of HbSS type. 38.5% had symptoms for > 2 years. 18.8% of the study population had significant microalbuminuria (19.2% of SS type and 18.8% of Hb AS types). RESULT: Microalbuminuria excretion was significantly more in patients > 9 years of age as compared to young patients (p < 0.05). Mean serum creatinine levels did not show any significant difference in the various study groups. CONCLUSION: Microalbuminuria estimation is a very important clinical marker of preclinical glomerular damage in patients with sickle cell disease. It estimation would help in the early detection of such patients and prompt initiation of therapy.

Mermaid syndrome with amniotic band disruption.

An association of Amniotic Band Disruption Sequence and Mermaid Syndrome in a newborn having multiple congenital anomalies is being reported. The newborn had aberrant string like tissues attached to the amputed fingers and toes. Adhesions of amniotic bands had disrupted the fetal parts especially anteriorly in the midline, causing multiple anomalies. Apart from these features of Amniotic Band Disruption Sequence, the newborn had complete fusion of the lower limbs by cutaneous tissue, a characteristic of Mermaid Syndrome (Sirenomelia). Associated malformations were anal stenosis, rectal atresia, small horseshoe kidney, hypoplastic urinary bladder and a bicomuate uterus. The single umbilical artery had a high origin, arising directly from the aorta just distal to the celiac axis, which is unique to sirenomelia. Theories put forward regarding the etiopathogenesis of both the conditions are discussed.

Sirenomelia dipus in a dizygotic twin.

A rare case of sirenomelia in a LBW, IUGR & second of a dizygotic twin having multiple congenital anomalies is being reported. Apart from the features of sirenomelia, the newborn had a single umbilical artery, radial hypoplasia, total anorectal & urogenital agenesis and undetermined sex. The single umbilical artery had a normal origin from the iliac artery. There was no Vitelline arterial steal phenomenon. Theories put forward regarding etiopathogenesis are discussed. We conclude that the anomalies in the present case are difficult to be explained with earlier proposed theories. This puts an emphasis on reconsideration of old theory of genetic injury to the embryo by unknown factors.