Acinetobacter sepsis in neonates.

Twenty-six neonates were diagnosed to have acinetobacter sepsis during 1986-90, representing 6.5% of all cases of bacteriologically proven sepsis. Of these 19 neonates were low birth weight (LBW) 12 were small for gestational age (SGA). Nineteen neonates had early-onset sepsis. The male to female ratio was 9:17. The hematological profile was suggestive of sepsis in 17 cases. All infants had clinical evidence of multi system infection. Eleven babies died; the cases-fatality rate was 42.3%. Only 15/25 culture isolates were sensitive to gentamicin and resistance to other antibiotics was even more frequent. Acinetobacter was cultured from other sites: eye swabs, skin pustules and umbilical catheter tips. Environmental nursery surveillance cultures done during the study period yielded Acinetobacter once from a crib, but no cases of sepsis occurred around that time. The epidemiological features of this organism illustrate the value of vigilance and precautionary measures.

Computerised neonatal case records: a four year experience.

A computerized system for neonatal case records has been used for the last four years at Kasturba Hospital. The software was developed in-house. The data base can be used to generate discharge summaries, neonatal statistics and epidemiological information. For a single patient, entry of data and printing of the discharge summary takes four to five minutes. Consolidated demographic and epidemiological statistics or selective clinical data for clinical research is easily retrievable. The system is efficient, accurate and easy to operate.

Neonatal citrobacter sepsis: clinical and epidemiological aspects.

Fourteen neonates were diagnosed to have Citrobacter sepsis during 1986-89, representing 4.6% of all cases with bacteriologically proven sepsis. Most of these infants were low birth weight (mean 2046 gm, +/- 750) and preterm (mean 34.8 weeks, +/- 3.8). Mean age at onset of sepsis was five days. In 10 cases the hematological profile was suggestive of sepsis. Infants had clinical evidence of multisystem infection; 2 with septic arthritis and 3 meningitis. The case fatality rate was 61%. Resistance to antibiotics was frequent. Citrobacter species were also cultured from other sites: umbilical stumps, eye swabs, urine, skin pustules and umbilical catheter tips. The epidemiological features and virulence of this organism call for vigilance and strict control measures.

Pediatric cancer care in India. A national survey.

A national survey of institutions treating children with cancer was undertaken in April 1988. The 21-item questionnaire included questions on personnel, treatment facilities, support services, attitudes and opinions regarding pediatric cancer care. 73 institutions responded. From the survey, it emerged that pediatricians did not see all pediatric patients with cancer at one-third of the respondent institutions. 50 percent of cancer centres did not have pediatricians. Cancer centres were better staffed with specialist personnel and better support services. Respondents felt that pediatric oncologists and specialist support personnel were necessary for optimal pediatric cancer care and facilities at medical colleges needed to be improved because of the large number of children with cancer treated at these institutions.

Multiple drug resistant untypable Salmonella typhimurium infection in children & neonates.

Salmonella typhimurium infection in children and neonates is reported. Out of 21 cases, 6 were new-born and 13 were below one year of age. Clinical manifestations included fever, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. All the isolates were from stool, out of the total 21 cases, 4 expired. This study was done at Microbiology Department of Kasturba Medical College over a period of seven months.