Spectrum of Congenital Heart Disease in a Tertiary Care Center

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is not an uncommon entity in our country. The prevalence of CHD is 9.3 Per 1000life birth in Asia which is found to be highest globally. Not much of Indian data is available particularly from south part of thecountry. So we conduct a retrospective study to know the spectrum of congenital heart disease in our set up.Methods: This is a retrospective hospital based study carried out over a period of 12 months (2018 January – 2019 January)where all suspected children (< 12 years) of CHD were subjected to echocardiographic study. The age, sex, clinical presentationand echo findings were well documented.Results: The total number CHD diagnosed were 124 and were more common among males (54.5%) with male to female ratiois 1.2:1.Congenital heart diseases were diagnosed more commonly between 1 month to 1 Year (45.9%). The commonest typeof acyanotic CHD in our study was ventricular septal defect (VSD) (32.3%) and cyanotic CHD is tetralogy of Fallot (8.06%). Themajor clinical finding was a detection of a murmur (84.4%) followed by tachycardia (41.5%) and tachypnea (36.3%).Conclusions: In this era of most accurate diagnostic modalities, any clinical suspicion of congenital heart disease should beconfirmed by echocardiography to hasten the diagnosis, timely management and prevention of complications.

A Comparative Study of Attempted Suicide in Adolescent, Adult, and Elderly Population

Introduction: The risk factors of attempted suicide vary among different age groups and it varies very much between theadolescent and elderly population. Hence, identifying the suicide risk factors for each population will help in the developmentof suitable prevention strategies for each age group.Aim: This study aims to analyze the differences in sociodemographic data and risk factors involved in adolescent, adult, andgeriatric group.Materials and Methods: Across-sectional analytical study with 90 patients (30 adolescents, 30 adults, and 30 geriatric patientsafter a h/o attempted suicide) was taken. The duration of the study was 3 months (January–March 2018). Sociodemographicdata, details of the suicide attempt, the precipitating stressors, and risk factors were analyzed by a semi-structured pro forma.The intent of the suicide attempt was analyzed by Beck’s Suicide Intent Scale. The lethality of the attempt was analyzed byRisk-Rescue Rating Scale (Weismann and Worden, 1972). Psychiatric morbidity was found out from MINI plus and ICD 10criteria were used to confirm the diagnosis. All the data obtained are analyzed statistically.Results: This study helps us understand that suicide attempts are different in different age groups. In the younger group, thepsychosocial stressors and the support available for handling them determine the attempts. In adults, the major problem wasmarital conflict and substance dependence and the prevention strategies should be directed toward it. Most of the geriatricsuicides were planned not impulsive and they had a comorbid psychiatric illness. This stresses the importance of screening ofmental illness in the elderly and adequate treatment of physical comorbidity as well.Conclusion: This study finds that multiple factors warrant a broadly directed multimodal approach for intervention and the needfor a tailored approach for each population.

A Study On Asymptomatic Vaginitis In Hiv Infection

Background: Vaginal discharge syndrome is common in women attending STI clinic. This may be vaginal/cervical and the presence of inflammation at these sites increase the risk of transmission and acquisition of HIV infection. Aim:To study the asymptomatic vaginitis in PLHAs. Materials & methods: An observational and prospective study for one year (year 2017) done in a tertiary care centre. A total of 152 women PLHAs participated and the diagnosis was made by correlation of clinical findings and microscopy.Results: The prevalence of asymptomatic vaginitis in PLHA was 79% (50/63 cases) which was considerably high when compared to STI clinic attendees. Vulvovaginal candidiasis was the commonest noted aymptomatic vaginitis followed by bacterial vaginosis. This states, it is the altered vaginal flora that causes asymptomatic vaginitis in PLHAs in common than the infections.Conclusion: This study stress the need for complete gynaecological evaluation and follow up in PLHAs.