Clinico-radiologic Profile of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in Western Rajasthan.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinico-radiological profile and outcome of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Intensive Care Unit, ward and OPD of Pediatrics, Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur (tertiary care hospital). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 188 children (1 month-18 years) were enrolled and 108 admitted. INTERVENTION: TBI classified as mild, moderate, or severe TBI. Neuroimaging was done and managed as per protocol. Demographic profile, mode of transport, and injury were recorded. OUTCOME: Measured as hospital stay duration, focal deficits, mortality, and effect of early physiotherapy. RESULTS: Males slightly outnumbered females mean age was 5.41 ± 4.20 years. Fall from height was the main cause of TBI (61.11%) followed by road traffic accident (RTA) (27.78%). Majority (56.56%) reached hospital within 6 h of injury, out of which 27% of patients were unconscious. Mild, moderate, and severe grade of TBI was seen in 50%, 27.78%, and 22.22% of cases, respectively. About 12.96% of cases required ventilator support. The average duration of hospital stay was 11.81 ± 12.9 days and was lesser when physiotherapy and rehabilitation were started early. In all children with temporal bone fracture, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain revealed a temporal lobe hematoma and contusion in spite of initial computed tomography (CT) head normal. Children who have cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea/otorrhea had a high chance of fracture of base of skull and contusion of the basal part of the brain. CONCLUSION: In India, fall from height is common setting for pediatric TBI besides RTA. Early initiation of physiotherapy results in good outcome. MRI detects basal brain contusions in children presenting with CSF rhinorrhea/otorrhea even if initial CT brain is normal.

Effect of Folic Acid Supplementation on Seizure Control in Epileptic Children Receiving Long Term Antiepileptic Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of folic acid supplementation on seizure control in folate deficient children receiving long term antiepileptic therapy. METHODS: In a prospective interventional study, 140 children between age group 6 mo to 180 mo fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in study group, from October 2015 through November 2016. On the basis of serum folate, study group was divided into two subgroups by non randomization: Group A (<10 ng/ml) given folic acid supplementation for 3 mo and Group B (>10 ng/ml) was not supplemented. Response to folic acid supplementation in group A was compared with group B in terms of change in blood folate levels, frequency and duration of seizures after three months. RESULTS: Mean age of study group was 73.58 ± 46.89 mo (72.14% boys and 27.85% girls). 67.85% children were in group A and 32.14% in group B. On 3 mo follow up, children supplemented with folic acid (Group A) had significant fall in mean seizure frequency while in non-supplemented children (Group B), no significant change was seen (p value <0.05). Similar reduction in duration of seizure episode was seen in group A as compared to group B. Serum and RBC folate levels improved from baseline in group A, while in group B there was significant fall in folate levels. CONCLUSIONS: Folate deficiency is common in epileptic children on long term antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), contributes to poor seizure control and should be considered in the etiologic differentials of drug resistant epilepsy. Folate supplementation improves seizure control in these children.

Urban Rural Comparison of Anthropometry and Menarcheal Status of Adolescent School Going Girls of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is the formative period of life. Poor adolescent health translates into poor maternal health leading to increased maternal morbidity with inter-generational consequences. AIM: To compare anthropometric, socio-demographic, menstrual and nutritional status of rural and urban adolescent school going girls of Western Rajasthan, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in two rural schools and one urban school of Jodhpur region. Anthropometric, socio-economic (family history, menstrual history, maternal education) and dietary habit data of 327 (137 urban and 190 rural) school going adolescent girls aged 11-16 years were collected using structured questionnaires by a school based survey after consent from parents and school officials. Height and weight were taken using the standard procedure. Stunting (height for age) and thinness [Body Mass index (BMI) for age] were calculated as per the National Center for Health and Statistics (NCHS) standards. Statistical analysis was done using student t-test, fisher-exact test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: Mean height was significantly higher in urban girls while mean BMI of adolescents was significantly higher in rural areas as compared to their urban counterparts. Growth spurt was between 12-13 years showing maximum increase in mean height, coinciding with or immediately post-menarche. Menarche was one year earlier in urban girls as compared to rural girls (p<0.001). Thinness was more prevalent among females in urban areas and stunting was more common amongst girls residing in rural areas. CONCLUSION: Life style habits (poor dietary habits, sedentary life style) of the urban girls may contribute to an early menarche but rural girls despite having a later onset of menarche; have a lower final height which may be attributed to their poor nutritional status. Improving nutrition of rural girls and modifying the life style of urban girls and educating their mothers will reduce the disparity and lead to better health and development of adolescent girls in this region and this could be expected to improve maternal health in future.