Faculty Development Program in Nepalese Medical Schools: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives.

Teaching medical students is an art that requires expertise in the core content of the subject and specialized teaching techniques. Learning to teach medical students and teachers learning from those teachings themselves is a lifelong process. Short medical teacher training courses in various specialized teaching techniques lay the foundation for a positive teaching experience that can substantially impact medical education. The Faculty Development Program is one such training course for medical teachers, designed to be an essential step toward becoming a student-centered facilitator. This article sheds light on the current status and significance of the faculty development program in Nepalese medical education. It also offers suggestions and critical strategies to improve the program in the future with available resources and to integrate it further into medical education. Keywords: Faculty development program; medical education; Nepal; teacher training.

Clinical profile of children with acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND: Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is common in developing countries with a high hospitalization rate. Most patients have acute nephritic syndrome features, although some occasionally present with unusual clinical features. This study aims to describe and analyze clinical features, complications, and laboratory parameters in children diagnosed with APSGN at presentation, 4 and 12 weeks later, in a resource-limited setting. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among children < 16 years with APSGN between January 2015 and July 2022. Hospital medical records and outpatient cards were reviewed for clinical findings, laboratory parameters, and kidney biopsy results. Descriptive analysis of multiple categorical variables was performed using SPSS version 16.0 and presented as frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: The study included 77 patients. Most (94.8%) were older than five years, and age group 5-12 years had highest prevalence (72.7%). Boys were affected more frequently than girls (66.2% vs. 33.8%). Edema (93.5%), hypertension (87%), and gross hematuria (67.5%) were the most frequent presenting symptoms, and pulmonary edema (23.4%) was the most common severe complication. Anti-DNase B and anti-streptolysin O titers were positive in 86.9% and 72.7%, respectively, and 96.1% had C3 hypocomplementemia. Most clinical features resolved in three months. However, at 3 months, 6.5% of patients had persistent hypertension, impaired kidney function, and proteinuria alone or in combination. Most patients (84.4%) had an uncomplicated course; 12 underwent kidney biopsy, 9 required corticosteroids, and 1 required kidney replacement therapy. There was no mortality during the study period. CONCLUSION: Generalized swelling, hypertension, and hematuria were most common presenting features. Persistent hypertension, impaired kidney function, and proteinuria persisted in a small proportion who had a significant clinical course and required kidney biopsy. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Colostrum Feeding among Newborns Visiting the Outpatient Department of Pediatrics of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Colostrum is the thick yellowish breast milk that is produced during the first 3-5 days of childbirth. Feeding colostrum protects the newborn from various diseases, thus promoting the overall well-being of the newborn. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of colostrum feeding among newborns visiting the Department of Pediatrics in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among infants presenting to the Department of Pediatrics in a tertiary care centre. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 2078/079/107). The duration of study was six month from 12 February 2022 to 12 August 2022. A pre-designed questionnaire was used for face-to-face interviews. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 350 newborns, colostrum was fed to 305 (87.14%) (83.63-90.65, 95% Confidence Interval) newborns. A total of 180 (59.02%) were breastfed within 1 hour of delivery. Conclusions: The prevalence of colostrum feeding was higher in our study than in other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: colostrum; exclusive breastfeeding; newborns; prevalence.

Abdominal Wall Dyskinesia in a Child Presenting as Belly Dancers' Syndrome: A Case Report.

Belly dancer's dyskinesia or syndrome is a rare condition characterized by involuntary, undulating, infrequent diaphragm movements. The etiologies for this disorder include nervous system disorders (peripheral or central), drug-induced, psychological, or idiopathic. This article describes a 10-year-old boy with an underlying psychological stressor who suddenly experienced involuntary abdominal wall movements after salbutamol nebulization. After a detailed history, physical examination, and abdominal ultrasound that revealed rapid rhythmic diaphragm movements, the child was diagnosed with salbutamol-induced belly dancer's dyskinesia with an underlying psychological problem. These movements subsided with medical and psychological therapy for two weeks. Belly dancer's dyskinesia is a complex disorder that is difficult to diagnose but can be managed with medical treatment and psychological counseling alone in a few patients. In contrast, in other cases, surgical intervention may be required. Keywords: case reports; dyskinesias; salbutamol.

Stunting among Children Aged 6 to 59 Months Visiting the Outpatient Department of Pediatrics in a Tertiary Care Centre.

Introduction: Stunting refers to low height for age, resulting from chronic undernutrition, often linked to poor socio-economic conditions, maternal health, infant care, and nutrition. It hinders children's physical and cognitive development. In Nepal, over half of children under five suffer from malnutrition. Despite efforts, stunting remains high but has decreased from 57% in 1996 to 25% in 2022. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of stunting among children aged 6 to 59 months visiting the outpatient Department of Pediatrics in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 6 to 59 months visiting the outpatient Department of Pediatrics in a tertiary care centre after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee from 27 April 2023 to 15 July 2023. Anthropometric measurements were taken. World health organization standard growth charts for Z score was used appropriately for the completed age in months and gender of the child. A pre-designed questionnaire was used for face-to-face interviews. Convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 320 children, 46 (14.38%) (10.54-18.22, 95% Confidence Interval) children had stunting. Among those 46 children with stunting, 20 (43.47%) had severe stunting. Conclusions: The prevalence of stunting among children aged 6 to 59 months was found to be lower than other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: children; prevalence; stunting; undernutrition.

Perceptions of Medical Students About Bedside Teaching in a Medical School.

INTRODUCTION: Bedside teaching is an important and established learning tool in medical education. However there is a decline in bedside teachings over the years throughout the world including Nepal, due to advancement in medical technology, clinical skills labs and simulation techniques. This study aimed to find out the perception of Nepalese medical students towards different domains of bedside teaching. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A questionnaire consisting of Likert scale, open ended and closed ended questions was developed on different aspect of bedside teaching and the filled questionnaires were included for analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred and six questionnaires were included. Almost all of medical students responded that bedside teaching is a useful learning modality in clinical teaching 304 (99.3%) and provides active learning in real context 291 (95%). The majority of medical students 233 (76%) were satisfied with the steps of history taking, examination followed by management discussion employed at bedside teaching. The students 223 (73%) were satisfied, how to elicit signs following demonstration of clinical exam by teachers at bedside. However majority 196 (64%) felt lack of individual opportunity at bedside. According to students, focussing more on practically oriented clinical skills with proper supervision would improve learning while hindering factors were large number of students and patient's uncooperativeness. Good communication was considered the best method of alleviating patient discomfort at bedside teaching in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that medical students have positive response and learning attitudes towards different aspects of bedside teaching.

Recent developments in the detection and management of acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common condition in children admitted to hospital and existing serum and urine biomarkers are insensitive. There have been significant developments in stratifying the risk of AKI in children and also in the identification of new AKI biomarkers. Risk stratification coupled with a panel of AKI biomarkers will improve future detection of AKI, however, paediatric validation studies in mixed patient cohorts are required. The principles of effective management rely on treating the underlying cause and preventing secondary AKI by the appropriate use of fluids and medication. Further therapeutic innovation will depend on improving our understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying AKI in children.

Tuberculosis presenting as multiple intramuscular nodules in a child: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is a global health problem that mostly affects people in developing countries. Tuberculosis can occur in various organ systems and may present with diverse manifestations in the same system. Primary muscular tuberculosis is a very rare condition in both adults and children, and tuberculosis of various muscle groups presenting as intramuscular nodules is an even more uncommon presentation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 9-year-old Asian girl presented with multiple painless, gradually progressive swellings over different parts of her body for 3 months with no history of contact with tuberculosis. A physical examination was normal except for multiple swellings in her right forearm, a single swelling in her interscapular region and multiple swellings in her right calf. Ultrasonography of swellings revealed multiple nodules in the intramuscular layer. Excisional biopsies performed from two different sites revealed swellings in muscular layers and histopathology showed granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis consistent with tuberculosis. The child was started on antitubercular therapy after which the swellings resolved; she was kept on regular follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Intramuscular nodules in multiple muscular sites may be the presenting symptoms of tuberculosis of the muscles. Tuberculosis of skeletal muscles should be considered in a differential diagnosis when presented with single or multiple masses even when a chest X-ray is normal and there is no evidence of tubercular foci elsewhere in the body.

Medical Humanities in Nepal: Present Scenario.

Humanities have an essential role in medical education. The current gap between the humanities and medicine has to be bridged and there should be continuous and vigorous debate about the theory and practice of medical humanities. Medical humanities is a relatively new concept even in developed countries, and is at infancy stage in developing countries. In Nepal, modules on medical humanities have been initiated in certain medical schools by enthusiastic faculties and it requires further debates for inclusion in curriculum.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and granulomatous lymphadenopathy.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is known to present with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Lymphadenopathy is frequently observed in children with SLE and may occasionally be the presenting feature. SLE presenting with granulomatous changes in lymph node biopsy is rare. These features may also cause diagnostic confusion with other causes of granulomatous lymphadenopathy. CASE PRESENTATION: We report 12 year-old female who presented with generalized lymphadenopathy associated with intermittent fever as well as weight loss for three years. She also had developed anasarca two years prior to presentation. On presentation, she had growth failure and delayed puberty. Lymph node biopsy revealed granulomatous features. She developed a malar rash, arthritis and positive ANA antibodies over the course of next two months and showed WHO class II lupus nephritis on renal biopsy, which confirmed the final diagnosis of SLE. She was started on oral prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine with which her clinical condition improved, and she is currently much better under regular follow up. CONCLUSION: Generalized lymphadenopathy may be the presenting feature of SLE and it may preceed the other symptoms of SLE by many years as illustrated by this patient. Granulomatous changes may rarely be seen in lupus lymphadenitis. Although uncommon, in children who present with generalized lymphadenopathy along with prolonged fever and constitutional symptoms, non-infectious causes like SLE should also be considered as a diagnostic possibility.