Analysis of Post Earthquake Disease Pattern in a Camp at Gyampesal Gorkha.

Background A major earthquake occurred in Nepal on 25th April 2015 with magnitude of 7.8 causing mass panic amongst people. Objective To analyze scenario, experience and disease pattern of Post Earthquake camp at Gyampesal, Gorkha. Method A prospective observational study done on 13th and 14th June 2015 in a population who attended the health camp at health post, Gyampesal Gorkha. Analysis was done for age, sex, and disease pattern. Medicines for their health problems was provided by Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal Pediatric Society and Children Welfare in Nepal, Kathmandu. Result Total 159 patients [80.5% children and 19.5% adults] had attended the health camp. The mean age of children was 6.18±4.27 SD with maximum between 2-5 years (39%) and mean age of adults was 37.87±14.07 SD. Among the children males were more (50.8%) than females but in adult group females (83.9%) were more. Most common complaints were earthquake related fear (Children- 60.23% / adults -71%), insect bite [children -25.8% /adults -35.5%], pain abdomen (children- 64.1% / adult -38.7%) and decreased appetite (children- 83.6% / adults - 16.1%). Pain abdomen and decreased appetite was significantly high in children with p < 0.009 and 0.001 respectively. The common disease patterns noted in children were recurrent abdominal pain (25%), acute gastroenteritis (19.5%), upper respiratory tract infections (15.6%), Impetigo (15.6%), Dental caries(10%), Pityriasis alba (10%). In adults Acid peptic disease (51.6%), Headache (32.5%), hypertension, Upper respiratory infections, scabies and Urinary tract infection (16%), Acute gastroenteritis (13%) was common. Conclusion Earthquake related fear, insect bite and Communicable diseases both airborne and water borne were the commonest findings observed. Therefore basic needs and services like safe water and sanitation, adequate shelter, primary healthcare services and vector-control campaigns are crucial and essential for these displaced populations.

A Prospective Study on Exchange Transfusion in Neonatal Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia--in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Nepal.

BACKGROUND: An exchange transfusion involves replacing patient's blood with donor blood in order to remove abnormal blood components and circulating toxins while maintaining adequate circulating blood volume. OBJECTIVE: To observe the incidence, causes of jaundice requiring Exchange and any adverse event of exchange transfusion in newborns with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. METHOD: Prospective study undertaken at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal from March 2014 to April 2015. For both mothers and neonates blood group and Rh typing and for all newborns pre and post exchange complete blood count with peripheral smear, serum bilirubin, hemoglobin, calcium, potassium, random blood sugar, C-reactive protein and blood culture and where ever required Direct Coombs test, reticulocyte count, G6PD activity and thyroid function test were done. The incidence, indications, positive outcome, complications and mortality were noted. RESULT: Out of 481 cases of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia 29 (6%) required exchange transfusion. 55.2% Pathological Jaundice [13.8% ABO incompatibility, sepsis and hypothyroidism was commonest causes] and 44.8% exaggerated physiological jaundice [27.6% with no underlying pathology, 10.3% preterms 3.4% cephalhematoma] required exchange transfusion. Post transfusion, bilirubin level decreased significantly (p < 0.001). The commonest adverse events noted were anemia (89.7% / p < 0.018), hyperglycemia(51.7% / p < 0.001), hypocalcaemia (48.3% / p < 0.001)), sepsis(10.3%), hypernatremia (13.8%), hyperkalaemia, bradycardia, apnea and feed intolerance (6.9%). None of them had kernicterus and there was no mortalities. CONCLUSION: Exchange transfusion is an effective procedure to decrease bilirubin levels but is associated with many complications. Hypothyroidism was one of the commonest cause of jaundice requiring Exchange transfusion.

Relationship of Renal Function Tests and Electrolyte Levels with Severity of Dehydration in Acute Diarrhea.

BACKGROUND: Acute diarrheal illness constitutes a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children in developing countries. Most of the complications of diarrhea occur due to excessive fluid and electrolyte loss; adverse complications are seen more with increasing severity of dehydration. This study was conducted to identify the relation of renal function and electrolyte abnormalities in children with varying severity of dehydration. METHODS: This study was carried out in Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal over duration of one year. The aims were to find out the association of renal function and electrolyte disturbances with type of diarrhea, severity of dehydration and their relation to outcome. All children more than one month and less than 15 years with acute diarrhea were included in the study. Data were entered and analyzed by SPSS version 19. Statistical analysis applied was Chi-square test. A p-value of <0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: Acute watery diarrhea was the commonest type of diarrhea in children. Dehydration was associated more with Acute Watery Diarrhea than with Invasive Diarrhea. Renal function and electrolyte abnormalities were seen more in Acute Watery Diarrhea with increasing levels of blood urea, serum creatinine and abnormal levels of serum sodium seen with increased severity of dehydration. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormalities in renal function and electrolytes correlated significantly with severity of dehydration. The outcome of patients correlated with severity of dehydration with mortality occurring in 18.1% of patients with Severe dehydration, 0.8% of Some dehydration with no mortality in the No dehydration group.

Modifiable demographic factors that differentiate bronchiolitis from pneumonia in Nepalese children less than two years - a hospital based study.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis and pneumonia is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in children. Various risk factors make these children more prone for this illness. There is limited data on the risk factors from this part of the world. Moreover there is a significant clinical overlap between bronchiolitis and pneumonia thus necessitating the need for evaluating their demographic difference. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the modifiable demographic risk factors for bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children less than 2 years. METHOD: A prospective, comparative hospital based study undertaken during March 2012- March 2013 in Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara. Altogether 200 cases of bronchiolitis and 200 cases of pneumonia, in the age group of 2 to 24 months, were randomly selected for comparison of risk factors as per a predesigned proforma. A 'p' value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data was analyzed by using SPPS version 16. RESULT: The significant risk factors for bronchiolitis were age <6 months (p<0.001), prematurity (p<0.001),male(P<0.04), younger maternal age (p<0.009), poor maternal knowledge (p<0.013), air pollution and lack of ventilation (p<0.001), exposure to cooking fuel - kerosene (p<0.007), firewood (p<0.001) , tobacco smoke (p<0.001), overcrowding (0.008), winter season (p<0.015), domestic pets (p<0.003), low birth weight (p<003), use of animal milk (p<0.001).The significant risk factors for pneumonia were age 13 months- 24 months, maternal age 26- 35 yrs (p<0.009), female (p< 0.04), malnutrition, lack of Vitamin A supplementation and immunization (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Most of the risk factors for bronchiolitis and pneumonia identified in this study were modifiable; hence could be prevented to decrease the burden of both the diseases.

Incidence of simian crease in normal Nepalese children.

BACKGROUND: Simian crease is usually associated with some chromosomal anomalies and syndromes but it is also seen in some populations without any chromosomal defects. OBJECTIVE: To see the incidence of simian crease in children without chromosomal anomalies and to detect the Ethnic group variations. METHODS: A prospective study in children attending the paediatric outpatient department of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara. 2,067 children were screened randomly from the 1st June 2007 to the 31st December 2007. Palm crease and axial triradius angle were detected in every child. Axial Triradius angle was compared between those who have simian crease to those who do not simian crease. Children who were found with simian crease underwent IQ testing. The exclusion criteria were children with Down syndrome, other chromosomal and minor anomalies, plus or any other chronic disease condition. RESULTS: Two thousand sixty seven children (1,084 boys and 983 girls) were screened. Among them four were cases of Down syndrome so were excluded from the study. Finally total of 2,063 (1,082 boys and 981 girls) were the study group. There were a total 14 ethnic groups who attended the outpatient department of Manipal Hospital during a seven months period. Among the seven ethnic groups Brahaman, Gurung, Tamang, Lama, Newar, Chettri and Dalit had single palmar crease. The incidence of simian crease was 14.6%.This incidence was highly significant (p less than 0001) in Lama population (71.2%). In these seven ethnic groups axial triradius angle was compared between those who had simian crease and with those who did not have simian crease. Comparisons were made statistically and found to be significant. CONCLUSION: Incidence of simian crease in Nepalese children was 14.6% and was observed only in certain ethnic groups. It was significantly high in the Lama population (71.2%).

Enteric fever: a retrospective 6-year analysis of 82 paediatric cases in a teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and laboratory properties, to see the response to therapy, incidence of antimicrobial resistance and complications of Enteric Fever in children. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 82 cases of enteric fever admitted in department of pediatrics, Manipal Teaching hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. Study period was six years from (Jan 2000 to Dec 2005). RESULTS: Total of 82 cases of Salmonella infections were admitted .There were 50 (60%) males and 32 (40%) females. Most of the patients were above the age of five. The leading clinical feature were Fever (100%) , GI symptoms (73%), followed by splenomegaly (60%), hepatomegaly (58%), chills & rigor (41%), headache(33%),coated tongue(17%), lymphadenopathy (13%), Respiratory signs (13%), toxic look (7%). The laboratory reports revealed leucopenia in 26% and leukocytosis in 16%. Widal test was positive in 83%, Blood culture was positive in 37 %.Bone marrow was done in 8 cases, out of which 5(62.5%) were culture positive. Out of 35 culture positive cases 32 were Salmonella typhi and 3 were Salmonella paratyphi A. Regarding the treatment 55% were treated with ciprofloxacin, 29 % with ceftriaxone, 7% with ampicillin, 6% with cefotaxime and 2.4 % with chloramphenicol. Response to therapy was assessed by day of defervescence after antibiotics. Best response was observed with ciprofloxacin (4.7 days) followed by ceftriaxone (5 days), ampicillin (5.5 days), cefotaximee (6.4 days), chloramphenicol (10 days) respectively. In the antibiogram resistance was 43% with chloramphenicol, 37% with ampicillin, 31% with trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole, 5.7%with ciprofloxacin and 4% with cefotaxime. Resistance was 0% with ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, and ofloxacin. Gentamycin was found to show high sensitivity (91%). The complications observed were anemia in 10%, 5% had neurologic signs like clouding of consciousness and 3.7% had CNS irritability. CONCLUSION: It is important to include Enteric fever in the differential diagnosis of febrile patients with abdominal symptoms. Though blood culture is the definite test, Widal test plays supportive role in diagnosis of enteric fever, especially when patients come after a course of antibiotics. Sometimes when both blood culture and Widal tests are negative Bone marrow can be the diagnostic tool for the diagnosis. Based on this analysis ciprofloxacin is still a good drug for the treatment of Enteric Fever. Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime and Ofloxacin can be considered as first line treatment for Enteric fever since resistance was nil with these drugs on culture reports.

Case of Schizencephaly: a case report.

Schizencephaly is a rare developmental disorder of neuronal migration, characterized by early focal destruction of the germinal matrix and surrounding brain before the cerebral hemispheres are fully formed at 1-5 months of gestation . The lesion is most likely related to multiple aetiologies including genetic, toxic, metabolic, vascular or infectious agents. This case is reported due to its rarity. The prevalence of schizencephaly is very uncommon internationally.