Cervical cancer in India and HPV vaccination.

Cervical cancer, mainly caused by Human Papillomavirus infection, is the leading cancer in Indian women and the second most common cancer in women worldwide. Though there are several methods of prevention of cervical cancer, prevention by vaccination is emerging as the most effective option, with the availability of two vaccines. Several studies have been published examining the vaccine's efficacy, immunogenicity and safety. Questions and controversy remain regarding mandatory vaccination, need for booster doses and cost-effectiveness, particularly in the Indian context.

Cortical blindness in a child with acute glomerulonephritis.

The association between hypertensive encephalopathy and cortical blindness in children with acute glomerulonephritis is extremely rare. We report the case of a 9-year old girl who presented with headache, seizures, altered sensorium, hematuria, and transient cortical blindness as a complication of hypertensive encephalopathy which showed complete reversal following normalization of blood pressure and an underlying post-infectious acute glomerulonephritis was revealed.

Nephrotic syndrome following a single bee sting in a child.

The occurrence of nephrotic syndrome following a bee sting is rarely reported in the literature. Hypersensitivity is believed to be the precipitating factor for the renal disease. We report a two-year-old boy, who developed generalized edema and decreased urine output, seven days after a bee sting. Physical examination and laboratory findings were consistent with nephrotic syndrome; and corticosteroid treatment induced prompt remission with resolution of clinical symptoms and normalization of laboratory findings. There was no relapse of the disease during a one-year follow up.

Pyoderma gangrenosum with pure red cell aplasia.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is an inflammatory condition of the skin commonly associated with inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis, but also associated with various hematological malignancies. We describe its association with pure red cell aplasia in a four year old boy who presented with progressive skin lesions, fever and pallor, and improved with corticosteroid therapy.

Serum ALT: LDH ratio in typhoid fever and acute viral hepatitis.

In 100 consecutive children aged below 18 years with confirmed typhoid fever, 29 had moderate hepatitis. Serum alanine amino transferase: lactate dehydrogenase (ALT: LDH) ratios of these 29 children at the time of hospitalization were compared with that of 29 children with acute viral hepatitis. The serum ALT: LDH ratio levels (expressed in multiples of upper limit of normal) was found to be less than 9 in typhoid hepatitis and more than 9 in acute viral hepatitis. Serum ALT: LDH ratio helps to differentiate typhoid hepatitis from acute viral hepatitis.

Pachyonychia congenita with unusual features.

Pachyonychia congenita is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by gross thickening of all finger and toenails. We report an infant who had clinical features consistent with pachyonychia congenita type II, with unusual features of microcephaly, seizures, electroencephalogram abnormalities, failure to thrive, and heterochromia iridis.

Comparison of oxygen saturation levels by pulse oximetry in healthy children aged 1 month to 5 years residing at an altitude of 1500 metres and at sea level.

OBJECTIVE: To compare oxygen saturation levels (SaO(2)) by pulse oximetry among healthy Indian children aged from 1 month to 5 years age residing at two different altitudes, Chennai and the Shervaroy hills. DESIGN: Prospective observational study with a control group at sea level. SETTING 1: Chennai city which is at sea level (data published previously). SETTING 2: The Shervaroy hills (Yercaud, Salem district, Tamil Nadu) about 1500 metres above sea level (this study). SUBJECTS: 328 healthy children aged 1 month to 5 years living in the Shervaroy hills. OUTCOME MEASURES: After assessment of anthropometry and heart and respiratory rates, oxygen saturation was recorded by pulse oximetry. RESULTS: The mean SaO(2) values of children in the Shervaroy hills in the age groups 1 month to 3 years and 3-5 years were 97% and 98%, respectively. The mean -2 SD O(2) saturation values for the 1 month to 5 years age group was 93%. The overall mean and median values of oxygen saturation were 97% in the Shervaroy hills vs 99% for children in Chennai city (p<0.01). When compared with their counterparts in Chennai, the Shervaroy hills subjects had significantly lower mean weight and height and higher heart and respiratory rates (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The reference value for mean SaO(2) in healthy children aged 1 month to 5 years in the Shervaroy hills (1500 m) was 97%, with the (-2 SD) values having a mean of 93% which is significantly lower than those living in Chennai (sea level), 99% of whom had a -2 SD mean of 96.6%.

Tuberculous gluteal abscess in infancy.

Primary tuberculous gluteal abscess without bone involvement has not been reported in infancy. We report 3 infants with isolated tuberculous gluteal abscess who presented with gluteal swelling of 2 weeks, 1 month and 6 months duration, respectively. Tuberculin test was positive in all cases. Pus cultures from the gluteal abscess grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis in all 3 infants.

Tuberculosis associated hemophagocytic syndrome in infancy.

An infant presented with prolonged fever, generalized lymphadenopathy, splenohepatomegaly, anemia and seborrheic dermatitis. Investigations including bone marrow findings confirmed the diagnosis of hemo-phagocytic syndrome (HPS) and the infant succumbed. Liver biopsy features of epithelioid granuloma and positive AFB culture of gastric aspirate confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). This rare association of HPS and tuberculosis in infancy is reported.