Clinico-bacteriological study was done in 51 leprosy patients below 14 years of age. Majority of the patients were males in the age group of 11 -14 years. Nearly 84% had not received any prior treatment because of lack of awareness and financial constraints. Only 11.76% had a positive contact history. Skin lesions were present in all cases and 84.3% had lesions mainly on the exposed areas of the body and their number was found to increase significantly with advancing age (p < 0.005). These lesions were hypo-pigmented patches in 88% cases. 88% of cases had hypo-anesthesia and nerve thickening was observed in 24% cases. The most common type of skin lesion was borderline tuberculoid (BT) in 53% cases. Positivity of the skin smears increased significantly as the number of the skin lesions per patient increased (p < 0.001). Multibacillary cases were seen in 15.6% of cases and found only in the age group of 10 -14 years of age. No statistically significant association between BCG vaccination and prevention of leprosy was seen.

The allergic sensitization in childhood asthma is common and the prevalence varies in different geographical locations. The data on allergen sensitization to guide clinicians on allergy avoidance is limited. MethodThis prospective observational study was conducted between October 2019 and April 2020 on children aged two to 14 years attending an outpatient clinic. Those with recurrent wheezing or physician-diagnosed asthma were interviewed; eosinophil count, total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) was measured; and skin prick test (SPT) was done using standardized reagents. Wheal size of ≥3mm was considered positive. ResultsA total of 80 children were enrolled. The mean age was 71.15 ± 33.52 months (M:F ratio =1.96:1). Allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and dermatosis were seen in 76 (95.0%), 33 (41.3%), and 22 (27.5%) cases, respectively. The mean absolute eosinophil count was 576 ± 427per cmm. The mean total IgE was 800.9 ± 883.2IU/ml. Seasonal and diurnal variations were found in 34 (42.5%) and 79 (98.8%) cases. Out of 1753 skin pricks using 27 reagents, 355 (20.25%) were positive. Increasing age was significantly associated with increasing SPT positivity (P = 0.0001). The most common sensitive aeroallergens were Kentucky bluegrass (25%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (22.5%), Dermatophagoides farinae (21.3%), Timothy grass, and Alternaria alternans (20% each). The most common sensitive food allergens were spinach (25%), banana (22.5%), carp (20%), shrimp and hen's egg (18.8% each), and cow's milk (17.5%). ConclusionIncreasing age was associated with increasing SPT positivity in childhood asthma. The most common sensitive aeroallergens were Kentucky bluegrass and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; spinach and banana were the most common food allergen.

Calcinosis cutis may be a presenting feature of juvenile dermatomyositis even in the absence of characteristic findings of rash and weakness.

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Cor-triatriatum dexter is an extremely rare congenital anomaly, in which right atrium is divided into 2 halves by a septum giving rise to 3 atrial chambers. We report here a case of cor-triatriatum dexter who presented at 3 days of life with tachypnea and did not respond to antibiotics. Echocardiography revealed ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) with right to left flow, intact interventricular septum (IVS), severe tricuspid regurgitation with pulmonary arterial hypertension and a membranous structure dividing right atrium into 2 halves with good biventricular function. The patient improved with sildenafil and anti-failure medication. This case of cor-triatriatum dexter presenting with pulmonary hypertension, tricuspid regurgitation and ASD added to the new spectrum of cor-triatriatum dexter.

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The classical Bartter syndrome is an uncommon tubular disorder of autosomal recessive inheritance, characterized by early childhood onset of polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting, dehydration, constipation and salt craving habit. The long-term outlook for patients with Bartter syndrome is not certain. If not properly treated, it may lead to failure to thrive and growth retardation. We herein report a case of 18-month-old girl child who presented chronic diarrhea and failure to thrive and then was diagnosed as a case of classical Bartter syndrome. She was successfully treated with potassium supplementation and ibuprofen therapy.

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