Between 1 April 1996 and 30 June 1997, 1003 ear, nose and throat (ENT) outpatients and 340 inpatients diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis were analysed for ENT manifestations of tuberculosis to determine the relationship to sputum positivity, whether any high risk factors exist for the ENT manifestations as compared to other pulmonary tuberculosis patients, and the response to anti-tubercular treatment. The commonest ENT manifestation was found to be laryngitis (seven cases), which was more common in pulmonary tuberculosis patients (five out of seven), all except one of whom were sputum negative. All of these patients were defaulters from anti-tuberculosis treatment or relapse cases, and vocal cords were the commonest site of involvement. One case of tuberculous tonsillitis and one case of tuberculous mastoiditis were also noted. The practical implications of an awareness of ENT tuberculosis is a benefit of anti-tubercular therapy and hence conservative management usually suffices.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common consequence of perinatal asphyxia, occurring in upto 56% of these neonates. It is important to recognize AKI in asphyxiated neonates to facilitate administration of appropriate fluids and electrolytes in order to improve their outcome. Objectives: To determine the incidence of AKI in asphyxiated neonates and to correlate the severity and type of AKI with Apgar score and severity of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Methods: 75 neonates were enrolled – 50 asphyxiated and 25 healthy neonates. Renal functions were assessed using urine output, urine microscopy, biochemical parameters and sonography. The values obtained were correlated with the severity of HIE. Neonates with AKI were managed as per unit protocol. Results: Of the 50 asphyxiated neonates, 32 (64%) had AKI: 25 (78.12 %) neonates with pre-renal AKI and the remaining 7 (21.88 %) with intrinsic AKI. Out of the 32 asphyxiated neonates with AKI, 12 (37.5%) had oliguric AKI, while the remaining 20 (62.5%) had non-oliguric AKI. Levels of blood urea and serum creatinine were significantly higher in asphyxiated neonates as compared to healthy controls (p 0.001). Biochemical derangements correlated well with the severity of HIE and Apgar scores. Serum sodium and creatinine clearance showed significantly different values in asphyxiated babies compared to controls. There was no significant difference in the urine ouput in the control and study group. Sonographic abnormalities were seen most often in oliguric babies, and indicated bad prognosis. Mortality was higher in babies with oliguric AKI. Conclusions: Perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of neonatal AKI. Majority of the babies had non-oliguric AKI and responded well to fluid challenge. Abnormalities in the renal function correlates well with the severity of HIE. Intrinsic AKI, oliguria, hyponatremia, reduced creatinine clearance and abnormal sonographic scan suggest bad prognosis in neonatal AKI secondary to perinatal asphyxia.

Background:Diabetes has long been associated with maternal and perinatal mobidity and mortality. Infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) have higher risks for serious problems during pregnancy, delivery and early neonatal period. Abnormal fetal metabolism during pregnancy which is complicated by maternal diabetes mellitus results in multiple neonatal sequelae. Objective: To study the clinical, metabolic and hematological profile in infants of diabetic mothers and to compare the neonatal outcome in gestational and pregestational (overt) diabetic mothers. Methods: 69 neonates born to diabetic mothers were enrolled in the study. Gestational age, birth weight, relevant perinatal history and examination findings were recorded. Blood samples were collected to perform relevant biochemical tests and managed as per unit protocol. Echocardiography and ultrasound abdomen was done routinely in all neonates. Results: Of the 69 neonates, 71.01% (49/69) were born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), while the remaining 28.99% (20/69) were born to mothers with pregestational (overt) diabetes mellitus (PGDM). 53.63% (37/69) of mothers had poor glycemic control. Most of the neonates (73.91% - 51/69) were delivered by cesarean section. 88.40% (61/69) of the babies were born at term. Majority of them (85.50% - 59/69) were appropriate for gestational age with mean birth weight of 3.06±0.82kgs. Hypoglycemia was the most common metabolic abnormality seen in 73.91% (51/69) of neonates. Polycythemia was seen in 60.80% (42/69) of neonates. Congenital malformations were seen in 17.40% (12/69) of neonates, of which most of them had congenital heart disease. 11.60% (8/69) of the babies had suffered birth injuries. 5.80% (4/69) of neonates died in the early neonatal period. Occurrence of hypoglycemia, polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia, congenital anomalies and birth injuries were significantly higher in infants born to mothers with GDM, whereas hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia were significantly higher in infants of mothers with PGDM. Conclusions: Among the pregnancies complicated by diabetes, GDM continues to have a major contribution. Hypoglycemia and polycythemia remain the most common biochemical and hematological abnormality respectively. Congenital heart disease forms a major proportion of the congenital anomalies seen in IDMs. Mortality rate is higher in infants born to mothers with GDM.

Cutaneous hypersensitivity to 2TU PPD is not comparable to that of 5TU PPD.

In children, upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are one of the most common causes of infections which often require outpatient consultations with the doctor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotic Bacillus clausii UBBC-07 on symptom management of URTIs in children. In this double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study, 90 children (age 4-7 years) with URTIs were equally divided into two groups, the probiotic and placebo. The children were instructed to take B. clausii UBBC-07 spores (2×109 per 5 ml vial) or placebo suspension daily twice for three months. The total duration of the study was 6 months, 3 months treatment and 3 months follow-up period. The parameters assessed were the mean number of URTIs, duration and severity of URTIs, absenteeism from school/childcare and immunity parameters, such as immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgG, IgE and salivary IgA levels. At the end of treatment, there was a significant decrease in the number, duration and severity of URTIs in the probiotic treated group as compared to the baseline and placebo. IgE levels were significantly decreased and salivary IgA levels were significantly increased in the probiotic treated group suggesting probiotic mediated Th1/Th2 immune homeostasis to alleviate URTIs in children. In conclusion, B. clausii UBBC-07 may help in the reduction of symptoms of URTIs. The trial was registered prospectively with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI Reg. No: CTRI/2018/08/015282).