Background: Rickettsial diseases including Scrub Typhus are emerging as an important cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illness throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The objectives of the study are to study the clinical profile, complications and outcome of Scrub Typhus cases admitted in rural medical college.Methods: This prospective descriptive study was done at Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital, Tamilnadu, between Jul’2015 and Jan’2016. The children who were positive for Scrub Typhus by IgM Elisa were analyzed.Results: During the study period, 151 children (40% of fever cases) were positive for Scrub Typhus. All the children were presented with fever. High-grade fever, chills, vomiting, cough, head ache, were seen in 83%, 41%, 57%, 56% and 32% respectively. 54% of children had lethargy and 10% children brought with convulsions to hospital. Eschar was seen in 68% of children. Lymphadenopathy (70%) and hepatosplenomegaly (more than 56%) were common findings. Shock, respiratory distress, pleural effusion and ascites were seen in 46%, 36%, 40% and 37% respectively. Anemia (74%) and thrombocytopenia (81%) were common lab findings. Shock (46%), ARDS (12%), Meningoencephalitis (10%) and MODS (1.3%) were complications reported. Doxycycline (53%), Azithromycin (11%) and both drugs (36%) were used. Along with fluids, Dopamine (38%), nor-adrenaline (12%), Oxygen through Jackson-Rees Circuit (28%), Non-invasive ventilation (9%) was needed to treat the complications.Conclusions: When a child presents with acute febrile illness, hepatospleenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, anemia with thrombocytopenia and features suggestive of capilary leak diagnosis of Scrub Typhus must be considered. Doxycycline or Azithromycin, proper fluid boluses, Inotropes and O2 through Jackson-Rees Circuit are life saving for scrub typhus and its complications.

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) generally tends to follow a benign and chronic relapsing course. Relapses are a major problem in children with steroid sensitive NS (SSNS). Objective: To identify the risk factors for frequent relapse (FR) in the first episode childhood SSNS. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital, Tamil Nadu, between July 2013 and January 2016. Children aged 9 months - 12 years with a diagnosis of SSNS (first episode) who came for follow-up for at least 12 months in the pediatric nephrology clinic were included. The enrolled cases were divided into 2 groups: (1) frequent relapser (FR) and (2) infrequent relapser (IFR). 9 factors were studied as possible risk factorsfor relapse. The data collected were analyzed using Chi-square test and Student’s t-test. Results: Of 160 SSNS children, there were 92 (57.5%) cases of IFR and 68 (42.5%) cases of FR. There were 97 males (60.6%) and 63 females (39.4%) with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. The mean age of presentation was 4.37±2.32 years. The mean time taken to achieve remission during the first episode was 1.94±1.04 weeks. The interval between remission and first relapse was 5.56±4.51 months. Incidence of infection and hypertension was 31.9% and 37.5%, respectively. Risk factors significantly associated with FR were: Time taken to achieveremission during the first episode (>14 days) (p<0.0001), mean duration of interval between remission and first relapse (within 6 months) (p<0.0001), associated infections (p<0.0001) and hypertension (p<0.0001). Age at onset, sex, serum albumin, 24 h urine protein, and azotemia did not influence the FR in our study. Conclusion: More than 14 days to achieve remission during the first episode, relapse within first 6 months, associated infections and hypertension were the factors associated with FRs.

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Background: Perinatal Asphyxia is a multi-system disorder and its effects are not limited to central Nervous System. MODS determine the early outcome of asphyxiated neonate. Cardiac impairment occurs in about 25% of neonates with asphyxia. Often cardiac impairment is overlooked due to the lack of sensitive diagnostic test.Methods: A hospital based prospective analytical study performed over 50 Asphyxiated neonates admitted in our NICU from September 2016 to January 2017 myocardial dysfunction was evaluated using clinical, electrocardiography, echocardiography and cardiac troponin-T card test.Results: In the present study, among the 50 neonates 32 had clinical evidence of myocardial injury. Troponin T card test has the highest sensitivity of about 84.37%, positive predictive value of 93.1% and negative predictive value of 76% in diagnosing myocardial injury in contrast to ECG and ECHO. In terms of Specificity ECHO has the highest specificity of about 94.4% when compared to ECG and Trop T. Among all the diagnostic modalities used in this study, Troponin T best predicts the severity and outcome of Perinatal asphyxia. Conclusions: Troponin T card test is a valuable tool for early detection of myocardial injury due to perinatal asphyxia. In resource limited setting where the accessibility to 12 lead ECG, ECHO, and aid of cardiologist are not available, Trop T card test will serve as an effective handy screening tool in diagnosing myocardial injury

Introduction: A country's health is measured in terms of infant mortality. The neonatal care was revolutionized after the inception of NHM. The reduction in mortality can be achieved by systematic approach to common diseases prevailing in the area and by applying the uniform treatment protocol to bring down the mortality. So, this study aims at identifying the morbidity and mortality pattern in a tertiary care referral center. Methodology: Hospital data based retrospective study from Jan' 2016 to Dec' 2017. Results: Total of 7108 neonates was analyzed. Male: female ratio was 1.25:1. Low birth weight babies accounted 48.91% and pre-term babies around 54.63%. Of this predominant were late preterm babies. Jaundice requiring photo therapy (21.97%) topped the list of morbidities followed by sepsis (19.27%) and respiratory distress (7.86%). Sepsis (24.93%), RDS (19.95%) and birth asphyxia (18.95%) were the leading causes of mortality. Overall mortality in this study was 11.28%. Conclusion: Hyper bilirubinemia, Sepsis and respiratory distress syndrome were the leading causes of morbidity. Neonatal sepsis can be prevented by enforcing strict hand hygiene and aseptic protocols. Low birth weight and prematurity were the significant contributors to morbidity and mortality. Hence antenatal programs to prevent prematurity and low birth weight babies should be strengthened.

Background: HIV is a chronic disease which also significantly affects the behavior. This study aims at evaluating behavioral disorders in children with HIV/AIDS.Methods: This Cross-sectional study utilized the Child Behaviour Check List.Results: The overall prevalence of borderline and clinically significant behavioral problems were 69.3% (n=104). The prevalence of behavioral disorders were observed in the eight categories - anxious/depressed (borderline-7.7%, clinically significant-18.3%), withdrawn/depressed (6.7%, 18.3%), somatic problems (7.7%, 6.7%), rule-breaking behavior (7.7%, 18.3%), aggressive behavior (10.6%, 21.1%), attention problems (15.4%, 2.9%) and thought problems (9.6%, 2.9%). No social problems were observed. Internalizing problems were common in girls and externalizing problems were common in boys. As age advanced a simple linear progression in prevalence of Behavior Problems was found. There were 47.1% of Orphans in study and behavioral problems were more common in them.Conclusions: High prevalence of behavioural abnormalities warrants comprehensive management including Behavioural counselling and therapy and not just drugs for these children.

A full term male neonate was born by normal vaginal delivery to parents of third degree consanguineous marriage. He had difficulty in opening of mouth right from birth. Examination of oral cavity showed a membranous band extending from floor of mouth to roof of mouth on both sides with a very minimal central aperture which made it difficult for the visualisation of internal structure of oral cavity (Figure 1). No other external congenital anomalies were noted. Systemic examination was normal. Paediatric surgical opinion was obtained and was taken for band excision. During surgery, after excision of the band, a central cleft palate and hypoplasia of tongue were noted. Child was started initially with nasogastric feeds followed by breastfeeds and discharged in a stable condition. Cleft palate surgery was planned at a later date.

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