Background: Scrub typhus is a common aetiology for an acute undifferentiated fever among children. Early recognition and prompt management help to reduce morbidity and mortality.Methods: All children who visited our pediatric out-patient department between January 2016 and February 2018, admitted with clinical suspicion of scrub typhus and having positive serum IgM by ELISA were included in the study.Results: A total of 83 cases were enrolled during the study period. Of these 55 were boys and 28 girls. The average age of presentation was seven years, and the youngest was just five months old. Majority of these patients were from rural areas (86%). Roughly, two-thirds (77%) of the study group practiced open defecation. A maximum number of cases (65;78.3%) were reported during monsoon season (between September and January).Prolonged fever (100%), gastrointestinal symptoms (76%) such as vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, lymphadenopathy (96%) and hepatosplenomegaly (61%) were common signs and symptoms of pediatric scrub typhus. Only six patients had severe illnesses. The diagnosis was based on the positive serum IgM for scrub typhus. All the patients were IgM positive. Out of these 83 patients, eschar was seen in 50 (60%) patients. Weil Felix test was positive in 15 cases out of 33 tested cases. Six children had co-infection with 2 cases of malaria and four dengue fever cases.Conclusions: Scrub typhus is one of the common causes for acute undifferentiated fever among children. A high index of clinical suspicion and a lookout for an eschar shall facilitate an early diagnosis of scrub typhus.

Objective: Evidence based intervention is an effective method for improving autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children on socialization, communication and quality of life of the parents may have an effect on the brain activity. This aim of this study is to find the effectiveness of picture exchange communication system (PECS) and parent implemented intervention (PII) among ASD children and quality of life of the parents. Methods: Sixty ASD Children who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected and assigned into control (n=30) and experimental (n=30) groups. Experimental group received evidence-based intervention with PECS and PII for 6 months, whereas the control group received routine care. The children were assessed for social relationship and reciprocity (SRR), speech language communication (SLC) and Quality of life of the parents before and after the intervention. For the experimental group a 3-month post intervention along with Quality of life of the parents were also assessed. Parametric and nonparametric statistical methods were used. Results: The data showed that male, nuclear family and birth order above one was more among ASD. Two-way RM ANOVA showed significant difference among groups and tests (p<0.001), and interaction of groups with tests (p<0.001). Experimental post-test-2 i.e., after 6 months showed significant improvement in SRR, SLC and Quality of life of parents compared with control group. Conclusion: The present study shows that the PECS and PII as nursing strategy can improve ASD children socialization, communication and quality of life of the parents.

Background: Immunization being the most cost-effective treatment for preventing disease and extending life, is essential to know about its schedule and be aware of vaccines that are available up to date.  Immunization is one of the most important strategies for protecting children from disease. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of immunization among medical students recommended by Government of India (NIS) and Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP). Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai among final year MBBS students, Medical Interns using a structured questionnaire. The study was conducted between February 2021 & April 2021. Results: In a total of 259 study participants, around78(65%) of Medical Interns and 74(52%) of final year MBBS students are aware that as per NIS, BCG vaccine in catch up can be given until 1 year of age. Conclusion: The degree of knowledge among medical students should be emphasised and various initiatives regarding the knowledge and awareness about immunization among the interns and the medical students should be introduced.