There is an increasing focus on researching children admitted to hospital with new variants of COVID-19, combined with concerns with hyperinflammatory syndromes and the overuse of antimicrobials. Paediatric guidelines have been produced in Bangladesh to improve their care. Consequently, the objective is to document the management of children with COVID-19 among 24 hospitals in Bangladesh. Key outcome measures included the percentage prescribed different antimicrobials, adherence to paediatric guidelines and mortality rates using purposely developed report forms. The majority of 146 admitted children were aged 5 years or under (62.3%) and were boys (58.9%). Reasons for admission included fever, respiratory distress and coughing; 86.3% were prescribed antibiotics, typically parenterally, on the WHO ‘Watch’ list, and empirically (98.4%). There were no differences in antibiotic use whether hospitals followed paediatric guidance or not. There was no prescribing of antimalarials and limited prescribing of antivirals (5.5% of children) and antiparasitic medicines (0.7%). The majority of children (92.5%) made a full recovery. It was encouraging to see the low hospitalisation rates and limited use of antimalarials, antivirals and antiparasitic medicines. However, the high empiric use of antibiotics, alongside limited switching to oral formulations, is a concern that can be addressed by instigating the appropriate programmes.

Objective: The focus on COVID-19 in children in low- and middle-income countries including Bangladesh has been on addressing key issues including poor vaccination rates as well as mental health issues, domestic violence and child labour. However, the focus on optimally managing children in hospitals is changing with new variants and concerns with the development of hyperinflammatory syndromes. There are also concerns with the overuse of antimicrobials to treat patients with COVID-19 in hospitals enhancing resistance rates. The Bangladesh Paediatric Association have developed guidelines to improve patient care building on national guidance. Consequently, there is a need to document the current management of children with COVID-19 in Bangladesh and use the findings for future guidance. Methods: Rapid analysis of the management of children with COVID-19 among eight private and public hospitals in Bangladesh with varying numbers of in-patient beds using purposely developed case report forms (CRFs). The CRFs were piloted before full roll-out. Results: Overall low numbers of children in hospital with COVID-19 (4.3% of in-patient beds). The majority were male (59.6%) and aged 5 years or under (63.5%). Reasons for admission included respiratory distress/ breathing difficulties with 94.2% of COVID-19 cases confirmed. All children were prescribed antibiotics empirically, typically those on the Watch list of antibiotics and administered parenterally, with only a small minority switched to oral therapy before discharge. There was appreciable prescribing of Vitamins (C and D) and zinc and encouragingly limited prescribing of other antimicrobials (antivirals, antimalarials and antiparasitic medicines). Length of stay was typically 5 to 10 days. Conclusion: Encouraging to see low hospitalisation rates and limited use of antimicrobials apart from antibiotics. Concerns with high empiric use of antibiotics and limited switching to oral formulations can be addressed by instigating antimicrobial stewardship programmes. We will be monitoring this. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.20(5) 2021 p.188-198

not availableNorthern International Medical College Journal Vol.6(1) 2014: 6-8

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy seem to be one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality leading to 10-15% of maternal deaths especially in the developing world. This study examines the perinatal outcome of neonates with mothers having hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Seventy three mothers and their newborn babies were selected. Mothers with Gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension were included. Gestational diabetics (GDM), chronic maternal diseases, infant of diabetic mother (IDM), babies with major congenital malformations were excluded. Results: Thirty five mothers (47.9%) had regular antenatal check up (ANC) and 38 (52%) had irregular. Nineteen mothers (26%) were primipara and 54 (74%) were multipara. Forty four mothers (60%) had positive family history or had own history of hypertensive disorder during their previous pregnancy. 13 mothers (17.8%) had normal vaginal delivery (NVD), 60 mothers (82.19%) had lower uterine cesarean section (LUCS). 30 babies (41%) were admitted. 44 mothers (60%) had gestational hypertension, 21 had (28.6%) pre-eclamtic toxemia (PET), 3 had (4.1%) eclampsia, 5 had (6.8%) essential hypertension 3 of them subsequently developed PET. Mean maternal age 26.86 years, gestational age 34.15 (±1.46)weeks among admitted and 36.30 (±1.6)weeks among non-admitted group. Mean birth weight was 1.69 (±0.39) kg. among admitted and 2.71 (±0.31) kg. in non-admitted babies. Seven pregnancies (9.58%) were twin, macerated 1 twin among was among 2 pregnancies (2.7%), 5 intra uterine death (IUD) observed in single pregnancy. Conclusion: Significant number of babies with maternal hypertensive disorder of pregnancy needed hospitalization, mean birth weight and gestational age was less than that of the non-admitted group.

Aims : Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy remain a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study prospectively examined the immediate neonatal outcome of women with maternal hypertensive disorder of pregnancy( HDP).Methods : Sixty mothers and their newborn were selected. Mothers with gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension and chronic hypertension were included.Results : Forty five (75%) mothers were mutipara and 15(25%) were primipara. Mean maternal age was 26.4 years. Mean gestational age was 34+ 4 weeks. 38 were male and 22 were female with Male: Female ratio was 1.72: 1. Thirty six (60%) were from in patient with regular antenatal check up, 60% mothers had gestational hypertension. Fifty four (90%) mothers needed lower uterine caesarian section. Forty four (73.33%) delivered preterm before 36 weeks of pregnancy. Low birth weight (<2.5kg) babies were 30(50%), very low birth weight (<1.5kg) were 16(26.66%). Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) were 18(30%) and Appropriate for gestational age( AGA) were 14(23.33%). Respiratory distress 30(50%) were the most common cause of admission, other associated problems were perinatal asphyxia (PNA) with seizure and meconium aspiration syndrome and to rule out sepsis in suspected cases. Nine (15%) needed ventilator care and 6(10%) needed nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) for respiratory problem. 6(10%) babies were expired and 54(90%) survived. Average hospital stay were 18.32(±10.68) days with a highest hospital stay of 49 days and the lowest 4 days. Conclusion :Maternal hypertensive disorder of pregnancy is associated with neonatal morbidity.