Aims: To study the prevalence of tuberculosis infection among children in household contact with adults having pulmonary tuberculosis, and identify the possible risk factors. Methods: Children under the age of 5 years who were in household contact with 200 consecutive adults with pulmonary tuberculosis underwent tuberculin skin testing. Transverse induration of greater than 10 mm was defined as positive tuberculin test suggestive of tubercular infection. Infected children underwent chest radiography and analysis of gastric lavage fluid or induced sputum for detection of acid fast bacilli. Results: Tuberculin test was positive in 95 of 281 contacts (33.8%), of which 65 were contacts of sputum positive patients, while 30 were contacts of sputum negative patients. Nine of these children were diagnosed as having tuberculosis based on clinical features and/or recovery of acid fast bacilli; seven were in contact with sputum positive adults. The important risk factors for transmission of infection were younger age, severe malnutrition, absence of BCG vaccination, contact with an adult who was sputum positive, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Conclusion: The prevalence of tuberculosis infection and clinical disease among children in household contact with adult patients is higher than in the general population, and risk is significantly increased by contact with sputum positive adults.

Thiamine is an essential water‐soluble vitamin that plays an important role in energy metabolism. Thiamine deficiency presents many challenges to clinicians, in part due to the broad clinical spectrum, referred to as thiamine deficiency disorders (TDDs), affecting the metabolic, neurologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems. Concurrent illnesses and overlapping signs and symptoms with other disorders can further complicate this. As such, TDDs are frequently misdiagnosed and treatment opportunities missed, with fatal consequences or permanent neurologic sequelae. In the absence of specific diagnostic tests, a low threshold of clinical suspicion and early therapeutic thiamine is currently the best approach. Even in severe cases, rapid clinical improvement can occur within hours or days, with neurological involvement possibly requiring higher doses and a longer recovery time. Active research aims to help better identify patients with thiamine‐responsive disorders and future research is needed to determine effective dosing regimens for the various clinical presentations of TDDs. Understanding the clinical diagnosis and global burden of thiamine deficiency will help to implement national surveillance and population‐level prevention programs, with education to sensitize clinicians to TDDs. With concerted effort, the morbidity and mortality related to thiamine deficiency can be reduced.

Objectives Considering the dearth of literature on West syndrome (WS) from South Asian countries, this study aimed to evaluate the management practices in South Asia by an online survey and meta‐analysis. Methods An online questionnaire was sent to 223 pediatric neurologists/pediatricians in India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Their responses were evaluated and supplemented by a meta‐analysis. Results Of 125 responses received (response rate: 56%), around 60% of responders observed male preponderance and an approximate lead‐time‐to‐treatment (LTTT) of 4‐12 weeks. The commonest etiology observed was a static structural insult (88.6% of responders). Most commonly used first‐line drug (country‐wise) was as follows: India—adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH, 50%); Pakistan—oral steroids (45.5%); Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Nepal—oral steroids (94.4%); Bangladesh—ACTH (2/2); Bhutan—vigabatrin (3/5). ACTH and vigabatrin are not available in Myanmar and Nepal. The most commonly used regime for ACTH was maximal‐dose‐at‐initiation‐regime in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh and gradually escalating‐regime in Pakistan. Maximum dose of prednisolone was variable—most common response from India: 3‐4 mg/kg/d; Pakistan, Bhutan, and Bangladesh: 2 mg/kg/d; Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar: 5‐8 mg/kg/d or 60 mg/d. The total duration of hormonal therapy (including tapering) ranged from 4 to 12 weeks (67/91). Most responders considered cessation of spasms for four weeks as complete response (54/111) and advised electroencephalography (EEG; 104/123) to check for hypsarrhythmia resolution. Difficult access to pediatric EEG in Bhutan and Nepal is concerning. More than 95% of responders felt a need for more awareness. The meta‐analysis supported the preponderance of male gender (68%; confidence interval [CI]: 64%‐73%), structural etiology(80%; CI 73%‐86%), longer LTTT (2.4 months; CI 2.1‐2.6 months), and low response rate to hormonal therapy(18% and 28% for ACTH and oral steroids respectively) in WS in South Asia. Significance This study highlights the practices and challenges in the management of WS in South Asia. These include a preponderance of male gender and structural etiology, a longer LTTT, difficult access to pediatric EEG, nonavailability of ACTH and vigabatrin in some countries, and low effectiveness of hormonal therapy in this region.

Highlights Possible risk of severe COVID-19 in children with WS (hormonal therapy, young age, comorbidities). Risk of worsening epileptic spasms with COVID-19: not known. First-choice for WS based on risk stratification, availability of drugs, clinician’s preference and judgement. Sustenance of optimal care and reduction in treatment lag by means of tele-epileptology and maintenance of drug supply chain. Need for developing a global consortium to assess impact and interaction of COVID-19 with WS.

Highlights A multipronged teleneurology based approach for management of infantile spasms is needed for developing countries. Key principles: Fundamentals of management of IS, decentralization of patient care to local health providers, and early initiation of first-line therapeutic options. Efforts should be made for improving sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis. Constant motivation of parents and local health providers for monitoring therapeutic response, adverse effects of therapy, and infections.

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In 2011, Bhutan’s Royal Centre for Disease Control began Japanese encephalitis (JE) surveillance at 5 sentinel hospitals throughout Bhutan. During 2011–2018, a total of 20 JE cases were detected, indicating JE virus causes encephalitis in Bhutan. Maintaining JE surveillance will help improve understanding of JE epidemiology in this country.

<p>We report here a case study of meningococcal septicaemia caused by <em>Neisseria meningitidis</em> in Kalabazaar, Thimphu on November 2016. The one-year old patient had no history of contact with any infected individuals in the past two weeks before his onset, neither did he travel anywhere besides his one-storey traditional residence. The patient was hospitalized and given antibiotic treatment of ceftriaxone at an early course of the disease. The patient did not develop any complications during the time of hospitalization and had recovered well. Close contacts with the case were identified and given post-exposure prophylaxis with 500 mg ciprofloxacin. No new cases were encountered during the course of contact tracing. </p>