Objectives:To study the clinical profile and predictors of outcome in children with status epilepticus (SE) during resuscitation in pediatric emergency department.Materials and Methods:This retrospective study was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Admission and resuscitation data of children, aged between 1 month and 12 years, treated for SE, between September 2013 and August 2014, were extracted using a standard data collection form. Our SE management protocol had employed a modified pediatric assessment triangle to recognize and treat acute respiratory failure, cardiovascular dysfunction (CD), and subtle SE until all parameters resolved. Continuous positive airway pressure, fluid boluses based on shock etiology, inotropes, and cardiac safe anticonvulsants were the other modifications. Risk factors predicting mortality during resuscitation were analyzed using univariate and penalized logistic regression.Results:Among 610 who were enrolled, 582 (95.4%) survived and 28 (4.6%) succumbed. Grunt odds ratio (OR): 3.747 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.035−13.560), retractions OR: 2.429 (95% CI: 1.036−5.698), rales OR: 10.145 (95% CI: 4.027−25.560), prolonged capillary refill time OR: 3.352 (95% CI: 1.339−8.388), and shock requiring >60 mL/kg fluids OR: 2.439 (95% CI 1.040−5.721) were associated with 2−3 times rise in mortality. Inappropriate prehospital treatment and CD were the significant predictors of mortality OR: 7.82 (95% CI 2.10−29.06) and 738.71 (95% CI: 97.11−999), respectively. Resolution of CD was associated with improved survival OR: 0.02 (95% CI: 0.003−0.17).Conclusion:Appropriate prehospital management and treatment protocol targeting resolution of CD during resuscitation could reduce mortality in children with SE.

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the clinical profile of pediatric HIV infection in the age group of 18 month to 12 years and to correlate the clinical features with their CD4 count.Methods: This descriptive study was conducted over a period of 1 year from October 2007 to October 2008 at Govt. Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, Salem and included 100 children (aged between 18 months-12 years) diagnosed HIV by using rapid antigen tests or ELISA. Demographic data, clinical manifestations correlating with CD4 count and nutritional status of the children were recorded in predesigned proforma and analysed.Results: 100 children were included (males-65 and females-35) in the study. 22 children were asymptomatic and 78 were symptomatic. Clinical symptoms like skin lesions in 29, oral lesions in 10, lymphadenopathy in 46 children were observed. The respiratory (13%), central nervous (12%) and haemotological systems (16%) were most commonly involved organs systems. Children in stage III and IV disease were into Grade I-IV PEM classification (for weight) and majority of stage I-IV children were in Grade II according to Mclaren’s classification (for height).Conclusions: Majority of children with HIV infection presented with various clinical manifestations, malnutrition and immunosuppression. Hence, early identification of the disease and proper management in children helps in improving the immunological status and thereby life span of the child.

Background: Status epilepticus (SE) is a paediatric and neurological medical emergency, continuous seizure lasting more than 30 min, or two or more seizures without full recovery of consciousness between any of them. Determination of immediate outcome of SE in children in a tertiary care hospital and to identify the risk factors influencing the outcome was the objectives of the present study.Methods: A study was conducted in Dept of Pediatrics, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital among the children from 1 month to12 years of age, who had admitted for SE in hospital’s pediatric causality from October 2009 to October 2010 were selected for the study.Results: Out of 92 patients, total 87 patients completed the study and out of those 74 have recovered and 13 have died. The risk factors significantly affecting the outcome were hypoxia at the time of arrival, decompensated shock, respiratory failure requiring intubation and acidosis.Conclusions: Proper prehospital therapy, early referral, proper care while transporting, anticipitating risk factors involved, and protocol based approach uniformly at all hospital can reduce the mortality due to status epilepticus in children.

Background: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon form of stroke, usually affecting young population. Clinical features of CVT are diverse, and for this reason, high degree of clinical suspect is mandatory to diagnose the conditions. The objectives of the study were to analyse the commonest clinical modes of presentation, possible etiologies, and to evaluate clinical outcome.Methods: This study was prospective, clinical study was conducted on 40 patients during the period of September 2010 to September 2011 in the Department of Emergency, Institute of Internal medicine at Government General Hospital (GGH), Chennai. All the patients included in the study were subjected to neuroimaging techniques like Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with magnetic resonance venography (MRV) according to guidelines and standard protocol.Results: Majority of the patients involved in the study were in the age group of 15-35 years contributing to 75%. Male: female ratio was 1.5: 1. Headache was the most common presenting symptom seen in 36 (87.5%) cases followed by convulsions in 32 (80%) patients. Altered sensorium was observed in 26 (65%), focal deficits in 22 (55%), and 18 (45%) had fever. Two of them had ear discharge and another with diarrhea. Cranial nerve involvement in 35% and pappiledema was noted in 20% of patients. Out of 40, 17 (42.5%) patients were anemic. Eighteen (18) patients who were suspected of meningitis underwent CSF analysis. Abnormality was seen in 10 patients with pleocytosis being the maximum. On CT scan, haemorrhagic infarct was seen in 22 (55%) cases followed by edema in 8 (20%) and 10% showed normal CT picture. On MRI scan, superior sagittal sinus thrombosis was observed in 24 (60%) patients followed by transverse sinus in 20 (50%) patients. Etiology factor were identified in 25 (62.5%) of patients and in 15 (37.5%) cases risk factors could not be identified. The mortality rate in the study was 20%.Conclusions: The clinical symptoms of CVT are not specific, as a result of chances of misdiagnosis tends to be more. CT scan and MRI along with MRV can improve the precision of CVT diagnosis.