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Introduction: Learning disability in children is an assorted group of disorders where the individual unpredictably fails to proficiently attain, regain, and use information. Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of specific learning disabilities (SpLDs) such as dyslexia and dysgraphia among the Gujarati medium primary schoolchildren. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in public schools of Gujarati medium among children aged 7–12 years from the second, third, and fourth standard. After obtaining a sociodemographic profile, a multilevel screening approach that begins with the identification of educational backwardness followed by exclusion of vision, hearing impairment, chronic health conditions, and subnormal intelligence was carried out among these children. In the last stage, remaining children were subjected to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences test for SpLDs. Results: The prevalence of SpLDs was 9.6% in sampled children, whereas 7.4%, 8.6%, and 7.1% had dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, respectively. Among children diagnosed with SpLD, 65.7% (n=25/38) of children had a combination of all three types of SpLDs. Conclusions: This study suggests that the prevalence of SpLDs in public schools is the same as private schools and metro center. We have used a multilevel screening approach that can be utilized for early identification of children with SpLD by Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram team without imposing load on specialist services. There is a need for sensitization of school teacher for timely referral, remediation strategies, and policy interventions to improve school performance and to reduce dropouts of schoolchildren.

Background:During May 2009, India reported the confirmed case of 2009 A (H1N1) influenza reported and in August 2009, Saurashtra region made the first report.Aim:We describe the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of patients who were hospitalized with 2009 A (H1N1) influenza infection and seasonal influenza in Saurashtra region.Subjects and Methods:A total of 1726 patients suffering from A (H1N1) influenza and seasonal influenza were admitted in the different hospitals of Rajkot city of Saurashtra region during September 2009-February 2011. Real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) testing was used to confirm the infection. The clinico-epidemiological features of the patients were closely monitored. Data were analyzed by Chi square or Fisher's exact test, using Epi Info software (version 3.5.1) of the Center for Disease Control (CDC).Results:Among the patients hospitalized due to influenza, 29.6% (511/1726) were laboratory confirmed cases of A (H1N1) influenza while the rest 70.4% (1215/1726) were cases of seasonal influenza. A median time of 5 days was observed from the onset of illness to laboratory confirmed diagnosis of A (H1N1) influenza. The median duration of hospital stay of such patients was 2-32 days. All admitted A (H1N1) influenza patients received Oseltamivir drug, but only 14.9% (76/511) received it within 2 days of onset of illness. 24.9% (127/511) of those admitted for A (H1N1) influenza died as compared to 5.3% (65/1215) of those suffering from seasonal influenza. The most common symptoms were cough, fever, sore throat and shortness of breath in both the groups of patients. The prevalence of any coexisting morbidity in those with A (H1N1) influenza was 31.3% (160/511) while in those with seasonal influenza it was 19.4% (236/1215). The common coexisting morbidities were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary diseases and pregnancy. Pneumonia was reported in 91% positive patients with chest radiography.Conclusion:Though the clinico-epidemiological pattern of the A (H1N1) influenza patients were comparable to that of those suffering from seasonal influenza, a fivefold higher mortality was noted in A (H1N1) influenza patients. Hypertension, pregnancy, pneumonia on chest X-ray, and receiving antiviral treatment within 2 days of illness onset were mainly reported among A (H1N1) influenza patients.

SUMMARYWe have developed the tablet formulation of Triticum aestivum (wheatgrass) and investigated clinically, its effects in patients suffering from b-thalassemia (major) at K. T. Children Hospital, Civil Hospital, Rajkot. The tablets (wheatgrass powder 250 mg.) were given 3 times in a day for 9 months. Blood samples were collected at the start, after 6 months and 9 months and analyzed for various biochemical and hematological parameters. Treatment with wheatgrass formulation for 9 months produced significant decrease in hemoglobin, total RBC, eosinophil and reticulocyte counts. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were significantly increased was significantly increased. The serum ferritin was also significantly decreased. There was no influence on serum magnesium, serum iron and Thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS). Our data indicate that treatment with wheatgrass on patients with ß-thalassemia (major) may have beneficial effects in the form of a decrease in ineffective erythropoiesis, stimulation of hemoglobin synthesis in RBC, decrease in iron load and decrease in eosinophil count.