BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory infections among children. AIM To investigate the proportion of RSV and non-RSV respiratory viral infections among hospitalized children ≤ 5 years. METHODS Hospitalized children aged < 5 years, with a diagnosis of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI), admitted between August 2011-August 2013, were included. Cases were defined as laboratory-confirmed RSV and non-RSV respiratory viruses by direct fluorescence assay from the nasopharyngeal wash. RESULTS Of 383 1-59 mo old children hospitalized with an acute lower respiratory infection, 33.9% (130/383) had evidence of viral infection, and RSV was detected in 24.5% (94/383). Co-infections with RSV and other respiratory viruses (influenza A or B, adenovirus, para influenza 1, 2 or 3) were seen in children 5.5% (21/383). Over 90% of the RSV-positive children were under 2 years of age. RSV was detected throughout the year with peaks seen after the monsoon season. Children hospitalized with RSV infection were more likely to have been exposed to a shorter duration of breastfeeding of less than 3 mo. RSV positive children had a shorter hospital stay, although there were significant complications requiring intensive care. Use of antibiotics was high among those with RSV and non-RSV viral infections. CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence of a high proportion of RSV and other virus-associated ALRI among hospitalized children in India. RSV infection was associated with fewer days of hospital stay compared to other causes of lower respiratory infections. A high level of antibiotic use was seen among all respiratory virus-associated hospitalizations. These results suggest the need for implementing routine diagnostics for respiratory pathogens in order to minimize the use of unnecessary antibiotics and plan prevention strategies among pediatric populations.

Scrub typhus caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi is an important cause for fever of unknown origin in endemic areas including India. The vasculitis associated with the disease leads to a variety of clinical manifestations. However, the joint involvement is quite rare and not reported in children. We present severe arthritis of hip joint associated with scrub typhus causing a diagnostic and management challenges in a 4-year-old girl.

Introduction: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an auto immune disorder affecting mainly adolescent females and young women of reproductive age. The disease is characterised by widespread inflammation of blood vessels and connective tissues due to the presence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA). There are limited number of studies from South India on paediatric lupus. Our objectives were to study the clinical and immunological features of childhood SLE along with treatment modalities and its outcome at the end of one year follow up. The correlation between various auto-antibodies and systemic involvement was also assessed. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study carried out in paediatric unit at a tertiary care centre in South India. Data was obtained through patient’s medical records. From April 2003 to April 2019, 32 children were diagnosed to have SLE as per the American college of Rheumatology 1997 criteria. Results: The study population included 32 children fulfilling the criteria. Female to male ratio was 4.3:1. The mean age at diagnosis was 11.52 years. The most common clinical manifestations were renal (87.5%) followed by haematological (81.3%), musculoskeletal (59.4%), mucocutaneous (53.1%) and nervous system (31.3%) involvement. All patients were positive for anti-nuclear antibodies. Anti-double stranded DNA (78.1%) was the most common auto-antibody profile followed by anti-ribosomal p protein (37.5%) and anti-nucleosome antibody (37.5%). During the follow up, 13 (40.6%) children attained complete remission, 10 (31.2%) went into partial remission and nine (28.1%) had persisting active disease. Conclusion: The clinical spectrum and outcome of paediatric SLE depends upon the age of presentation and number of organ systems involved at the time of diagnosis. Our study throws light on various aspects of SLE in children from developing countries like India.

Introduction: Influenza viral infection in children can range from subclinical illness to multi system involvement. The morbidity associated with influenza B viral infection is often overlooked. India being the second most populous country, accounts for 20% of global childhood deaths from respiratory infections. There is paucity of data on the clinical features and complications of influenza B viral infections in children from the Indian subcontinent. Our objective was to study the clinical profile, seasonality, complications and outcome associated with Influenza B viral infection in children < 18 years of age. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study at a tertiary care hospital in South India. Children less than 18 years of age admitted to our paediatric unit were included in the study. We reviewed the case sheets of 56 patients who tested positive for influenza B virus during the study period and recorded their clinical and laboratory data. Throat swab obtained from cases were tested by RT-PCR. The illness was classified as upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia and severe pneumonia. Outcome measures analysed were- mortality, need for oxygen supplementation or assisted ventilation, duration of oxygen support, duration of ICU/ hospital stay and time for defervescence following initiation of oseltamivir therapy. Results: The mean age of the study population was 6.98 years. Majority of the affected children were > 5 years of age in the school going category with a male to female ratio of 3:2. The diagnosis based on clinical and radiological findings included upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in 44 (78.5%) cases followed by pneumonia in 11(19.6%) and severe pneumonia in one (1.7%) child. The peak incidence was in the month of March. Malnutrition was the most common risk factor affecting 22 (39.3%) cases followed by history of asthma in eight (14.3%). Three children required oxygen supplementation at admission. The median duration of hospital stay was seven days. The median duration for defervescence following initiation of oseltamivir therapy was 24 hours. Mortality was recorded in one infant who died of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusions: Influenza B virus should be screened in all children having underlying high risk medical condition, presenting with pneumonia or upper respiratory tract infection. Oseltamivir therapy should be initiated early in the management of influenza B viral infections to prevent complications.