Background:Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood and a major health problem not only in India but globally. Despite multifold increase in prevalence, there is paucity of data on bronchial asthma from non-metro cities. The objectives were to find prevalence of bronchial asthma and various risk factors that are associated in this age group and determine the extent of under diagnosis.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study involving 927 students from four government and three private schools was conducted using International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire.Results:Prevalence of bronchial asthma in adolescents was 13.1% (n = 121) of which 10.3% had episodes in the past 1 year. Prevalence was higher among males (8.77%) compared to females (4.33%). About 77.7% of total asthmatics were newly diagnosed cases. Prevalence was significantly higher among those having pets at home (P < 0.001), belonging to higher socioeconomic status (P = 0.021), using smoke-producing fuel at home (firewood/cow dung/kerosene; P = 0.032), and with history of smoking among family members (P = 0.035). Among current asthmatics, 72.3% reported cold/rhinitis (54.6% in March–May duration), 63.6% nocturnal dry cough, 50.5% sleep disturbances, and 38.9% speech disturbances in the past 1 year.Conclusion:The study shows higher prevalence of bronchial asthma in school-going population (11–16 years) compared to other parts of Northern India possibly attributable to rapid industrialization and post harvesting season when the study was carried out. Preventive interventions need to be taken to reduce disease burden at community level.
Context:
Acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) is a major cause of morbidity in developing countries like India. AGN includes both infectious and non infectious causes leading to immunological insult to the kidney.
Aims:
This study is an attempt to evaluate the clinical characteristics, complications and outcome of acute glomerulonephritis.
Settings and Design:
This hospital based descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in North India. Materials and Methods: 50 children with AGN were recruited and analyzed over a period of one year. Detailed clinical examination and relevant laboratory investigations were done. Children were followed up for 6 months.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Data analysis was done using SPSS software and the results obtained are shown in the form of frequencies along with percentages.
Results:
50 patients were enrolled in the study with male to female ratio of 1.72:1. Pharyngitis was the most common predisposing condition (70.2%). 22(40.4%) of patients had developed complications. Of this acute kidney injury with significant pulmonary edema was seen in 16 patients and 6 patients had encephalopathy with seizures. Two patients had to be managed with hemodialysis. 42 patients had positive CRP (>10) and ASO titres were >200 Todd units in all patients. At 6 months’ majority of patients had complete clinical recovery with microscopic hematuria present only in 8 patients, persistent hypertension in 2 patients, 8 patients had proteinuria. These patients are being still followed up.
Conclusions:
Complications and morbidity is significantly high during the acute phase in AGN. Non infectious causes should also be kept in mind. This study highlights the complications requiring intensive care and need for long term follow up.
Short course therapy with cefuroxime axetil suspension may offer an effective alternative treatment to conventional regimens, with potential for better compliance and reduced costs.
Background and Aims:Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for sore throat in developing countries, that in turn leads to huge healthcare expenditure and their irrational use may lead to antimicrobial resistance in the community. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of environmental factors on the frequency of occurrence of group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) sore throat and to work out enhancing effect on the sensitivity and specificity and positive predictive value of the signs and symptoms of GABHS sore throat for facilitation of rational antibiotic use.Settings and Design:This was a prospective, cross sectional study conducted over period of one year in Pediatric Outpatient Department (OPD) of a Tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods:All the children between the age of 5 years and 15 years of age presenting in OPD with the signs and symptoms of sore throat were included in the study.Statistical Analysis Used:Statistical analysis was carried out by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software and statistical tests of Pearson's Coefficient, Chi-square Test, Fischer's Test, Likelihood Ratio, Odds Ratio, and ROC Curve were applied.Results:Out of 225 children of the study group, 153 (68%) of the children were in the 5-10 years’ age group. Positive throat swab culture was found to be positively associated with high grade fever, pain in throat while swallowing, severely enlarged tonsils, tender lymphadenopathy, poor housing condition, fuel used for cooking, and presence of smoker in house.Conclusions:The study stresses on the need of carefully evaluating children presenting with the symptoms of sore throat as majority of the cases may be viral and thus, self-limiting. Poor housing conditions and indoor pollution contribute to the increased prevalence of sore throat.
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