The multi-dimensional impact on the quality of life (QOL) of families of children with the nephrotic syndrome (NS) has not been studied sufficiently in the literature. We aimed to study this aspect and the predictors of poor QOL among Indian families having children with NS. A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the parents of children with chronic NS on treatment for at least one year with parents of a matched healthy control group. The parents of both groups were asked to complete the standard self-administered multi-dimensional questionnaire of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4 (PedsQL TM ) Family Impact Module (FIM). Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed to compare scores between the two groups. Possible predictors of poor outcome in each of the summary scales among the cases were assessed by both univariate and multivariate analysis. The parents of 61 cases and 72 controls completed the PedsQL TM FIM questionnaire. The scores in each of the categories, namely FIM Total Scale Score, Parent HRQOL Summary Score, Family Functioning Summary Score and eight individual domains, were found to be significantly higher among controls. Female gender of the affected child was an independent risk factor for poor Family Functioning Summary Score. Also, presence of serious complications during the course of the disease independently predicted poor Total FIM and Parent HRQOL Summary Scores. Even a relatively benign and potentially curable chronic disorder in children, like the NS, can disturb the QOL of parents in multiple domains of functioning.

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Liver abscess (LA) is a common health problem among children in tropical countries. We conducted a prospective, observational study at a tertiary-care medical college in order to examine the clinico-socio-demographic profile and assess a possible association between certain predictors of a poor outcome in children admitted with LA. Of a total of 53 children, only 24.4% were malnourished. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism observed. Amoebic LA was noted in 7.5%. Right-sided pleural effusion was the most common complication recorded (20.7%). The most successful treatment modality was therapeutic percutaneous aspiration with antimicrobials (90.5% success). An elevated alkaline phosphatase and open surgery were associated with a poor outcome (P = 0.04 in each case). The rate of hospital admissions of children with LA remains high and most are of pyogenic origin. Of the different treatment modalities, therapeutic aspiration along with antimicrobials achieved the best results. Raised alkaline phosphatase and open surgery were predictors of a poor outcome.

Neonaticide is known to occur across the globe in both developed and developing countries, but has rarely been reported from India. Two similar cases of female neonaticide are presented which were committed by their mothers while in the maternity ward. The social issues and maternal provocation highlighted in this report are different from those reported in world reviews of neonaticide.