BACKGROUNDAnaemia is ubiquitous and has a global prevalence, more so in developing countries. Globally, anaemia affects 1.62 billion people, which corresponds to 24.8% of the population and the highest prevalence is noted in preschool-age children (47.4%). Anaemia is a major health problem in India. Iron deficiency, the most common cause for anaemia can be effectively prevented and in case already developed, can be easily treated by simple measures. Hence, there is a dire necessity for comprehensive studies to determine the prevalence of anaemia in children. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a retrospective descriptive study conducted at Institute of Child Health, Government Medical College, Kottayam. Data pertaining to gender, age, weight, serum haemoglobin level, diagnosis that led to admission and duration of hospitalisation were collected. The WHO criteria (haemoglobin < 11 g/dL) were used to diagnose anaemia. Chi-square test was used to find the association between grades of anaemia and various study parameters. RESULTSPrevalence of anaemia was 56.1% in the study group with 28.7%, 25.3% and 2.1% as mild, moderate and severe anaemia respectively. Proportion of anaemic cases decreased with age, varying from 71.3% in children between 6 and 12 months to 31.5% in children >36 months. CONCLUSIONA large proportion of hospitalised children less than 5 years of age were found anaemic. Among all the anaemic children, iron deficiency anaemia was high and it should be considered as a public health problem.
BACKGROUNDGlomerulonephritis generally presents as a constellation of findings that includes haematuria, proteinuria and oedema. Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis is the commonest form of acute glomerulonephritis in developing countries.
BACKGROUND Malnutrition remains one of the main public health problems in India. More than half (54 percent) of all deaths before the age five in India is related to malnutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, with the addition of complementary feeds at six months with continued breastfeeds until at least the age of two. Proper breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices can prevent under five mortality by 19%. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Institute of Child Health, Government Medical College, Kottayam. Mothers of children between six and twenty four months of age who attended paediatric department were included in this study. Information on selected sociodemographic profile and complementary feeding practices were collected. Chi-square test was used to find the association between complementary feeding and various study parameters. RESULTSExclusive breastfeeding was practised by 69% of mothers. Timely initiation of complementary feeding was practised by 65.5%. 49 babies were given early initiation of complementary feeding. Only 10% mothers practised delayed initiation of complementary feeding. Home cereal was preferred by majority (64%) of study population. CONCLUSIONMajority of mothers were practising timely initiation of complementary feeding. Female literacy and socioeconomic status of the family are significantly associated with time of initiation of complementary feeding.
BACKGROUND The incidence of dengue fever has dramatically grown in the recent years. The increasing magnitude of the problem with its changing epidemiology is an important public health problem. The present study was undertaken to evaluate clinical profile, haematological parameters and outcome in children admitted in a tertiary care teaching hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective descriptive study. Children upto 12 years admitted with confirmed dengue fever were included in the study group. Case records were analysed to obtain data on clinical characteristics, haematological parameters, treatment received and outcome. RESULTS A total of 519 cases including 274 (52.8%) boys and 245 (47.2%) girls were included in the study. Of which 245 (47.2%) were dengue fever, 230 (44.3%) were dengue with warning signs and 44 (8.5%) with severe dengue as per the revised WHO 2009 case definition. Maximum number of cases were recorded in the year 2013. Fever was the most common presenting feature (100%) followed by vomiting (49.3%), though thrombocytopaenia was documented in 73% cases. A total of four children expired in the study group, the case fatality being 0.8%. CONCLUSION Dengue fever had got wide spectrum of clinical manifestations; prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment gives good recovery.
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