Journal Issue: Volume: 33, No. 1 (2013)
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2013
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ISSN 1990-7974 eISSN 1990-7982
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Articles
Assessment of Nutritional Status: A Case of Tribal Children in Assam, Northeast India
(Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS), 2013) Singh, J; Mondal, N
Abstract:
Introduction: Thinness is a major underlying problem among children and adolescents in the developing countries including India. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of nutritional status among the Sonowal Kachari children aged 6-18 years of Dibrugarh district of Assam, Northeast India.
Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional data on height and weight measurements were collected among 1343 (670 boys, 673 girls) children belonging to Sonowal Kachari tribal ethnic group using multi-stage stratified sampling procedure. The Body Mass Index {BMI=weight (kg)/height2 (m2)} was calculated. The new international cut-off points of Cole et al. were used to classify the magnitude of thinness.
Results: The overall mean BMI was found to be significantly higher among girls than the boys (p<0.01). The overall prevalence of thinness was observed to be 25.99% (28.08% boys, 23.92% girls) (p>0.05). The prevalence of thinness was generally higher in the early age (6-11 years), but thereafter decreased with age in both sexes.
Conclusion: The results of the present study clearly indicate that the nutritional status of these children is unsatisfactory. Nutritional intervention in terms of a comprehensive supplementary balanced diet and micronutrient rich or protective foods should be introduced to ameliorate the nutritional status.
Bacteriological Profile of Sepsis Outbreak in the NICU of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Nepal
(Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS), 2013) Malla, KK; Malla, T; Rao, KS
Abstract:
Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a serious problem for the neonates who are admitted to the intensive care and outbreak of sepsis is not uncommon. This paper aims to describe a sepsis outbreak as a result of too many admissions, overcrowding of babies with limited working staffs in the unit and compares microorganisms with their antibiogram in newborn and environmental samples.
Materials and Methods: Prospective observational study from 1st April -15th August 2011 in Neonatal Intensive Care unit of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara and included all babies admitted for sepsis.
Results: There were 103 (57.22%) episodes of neonatal septicemia (Term =47.8%; Preterm = 84.8% p<0.001), 14/20, 70% of whom died of sepsis. 47.52% had early onset sepsis and 52.42% had late onset sepsis and 39.8% had nosocomial infection. The predominant isolates in newborn (NB) were E. coli, staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia and in environmental sample it was Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus. aureus. Imipenem, Vancomycin, Netilmycin, Tobramycin and chloramphenicol were sensitive (S-100%) while Carbenicillin and Piperacillin, Ampicillin, most cephalosporins, Penicillin were resistant (R-100%) to organisms in newborn and environmental samples. Other S-100% antibiotics for newborn were Ceftazidime, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamycin while S-100% for environmental sample isolates were Cephoperazone, Cloxacillin, Cefuroxime and Tetracycline. Other (R – 100%) antibiotics for newborn were Amoxicillin and Amoxyclav and for environmental sample were Gentamycin and Erythromycin.
Conclusions: Sepsis is a severe problem for neonates. Periodic evaluation of bacterial antibiotic susceptibility and judicious selection of antibiotics is necessary to reduce the resurgence of multidrug resistant strains.
Comparative Analysis of Birth Weight in a Hospital Over a Decade: Low Birth Weight Still a Major Problem Authors
(Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS), 2013) Sachdeva, S; Nanda, S; Sachdeva, R
Abstract:
Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare the magnitude of birth weight and proportion of low birth weight in a hospital over a decade.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was undertaken in a public funded hospital catering to rural and urban population of northern India. Pertinent information was collected for all intramural singleton births using structured proforma for a sample period in a calendar year. For comparison purpose birth data was extracted from log books for the corresponding period of previous decade also. Data management was done using MS excel sheet and analysis carried out by computing descriptive statistics using software statistical package.
Results: The mean (2568 + 596.7 gm) & median (2600 gm) birthweight recorded for 2011 was low in-comparison to 2657 + 581.7gm (2750 gm) for 2001. The prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) was 36.1% (2011) in comparison to 30.5% (2001) and the state of deterioration was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). Higher proportion of LBW birth was observed amongst un-booked ANC, pre-term, anemic mothers and whose residence was from outside the district of location of study institute (<0.001). Statistically significant (<0.001) and higher perinatal mortality was noticed in LBW neonates. Rising level of maternal education was protective against LBW. Mothers with their first pregnancy gave higher proportion of LBW births in comparison to mothers with higher gravida status (<0.001).
Concern About the Association Between Sex and Birth Weight of Babies: A Cross-Sectional Randomized Finding From a Nigerian Hospital
(Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS), 2013) Ahmadu, BU; Abubakar, IH; Halima, A; Ruqayya, A; Suleiman, GM
Abstract:
Introduction: Sexual antagonism is seen particularly where maternally and paternally derived alleles battle over fetal growth, which may result in sex differences regarding birth weight of babies. We examined the association between sex and birth weight of babies in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Materials and Methods: One hundred babies selected by systematic random sampling had their birth weights determined using bassinet weighing scale. Likelihood ratio chi-square test of association was used to investigate the relationship between sex and birth weight.
Results: A total of 100 babies participated in this study. There were 53 (53.0 %) males and 47 (47.0 %) females giving a male to female ratio of 1.1:1. Majority of the babies 82 (82.0 %) had normal birth weight (2500 – 3900 g). The mean (SD) birth weight for male and female babies were 313 (62), 95 CI (296 – 330 g), and 290 (055), 95 CI (275 – 307 g) respectively. The overall mean (SD) birth weight of the babies was 302 (0.59), 95 CI (291 – 314 g). Association between birth weight and sex of the babies was found to be significant (χ2 = 9.317, p = 0.025).
Conclusion: Birth weight was significantly associated with sex: males had higher birth weights than females.
Effect of Distraction Technique During Immunization to Reduce Behaviour Response Score (FLACC) to Pain in Toddlers
(Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS), 2013) Gedam, DS; Verma, M; Patel, U; Gedam, S
Abstract:
Introduction: Distraction techniques are important non pharmacological tools to reduce pain in infants and children. Few data are available regarding their effectiveness in toddlers. We have assessed effectiveness of audio-visual distraction techniques in toddlers during and after vaccination.
Materials and Methods: The study used a quasi experimental three group pretest post test design. For all the three groups, the injections were administered by same staff nurse. Group- 1 (120 Patient) was encouraged to see and play with light and sound producing toy. Group- 2 (120 Patient) children were encouraged to see cartoon movie and children of control group- 3 (110 patient) were immunized without any distraction technique. A question form was used to determine the infant’s characteristics and the Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Pain Scale was used to assess the level of pain. Data was collected between 1st April 2012 and 30th September 2012.
Results: The mean pain score of test group during procedure (Group-1: 2.30 & Group-2: 3.65) were lower than the score of control group (Group-3: 5.30). Similarly after procedure Score (Group-1: 4.62 & Group-2: 2.79) were lower than the score of control group (Group-3: 6.20).
Conclusion: The lower pain score in response to vaccination in test group indicates that distraction technique i.e. light & sound producing toys and cartoon movies are practical way to reduce pain during routine medical interventions in toddler.