Atharva Scientific Publications (E-Jounals)
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An observational study: Correlation of serum calcium levels in relation to phototherapy in term newborns
No full textBackground: Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most prevalent problems in neonates. Jaundice is observed during the 1st week of life in approximately 60% of term neonates and 80% of preterm neonates. Phototherapy is one of the routine methods for the management of hyperbilirubinemia. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of phototherapy on serum calcium levels in term newborns with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Materials and Methods: Full-term newborns admitted in the postnatal ward with hyperbilirubinemia were included in the study population. Serum calcium estimation was done before phototherapy and all newborns were subjected to double surface phototherapy. After 24–48 h of phototherapy, serum calcium was estimated again and compared with the earlier value. Results: A total of 50 newborns were included in the study. After phototherapy, serum calcium levels were 7.31–7.60 mg/dl in 20 newborns, 7.61–7.90 mg/dl in 19 newborns, 7.0–7.30 mg/dl in 7 newborns, and 7.91–8.20 mg/dl in 4 newborns. This reduction in calcium level was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). None of them were symptomatic. Conclusion: This implies that decrease in calcium levels is one of the major complications of phototherapy. It was also identified in the study that the babies given phototherapy for longer duration showed higher chances of hypocalcemia
To study the knowledge, attitude and practice of breastfeeding among postnatal mothers in a tertiary care center of South India
No full textBackground: Breastfeeding is physiological and ideal way of feeding the infants. It offers complete nutrition, early protection against illness, and promotes growth and development of the infant. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to study the knowledge, attitude, and practice of breastfeeding among postnatal mothers and to study the demographic and socio-economic factors associated with breastfeeding practices. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted at postnatal wards of a tertiary hospital of South India between October and November 2018. A total of 200 mothers in the postnatal wards were included in the study. Knowledge and attitude of the mothers was assessed using a scoring system. Socio-demographic data, antenatal care of mother, birth history, and breastfeeding details were used as domains of study. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0. Results: Majority (60%) of the mothers belonged to 15–25 years age group. A total of 20% of the mothers in the present study were illiterate, 51.5% of mothers were homemakers, 68% belonged to nuclear family, and 74% belonged to urban population. Among 200 postnatal mothers, 90% who delivered vaginally had knowledge regarding time of initiation of breastfeeding, 70% had knowledge regarding colostrums feeds, and 35% had knowledge regarding duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: Mothers had an average knowledge regarding breastfeeding at our center. There is a need to strengthen public health education system to promote breastfeeding. Age, education, occupation, economic status, religion, and type of family were found to be significant associates of their knowledge and attitude
Transmesenteric hernia in a peripartum patient: An unusual diagnosis
No full textCongenital transmesenteric hernia is a very rare cause of intestinal obstruction in adulthood. We report a patient who came to the emergency with persistent abdominal pain post-emergency cesarean section and subsequently diagnosed to have acute pancreatitis based on computed tomography findings and elevated pancreatic enzymes. The pain was disproportionate to the diagnosis of pancreatitis and her condition rapidly got worsened requiring multiorgan support. Reimaging revealed obstructed transmesenteric hernia. The patient required immediate surgical intervention. A high index of the suspicion of internal hernia as one of the differential diagnoses of any atypical acute abdomen and early intervention could be lifesaving
Three case reports of eosinophilic gastroenteritis with milk, wheat, and peanut food allergy
No full textEosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is an uncommon disease that can affect one or more organs of the digestive tract. EGE has a very low incidence rate and its diagnosis is challenging for any clinician. We report a case series of three cases of EGE who were evaluated for non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms and presented with an increase in eosinophils and total immunoglobulin E. The diagnosis of EGE was confirmed by histopathological findings. The causative food allergens were identified by provocation and elimination tests. The relevance of our case series lies in concomitant food allergy with the atopic constitution and the improvement of symptoms after the elimination of specific food is the mainstay for the management of EGE
A case report on unicentric form of Castleman’s disease
No full textCastleman’s disease, also known as angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia, is a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders. It is a rare disease and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Localized Castleman’s disease is almost always hyaline vascular variant type. We present the case of a 30-year-old male with swelling over the left side of the neck for 10 years which was diagnosed as Castleman’s disease on histopathology
Sensitivity pattern of Salmonella isolates from blood culture in children in a tertiary care hospital in Western Tamil Nadu
No full textBackground: Antibiotic resistance to Salmonella differs in each region. Limited studies are available on antibiotic sensitivity pattern to Salmonella in western part of Tamil Nadu. Objective: The objective of the study was to study the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Salmonella isolates in children in western part of Tamil Nadu and to analyze subspecies variation in antibiotic sensitivity. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of blood culture sensitivity reports of 89 patients with enteric fever between the ages of 1 and 18 years old who were admitted over a period of 5 years in a tertiary care center in western part of Tamil Nadu was performed. Variables such as age, gender, subtypes of Salmonella infection, and sensitivity pattern to antibiotics were analyzed. Results: All Salmonella isolates were highly sensitive to co-trimoxazole, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, and third-generation cephalosporins (nearly 100%). The highest resistance was to nalidixic acid followed by quinolones. Resistance to azithromycin was close to 15%. Overall, Salmonella paratyphi A strains showed higher resistance and Salmonella typhimurium infection was higher in infants. Conclusion: Although multidrug-resistant Salmonella is documented worldwide, the first-line drugs were highly sensitive. Azithromycin is an easy and feasible alternative, but resistance should be kept in mind. Salmonella paratyphi A infections must also to be considered in multidrug-resistant conditions