Mahishma K

Abstract

Introduction: Infant feeding practices are critical determinants of survival, growth and development during infancy. Breast feeding is required for child survival, birth spacing and prevention of childhood infections. Introduction: Complementary feeding is essential from six months of age while continuing breast feeding to meet the needs of the growing baby. Objective: To study the existing practices of complementary feeding and assess the knowledge and practice gap. Study design: Hospital based, cross-sectional, descriptive study. Setting: In a tertiary care teaching hospital of rural Telangana. Total 140 mothers with children in the age group of 6-23 months of age. Materials and Methods: Participants were randomly selected after informed consent. Data regarding currently following complementary feeding practices was collected in the predesigned, semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed. Only 56.4% of mothers in the current study initiated feeds at recommended time. Demand feeding was practiced by only 53%. A detailed analysis on the practice of clean feeding methods showed only 37.1% followed cleaning of hands before feeding. Only 28.6% have gained knowledge on infant feeding practices from a qualified person. A majoirty of them followed cultural practices (23.6%) and advices from friends and relatives (40%). Thus, Information, Health education and Communication activities are required to improve breast feeding and weaning practices especially among the low-socio-economic and rural groups. Conclusions: A detailed analysis on the practice of clean feeding methods showed only 37.1% followed cleaning of hands before feeding. Since good complimentary feeding practices helps in the overall growth and development of child, there should be renewed focus on public health education regarding this in the form of advisory to new parents while discharge from the hospital, regular advisories from community health care workers in the rural areas to the parents.   Keywords: Complementary feeding, Quality, Quantity, Frequency

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Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection in febrile children, less than 5 years of age. To assess the validity of microscopic urine analysis and urine culture in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Children attending   the department of paediatrics, Dr.V.R.K. Women’s Medical College, Teaching Hospital & Research Centre, with febrile illness during June 2019-June 2020. 370 children between 1 month to 5 years of age. Materials and Methods: Data related to age, sex, nutritional status, socioeconomic status and predisposing risk factors like urethral instrumentation, bowel habits etc, were noted. A thorough physical examination with relevant investigations were carried out in all these patients. Routine urinary microscopy was done in all patients and urine culture was done in those who showed pyuria of >5 pus cells/HPF in centrifuged urine sample. Results: In our study, overall prevalence of UTI was 3.5% in children between 1 month to 5 yrs and 4.1% in children 10 pus cells/HPF in centrifuged sample of urine and 2.5% in those who showed >5pus cells/HPF. Conclusions: The presence of obvious source of fever such as upper respiratory tract infection or otitis media is not reliable in excluding urinary tract infection. Overall prevalence of UTI in our study was low (3.5%) and prevalence among children 5pus cells/HPF (centrifuged urine sample) should be considered as significant and further evaluation should be done to initiate prompt treatment. Keywords: Children, Infants, UTI, Prevalence, Pyuria

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Abstract

Diastematomyelia or Split cord syndrome is a rare form of spinal dysraphism characterized by longitudinal splitting of spinal cord, conus medullaris or filum terminale to a variable extent. Presence of SCM is suggested by certain superficial markers like skin pigmentation, hemangioma, lipoma, dermal sinus and hypertrichosis. Meningocele or myelomenigocele may also be present. Affected children usually present with progressive sensorimotor symptoms and bowel and bladder dysfunction. Development of sensorimotor symptoms and progressive loss of function emphasis the need for antenatal diagnosis of the spinal deformities which paves way for early intervention and management thus minimizing the morbidity.   Keywords: Diastematomyelia, Syrinx, Tethered cord, Newborn

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