International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics

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https://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/156149

Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Bhaven Kataria
ISSN: 2349-3283 (Print); 2349-3291 (Online)

Frequency: Quarterly

Language: English

Open Access Peer-reviewed journal

Web site: https://www.ijpediatrics.com/

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Browsing International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics by Author "A., Pragalatha Kumar"

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    Comparative evaluation of nebulised 3% saline versus nebulised 0.9% saline in the treatment of acute bronchiolitis
    (Medip Academy, 2019-05) A., Pragalatha Kumar; Rajarathinam, Indhuja; Gowdra, Aruna
    Background: Acute bronchiolitis is the most common respiratory tract infection in young children. Despite the high prevalence of acute bronchiolitis, no consensus exists on the management. Studies have shown that except oxygen therapy, no other treatment found to be effective. Hence, the present study was conducted to find out the efficacy of nebulised 3% saline versus is 0.9% saline for the treatment of acute bronchiolitis.Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study of 150 children between the age group of 2 months to 24 months with signs and symptoms of Acute Bronchiolitis admitted to Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bangalore from January 2016 to December 2016 formed the study group, they were randomized into 2 groups, one received 3% saline nebulization and the other received 0.9% saline.Results: A total of 150 children were enrolled in the study, 75 children (group A) received 0.9% saline and 75 children (group B) received 3% saline. At 24 hours, the mean clinical severity score for group A was 2.49'1.03 and group B was 2.16'0.49 (P=0.013). The duration of hospital stay was shorter (1-3 days) in 3% saline with a mean of 2.35 days and was longer (3-5 days) in 0.9% saline with mean value of 4.04 days which was statistically significant (p <0.001).Conclusions: 3% saline nebulization can be used as an effective treatment for acute bronchiolitis. It significantly reduced the clinical severity score and length of hospital stay compared to 0.9% normal saline.
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    Role of serum hepcidin as a marker of iron overload in beta thalassemia major
    (Medip Academy, 2024-01) P., Chaithra; A., Pragalatha Kumar; G., Aruna; L., Hemalatha
    Background: Beta thalassemia major (BTM) is the most common hemolytic anemia. Regular blood transfusion is a basic treatment modality, recurrent blood transfusion which leads to iron overload and its complications. Hepcidin hormone is found to be a key regulator of iron homeostasis and is significantly increased in children of BTM with iron overload. The main objective of the study is to find out the role of serum hepcidin as a potential marker of iron overload in children with BTM, and to correlate the relationship between serum hepcidin and serum ferritin level in BTM children.Methods: This was a hospital based prospective observational study conducted at Indira Gandhi institute of child health for 12 months from January 2019 to December 2019. Included 100 children between age group of 2 months to 18 years diagnosed with BTM on blood transfusion and 50 age and sex matched healthy controls.Results: In the study group 70% children had >5 transfusions. The median serum hepcidin level (2.354 ng/ml) was significantly higher among those with higher number of total transfusions (>5 transfusions). In addition, hepcidin level showed good positive correlation with total number of transfusions (r=0.608, p<0.001). Also, serum hepcidin showed positive correlation with serum ferritin levels with 87% sensitivity and 88% specificity which was statistically significant (r=0.749, p<0.001).Conclusions: In the present study, BTM children who received >5 transfusions serum hepcidin level was significantly elevated and serum hepcidin showed positive correlation with serum ferritin levels. Thus, hepcidin can be considered as a potential marker of iron overload in patients with BTM.