Sheetal Agarwal

Pericardial Effusion in Children: Experience from Tertiary Care Center in Northern India.

ObjectiveTo describe profile and outcome in children with significant pericardial effusion.MethodsHospital records of 25 children admitted with significant pericardial effusion during January 2010 to March 2013 were analyzed.ResultsThirteen (52%) children had tubercular, 6 (24%) had bacterial, 3 viral, 2 recurrent idiopathic and one had malignant pericardial effusion. Only 3 children in our series required surgical drainage.ConclusionsEchocardiography guided percutaneous pericardiocentesis and pigtail catheter placement was found to be safe and effective.

A prospective study of haematological changes after switching from stavudine to zidovudine-based antiretroviral treatment in HIV-infected children

Long-term use of stavudine is associated with a high incidence of lipodystrophy, warranting its substitution with zidovudine in first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens. In a prospective observational study, we determined the spectrum and severity of haematological changes after switching from stavudine- to zidovudine-based ART in Indian children aged 2–18 years who had received a stavudine-based ART regimen for at least 48 weeks. They were followed for 48 weeks for changes in haematological parameters and CD4 cell counts after switching to zidovudine. Of the 60 children analysed, 45 (75%) showed a significant fall in Hb (>1 g/dl). A majority developed grade 1 anaemia (14 [31%]) while only three (6%) developed grade 4 anaemia. The lowest Hb was recorded between 12 and 16 weeks with spontaneous improvement noticed after 28 weeks. A significant drop in absolute neutrophil count (5067 cells/mm3 to 3625 cells/mm3; p = 0.004) was also observed but none developed severe neutropenia. No significant changes were observed in platelet and CD4 cell counts. Since the incidence of severe drug toxicity was low with zidovudine and the majority of children recovered without intervention, drug toxicity should not preclude its routine use in poor countries.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome in a neonate due to possible transfusion-related acute lung injury

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a potentially life-threatening complication of blood component transfusion. It is relatively underdiagnosed entity in neonates with scant literature. We report a case of TRALI in a preterm neonate developing acute respiratory distress within 6 h of blood product transfusion in the absence of preexisting lung disease. Prompt ventilator and supportive management were instituted. The baby showed clinical and radiological improvement within 12 h; however, he succumbed to death due to acute massive pulmonary hemorrhage 36 h later. Possibility of TRALI should be kept if there is sudden deterioration of lung function after blood transfusion.

Pulmonary Agenesis with Dextrocardia and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: FirstCase Report

Pulmonary agenesis is a rare condition with complete absence of bronchus, lung tissue and vessels. A variety of cardiovascular defects are present in upto 1/3 rd cases of pulmonary agenesis. However, a combination of dextrocardia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in association with pulmonary agenesis is not known. Here we report the first case of a neonate presenting with respiratory distress since birth, diagnosed to have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in association with dextrocardia, multiple cardiac defects and right lung agenesis. Association of heart disease with lung agenesis adversely affects the course and outcome making them a highly lethal association

Correlation of induced sputum eosinophil levels with clinical parameters in mild and moderate persistent asthma in children aged 7–18 years

ABSTRACT Background: Treatment decisions in asthma are currently based on clinical assessment and spirometry. Sputum eosinophil, being a marker of airway inflammation, can serve as a tool for assessing severity and response to treatment in asthma patients. Objectives: To measure eosinophil percentage in induced sputum in children with asthma and correlate it with clinical asthma parameters. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed at tertiary care hospital on 91 children aged 7–18 years with newly diagnosed mild or moderate persistent asthma. Theinduced sputum eosinophil percentage was obtained at the time of enrollment and three months after treatment with inhaled budesonide. Patients were specifically evaluated for five clinical parameters of asthma, i.e., days of acute exacerbations, use of salbutamol as rescue medication, emergency visits, nighttime cough and days of school absence. Results: Sputum eosinophil percentage was high (3.1 ± 0.515%) at the time of enrollment which reduced significantly after three months of inhaled budesonide therapy [0.06 ± 0.164% (p < 0.0005)]. Children with moderate persistent asthma had significantly higher values of sputum eosinophil levels than children with mild persistent asthma at the time of enrollment (3.38 ± 0.64% vs. 2.99 ± 0.42%, p = 0.001) but the difference was not significant after three months of inhaled steroid therapy (0.07 ± 0.18 vs. 0.04 ± 0.12, p = 0.5104). A significant negative correlation was found between reduction in sputum eosinophil levels and improvement in FEV1 (r = −0.400, p = 0.0001). All the clinical asthma parameters also correlated significantly with the reduction in sputum eosinophil levels after three months of inhaled steroid therapy. Conclusion: Eosinophil levels in induced sputum correlate well with clinical asthma parameters and asthma severity in children. It is a simple, noninvasive and cheap method which can be used for the monitoring of asthma in a resource-limited setting.

Diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis presenting as congestive heart failure

Diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis is a rare condition with a very high mortality rate if left untreated. We report a neonate having around 490 cutaneous and multiple diffuse liver hemangiomas presenting as congestive heart failure. Prompt treatment was instituted with decongestive drugs and prednisolone for anticipated life threatening complications due to hepatic hemangiomas. Propranolol was added later as it is known to precipitate congestive failure and also to avoid long-term complications of steroids. The child responded well. However, there is no consensus regarding the initial line of management, which needs to be individualized keeping in mind the efficacy, long-term side effects of the drug and the clinical presentation.

A Randomized Trial Comparing Efficacy of Bubble and Ventilator Derived Nasal CPAP in Very Low Birth Weight Neonates with Respiratory Distress

INTRODUCTION Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) has an established role in the care of Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) babies with respiratory distress. Bubble CPAP (BCPAP) is a cheap alternative for countries where resources are limited. However, data comparing efficacy of BCPAP with conventional ventilator derived (VCPAP) is limited. AIM To compare CPAP failure rates between BCPAP and VCPAP among VLBW, with moderate respiratory distress. Secondary objectives were to compare the rates of Intraventricular Haemorrhage (IVH), pulmonary air leaks and deaths between the two groups and determine the predictors of CPAP failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS VLBW babies with moderate respiratory distress (Silverman Anderson score 4-7), born or admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) within 28 days of life were randomized to receive either BCPAP (n=34) or VCPAP (n=34). CPAP failure rate in both the groups was compared. RESULTS The baseline characteristics were similar in both the groups. Five out of 34 (14.70%) babies in BCPAP group and 11 out of 34 (32.35%) in VCPAP failed CPAP (p=0.08). IVH (BCPAP group 24% and VCPAP group 9%, p= 0.10) and mortality (BCPAP group 6% and VCPAP group 9%, p=0.642) were comparable in both the groups. Factors such as gestational age <30 weeks, weight <1000 grams, Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), shock, pulmonary haemorrhage, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) and multi-organ dysfunction were significantly associated with CPAP failure in our study. CONCLUSION The CPAP failure rates in VLBW babies with moderate respiratory distress were found to be similar whether bubble CPAP or ventilator CPAP was used. There was no difference in complication rates of IVH or mortality with either method of CPAP.