Objective:To determine the efficacy of probiotic (Lactobacillus Paracasei, LP-33) and compare it with cetirizine for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis in under five year’s children.Methods:The randomised clinical trial was conducted at Kharadar General Hospital, Karachi, from Dec 2016 to Nov 2017. Children aged 6 to 60 months, clinically presented with allergic rhinitis were included in the study. Total 212 children, randomized into intervention group A (received probiotic LP-33) and control group B (received cetirizine) for six weeks, were included in the analysis. Baseline allergic rhinitis symptoms (rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal blocking, coughing, feeding & sleeping difficulties) were assessed after two and six weeks follow up and correlated both groups by using Pearson chi-square test. A p value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results:Total 212 children were analysed, out of them 113 (53.3%) were male. Mean age of study participant was 26 ± 16.64 months and mean body weight was 10.1 ± 3.26 Kg. More than 95% cases have shown significant improvement in their baseline symptoms (rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal blocking, coughing, feeding difficulties and sleeping difficulties) in both intervention (L-33 Probiotic) and control (Cetirizine) groups. Statistically there was no difference in effectiveness of probiotic and cetirizine treatment for perennial allergic rhinitis (P > 0.05).Conclusions:Probiotic (LP-33) was equally effective as cetirizine in under five year’s children for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. Probiotic has additional benefit to treat allergic rhinitis without causing any major side effect in children reported by the study.

Objective:To determine the clinical presentation, diagnostic investigations and laboratory workup done in admitted children with cystic fibrosis at Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Pakistan.Methods:This is athree years retrospective study from January 2013 to December 2015 conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi Pakistan, enrolling admitted patient from birth to 15 years of either gender, diagnosed with CF on the basis of clinical features and positive sweat chloride test. Different clinical presentations were noted including initial presentations. Sweat chloride values more than 60mmol/L were labeled as positive and consistent with diagnosis of CF. Available Delta F-508 mutation analyses were noted. Relevant laboratory and radiological investigations including sputum culture and HR-CT chest findings were documented. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results:Total 43 children were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Chronic cough (69.76%) was the most common initial clinical presentation. Mean age at onset of symptoms was 14.41± 26.18 months and mean age at diagnosis was 47.20 ± 45.80 months Respiratory features were most common in our cohort including chronic productive cough (90.71%), recurrent bronchopneumonia (72.09%) and asthma like presentation (44.19%) with wheezing and cough. 86% patients presented with failure to thrive. Gastroenterological features including steatorrhea were seen in 55.81% patients and 44.19% patients had abdominal distension. Mean sweat chloride value in our population was 82.70± 22.74. Gene analysis for Delta F-508 was identified in 12 (27.90%) patients. Bronchiectatic pulmonary changes on HRCT were seen in 18 patients (41.86%). Pseudomonas grew in 12 patients (27.90%) in sputum cultures at the time of diagnosis.Conclusion:Respiratory presentations predominate in CF children followed by gastrointestinal features. Nearly half of our patient had bronchiectatic changes on CT scan chest and more than quarter had pseudomonas colonization in the airways at the time of diagnosis. Delta F-508 mutation was found to be uncommon in our study population. There is significant delay in diagnosing patients with CF.

Introduction: The lumbar puncture is frequently used in medical facilities to collect data on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The method aids in the diagnosis of conditions affecting the spine and brain's central nervous system. However, in routine practice out of the many challenges posed by the parents due to lack of education, denial of consent for this procedure is a great challenge at clinical settings. Objectives: To determine the association of various factors with parental refusal for lumbar puncture among pediatric population (age from 1 moth to 18 years). Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out at the department of pediatrics and child health and department of Emergency at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from June 2017 to May 2018. A total of 178 children 1 month to 18 years old admitted with febrile fits, suspected meningitis or encephalitis who were advised for lumber puncture were included. Results: In the present study, the age of the patients ranged from 1 month to 18 year. Majority of the patients 153 (85.39%) were between 1 month to 6 years of age. There were 115 (64.61%) male patients.. Fever and fits was the most frequent indication (n=151, 84.83%) for lumber puncture in the study. Most of the parents were educated, 68.54% of mothers and 65.17% fathers had graduate level of education, and parents of 47 (26.4%) patients refused for lumber puncture. Conclusion: This study concluded that frequency of parental refusal for lumbar puncture was 26.4% and the most common reason for refusal was fear of complications. Keywords: lumbar puncture, febrile seizures, parental refusal.