BACKGROUNDHearing impairment due to acute meningitis among the high-risk cases is a dreadful condition affecting development and maturation of auditory system which interferes with normal development of speech and language. Early detection of this hearing impairment and management is the key for avoiding this morbidity.The aim of the study is to assess the status of hearing impairment in paediatric patients who suffered acute meningitis. MATERIALS AND METHODSA prospective BERA study in children who were treated and discharged for acute meningitis from paediatrics department conducted in the otorhinolaryngology department, VIMS, Bellary, Karnataka, India, from December-2016 to July-2017 on simple random basis of selection in both sexes. RESULTSThis prospective study statistically shows that there are significant BERA changes noted in acute meningitis children having variation in the graph peaks & inter wave latencies, suggesting varying degrees of hearing loss with significant percentage of disability. CONCLUSIONSHearing is not a visible disability. It commonly goes undetected until it affects the child's communication in the form of speech and language or performance at home, school or in the society. This emphasizes the need for screening/detecting the cases treated for acute meningitis for the hearing impairment as well as any other high risk paediatric case, as early intervention helps the child in acquiring better speech language and communication as personality development and also it helps in social, and vocational rehabilitation.HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Sudhakar Rao MS, Bharadwaj, Rajkamal M. A study of BERA changes in acute meningitis cases of paediatric age group.

BACKGROUND Acute otitis externa is a common clinical condition seen in ENT outpatient clinic. It presents with ear pain, itching, otorrhoea, oedema or a stuffy feeling in the ear and can be localized or diffused inflammation of external auditory canal. A habit of ear pricking, swimming are the common causes for the acute otitis externa. The aim and objective of this study is to emphasizes on the comparative efficacy of local antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties of Mupirocin wick and Magsulph-Glycerine wick without systemic drug therapy on an outpatient basis. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a prospective study of 60 patients attending the outpatient clinic of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, VIMS, Bellary, between the age group of 5 years to 65 years, clinically diagnosed as acute otitis externa. They are randomly selected and divided into two equal groups. In group-I, patients are treated by placing Mupirocin wick in the external auditory canal and compares the outcome with group-II patients who are treated by placing Magsulph-glycerine wick. The clinical outcome is assessed on 3 rd , 7 th and 10 th days using the Wong-Baker faces Rating Scale], 0-10 Numerical Pain Rating Scale, questionnaire and clinical examination. RESULTS The statistical results showed that the patients in group-II [Magsulph-Glycerine wick] were relieved from the signs and symptoms early as compared to delayed recovery in group-I [Mupirocin wick]. CONCLUSION Local treatment of acute otitis externa without systemic drug therapy with Mupirocin wick and Magsulph-Glycerine wick is equally effective except for the difference in the duration of recovery.