Objectives1. To determine the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in adults aged 18 years and above in Chandigarh, India. 2. To determine the socio-demographic factors associated with MS. 3. To determine the agreement between IDF (International Diabetes federation definition) and ATP-III (National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults criteria).MethodsIn a community based cross-sectional study, total 605 subjects aged 18 yrs and above were studied using multistage random sampling.ResultsPrevalence of Metabolic Syndrome was estimated by using IDF and ATP-III criteria. By IDF, Metabolic Syndrome was found in 287 (47.4%) subjects and it was more prevalent among females 171 (59.6%) as compared to males 116 (40.4%). By applying ATP-III overall prevalence was less i.e. 233 (38.5%) but again its prevalence was more among females 141 (44.8%) than males 116 (39.5%). Higher socioeconomic status, sedentary occupation and high body mass index were significantly associated with Metabolic Syndrome.ConclusionsMetabolic Syndrome is a major health problem in the region and proper emphasis should be given on its prevention and control.

Vaccinations are the most important intervention for controlling the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. BNT162b2 is an mRNA-based vaccine, which is promising and safe for use during pregnancy, as it could help prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications during pregnancy. Other vaccines, such as influenza and Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis) vaccines, provide significant protection for babies. Recent studies have shown that COVID-19 antibodies are present in newborns at birth, owing to maternal BNT162b2 vaccination during pregnancy; however, it is currently unclear how long these antibodies could protect infants from SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications. Herein, we present the case of a preterm baby born at 33 weeks via an emergency cesarean section owing to maternal complications. The mother had received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine at 22 and 26 weeks of gestation. Positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies were detected in the infant at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months of age. This is the first case report in which BNT162b2 vaccination during pregnancy yielded a persistent immune response in an infant at 6 months of age. The declining anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibody titers noted at 6 months of age emphasize the need for the vaccination of children at this age.

Vaccination is critical to control the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but despite the availability of safe and effective vaccine in children over 5 years, vaccination rates remain low. There is paucity of data about vaccine acceptance and factors influencing parents’ hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccine for young children. Aims and objectives To estimate vaccine acceptance by parents of children 6 months through 4 years, and to evaluate the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy. Methods Electronic survey was sent to parents of children 6 months through 4 years through an online portal account at Mayo Clinic Health System, Northwest-Wisconsin. Data were captured via Research Electronic Data Capture secured data collection software. Bivariate and multivariate regression was used to determine most pertinent factors influencing parents’ decisions against the outcome, ‘Intent to Vaccinate’. Results 39.7% of the parents were ‘very likely’ or ‘somewhat likely ’ to vaccinate their children once the vaccine became available, while 49.8% were not likely or highly unlikely to vaccinate. Routine childhood vaccination, receiving seasonal influenza vaccine, parents' perception of COVID-19 severity in children and safety and effectiveness of the vaccine were all associated with more vaccine acceptance. 71.4% of parents who will likely not vaccinate their children indicated that they are unlikely to change their decision. The need for more research on the vaccine and more information from the PCP office were the most common reasons behind the vaccine decision-making. Conclusions Vaccine hesitancy remains a major issue regarding uptake of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. Strong and clear evidence-based recommendations from primary care provider and more information from trusted websites such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can decrease vaccine hesitancy in parents. Further research targeted at understanding beliefs and perspectives of parents from different demographics can assist policy-makers in implementing measures to improve vaccination rates in children and tailor our dialogue to match the needs of our patients and families.

Infants and young children often present with a persistent febrile episode, sick appearance and negative infectious disease work-up. These patients present serious diagnostic and therapeutic problems to those who provide medical care, particularly since these children are clinically sick. We present a 13 month old child who presented with this clinical challenge. She was ultimately thought to have an incomplete form of HLH with underlying pathophysiology of hypercytokinemia, but also could have been a case of incomplete form of Kawasaki disease. She responded to IVIG, but this does not differentiate one diagnosis from another. Unfortunately we failed to obtain tests to exclude genetic etiologies of HLH, which would be important for predicting severity and risks of future recurrence. We wish to present this case so that one should do a thorough work up to establish a firm diagnosis of HLH and to search for genetic causes of this disorder.

A 2-year-old African-American male patient with sickle cell trait developed cough, red coloured urine, pallor and fatigue. The patient was hospitalised. Diagnostic workup showed that he was glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient in erythrocytes. He also had chest X-ray findings of pneumonia. His urine examination showed the presence of haemoglobin and myoglobin. On repeated questioning it was found that he had a moth ball in his mouth a few days prior to this medical episode. This case illustrates a rarely described complication of myolysis in G6PD deficient persons on exposure to a strong oxidant. A review of the literature showed that most people with G6PD deficiency tolerate exercise well without untoward effect in muscles. However, assay of myoglobin in urine has not been routinely performed in these patients during acute haemolytic episode, and thus it is uncertain how frequent myoglobulinaemia occurs in a similar stress situation.