No abstract

Background: Poisoning is one of the most common causes for mortality and morbidity in children. Knowledge about the demographic profile, clinical characteristics and outcome of children hospitalized with poisoning will aid in better case management and optimizing appropriate preventive measures. Methods: A retrospective study of poisoning in children was conducted at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, between January 2016 to June 2020. Clinical profile and outcome details were entered in standardized proforma and descriptive analysis was performed. Results: Poisoning accounts for nearly 0.7% of total paediatric admissions. Eighty eight percent of accidental poisoning occurred in children younger than five years of age. Kerosene (50%) and drugs (15%) are the leading causes of poisoning in children. Twenty three percent (23%) of children with Kerosene poisoning had chemical pneumonitis. The average length of hospital stays for children hospitalized for poisoning was 2 days. Conclusions: Children under five years of age are more prone for accidental poisoning. Kerosene is the commonest cause of poisoning in children. This study highlights the importance of creating public awareness about poisoning in children and the need for sensitising parents about the appropriate preventive measures.

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug used to treat infections caused by Herpes virus. Acyclovir is known to cause systemic and local adverse reactions. Local adverse reactions include inflammatory reactions at infusion site. We case report a child with vesicular eruptions at and away from infusion site due to IV acyclovir. It is quite a rare finding, as only few such cases have been reported till now in literature.

Background: Malaria alone is responsible for major proportion of morbidity and mortality in children. Most cases of malaria are due to P.vivax. P.vivax has always been considered benign but recent studies and molecular studies are giving evidences towards increasing virulence and severity of P.vivax Aims and objective: Aim of this study was to observe severe malaria caused by P.vivax in comparison to Falciparum and mixed malarial infections. Other added aim was to observe for concomitant bacterial infections, how it affects clinical outcome and role of antibiotics in such cases of severe malaria. Materials and methods: This was a hospital based study conducted in a tertiary care center in Uttar Pradesh. Patients were tested for malaria using Peripheral blood smear and Rapid malaria antigen test. Total of 200 cases of severe malaria were enrolled in study. Patients were categorized as severe malaria on basis of WHO guidelines. Results: Of 200 cases of severe malaria, 130 (65%) had P.vivax infection, 31 (15.5%) had falciparum infection and 39 (19.5%) had mixed infection with both the species. Noteworthy results observed in cases of severe malaria with P.vivax infections were cerebral malaria (29.2%), severe anemia (26.9 %), severe thrombocytopenia (7.6%) and mortality (13%). Almost 15 % of total patients had concomitant bacterial infections that contributed significantly towards morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. Conclusion: From our study we observed that P.vivax cannot more be considered benign and needs quick diagnosis, prompt treatment and should be observed for complications. Antibiotics use should be considered in severe malaria.