Background:The increase in invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is jeopardizing the survival of preterm neonates. Probiotics modulating the intestinal microflora of preterm neonates may minimize enteral fungal colonization.Aims:This study was to examine whether probiotic supplementation in neonates reduced fungal septicemia.Materials and Methods:This prospective, randomized, double blind trial investigating the supplementation of preterm infants with a probiotic was done from May 2012 to April 2013, with 112 subjects randomized into two groups. Primary outcome: Decreased fungal colonization in gastrointestinal tract. Others: Incidence of late onset septicemia; duration of the primary hospital admission; number of days until full enteral feeds established.Results:Full feed establishment was earlier in probiotics group compared to placebo group (P = 0.016). The duration of hospitalization was less in the probiotic group (P = 0.002). Stool fungal colonization, an important outcome parameter was 3.03 ± 2.33 × 105 colony formation units (CFU) in the probiotics group compared to 3 ± 1.5 × 105 CFU in the placebo group (P = 0.03). Fungal infection is less in the study group (P = 0.001).Conclusion:The key features of our study were reduced enteral fungal colonization, reduce invasive fungal sepsis, earlier establishment of full enteral feeds, and reduced duration of hospital stay in the probiotics group.

Background:The spectrum of liver dysfunction in children with dengue infection is wide and has been associated with disease severity.Aims:This study was undertaken to estimate the range of hepatic involvement in dengue infection in children.Materials and Methods:This study assessed the biochemical and clinical profile of hepatic involvement by dengue virus in 120 children with serologically positive dengue fever (DF), aged 2 months to 14 years.Results:All cases were grouped into DF without warning signs (Group 1), DF with warning signs (Group 2) and severe dengue (Group 3) according to revised World Health Organization 2009 criteria. The spectrum of hepatic manifestations included hepatomegaly (80.8%), hepatic tenderness (46.3%), jaundice (60%), raised aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and prolonged prothrombin time (41.7%) and reduced serum albumin (56%).Conclusions:Hepatic dysfunction was observed more in Groups 2 and 3. There was 84.4% and 93.75% ALT and AST elevation respectively in Group 2 and 94.5% and 95.9% ALT and AST elevation respectively in Group 3 and fulminant hepatic failure was observed in Group 3. Therefore in a child with fever, jaundice, hepatomegaly and altered liver function tests, the diagnosis of dengue infection should be strongly considered in areas where dengue infection is endemic.

Background:Bacterial sepsis is one of the major causes of mortality in newborn infants. Mortality increases when sepsis is associated with neutropenia.Materials and Methods:We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on preterm neonates (gestational age (GA) <34 weeks) with sepsis and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of <1500 cells/mm3. Mortality, duration of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stay, hematological parameters (ANC, platelet count, and total leukocyte count) were compared between the two groups. The GCSF group (n=39) received GCSF intravenously in a single daily dose of 10 μg/kg/day in a 5% dextrose solution over 20-40 min for three consecutive days, while the control group (n=39) received placebo of an equivalent volume of 5% dextrose.Results:Baseline demographic profile among the two groups was comparable. Mortality rate in the GCSF group was significantly lower than in the control group (10% vs. 35%; P<0.05). By day 3 of treatment, ANC in the GCSF group was significantly higher (3521±327) compared to 2094±460 in the control group, with P value being <0.05. Duration of NICU stay also decreased significantly in the GCSF group.Conclusion:The administration of GCSF in preterms with septicemia and neutropenia resulted in lower mortality rates. Further studies are required to confirm our results and establish this adjunctive therapy in neonatal sepsis.

The normative values generated can serve as reference standard in the diagnosis of penile length abnormalities in Indian babies and in clarifying issues of ambiguous genitalia and maldevelopment of male external genitalia.

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