Introduction: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been recognized as a public health problem in India Enlargement of thyroid gland is the common manifestation of the IDD and goiter prevalence survey is used as diagnostic tool for identifying areas of IDD. Failure to undertake early detection and intervention measure results in secondary disabling conditions. Aim: In the present study we have estimated the prevalence of goiter in the age group of 6-12 years in district Bandipura of Jammu and Kashmir state, India and have assessed type of salt consumed by the population. Material and Methods: This was a Cross-sectional study conducted in Bandipura district of J and K state and the study was conducted between July 2018 to October 2018. Sampling method was Gender stratified cluster sampling technique and the sample size was based on a goiter prevalence of 30% and 95% confidence interval. 30 clusters were selected and each cluster included 90 children. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and then analyzed using appropriate statistical software. Data was interpreted using percentages, means and SD. Results: The prevalence of grade 1 and grade 2 goitre in males was 35.6% and 15.1% respectively whereas it was 30.8% and 15.1% in females and the prevalence was more in males to the extent of 52.08% and in girls it was 49.23%. Goitre was found to be highest (51.7%) in subjects 12 years of age and lowest (40.6%) in subjects aged 7 years of age. There was a significantly higher goitre prevalence in children who consumed crystalline/non-iodised salt than in children consuming iodised salt. The TGR was 61.4% and 46.9% in children consuming non-iodised and iodised salt respectively Conclusion: We conclude our study with the finding that population of Bandipura district in the north Kashmir is severely iodine deficient. We recommended a major thrust in the implementation of NIDDCP in the said district with regular and continuous monitoring of iodine status.

Introduction: In paediatric patients blood stream infection (BSI) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity. The emerging of causative agents and resistance to various antimicrobial agents are increased from time to time. The aim of this study was to describe the microbiological characteristics of BSI in paediatric patients (<12 years). Neonates were excluded. Material and Methods: Data was collected from paediatric patients who had BSI. Blood culture was done in BacT Alert 3D. Isolates from these patients were identified on Vitek II Compact. Study was done between from January 2018 to December 2018 at Paediatric hospital GMC Srinagar. Results: A total of 120 patients had BSI. All episodes were monomicrobial.78 (65%) were males and 42 (35%) were females. 67 (56%) of the isolates were Gram positive bacteria and 53 (44%) were Gram negative. The commonest Gram positive bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus 52 (78%) followed by Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS) 8 (12%), Enterococcus fecalis 4(6%) and Streptococcus pneumonia 3(4%). Conclusion: Majority of the isolates were multidrug resistant. These higher percentages of multi-drug resistant emerged isolates urge us to take infection prevention measures and to conduct other large studies for appropriate empiric antibiotic choice.

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