No abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of hypoglycemia and its increased risk of morbidity and mortality in preterm newborns. Study Design: Cross-sectional Place and Duration: Study was conducted at Children Medical Center (CMC) / Dr Habib un Nabi Children Hospital Airport Road Mingora Swat and Memon Medical Institute Karachi for duration of six months from January 2021 to June 2021. Methods: Total 120 preterm neonates had symptomatic and asymptomatic hypoglycemia was presented in this study. Detailed demographics included sex, birth weight and gestational age were recorded after taking informed written consent from the authorities. Blood sample was taken from all neonates for laboratory test. Blood glucose <40mg/dl were calculated as hypoglycemia. Frequency of hypoglycemia and its risk factors with symptoms were calculated in this study. SPSS 22.0 version was used to analyze all data. Results: Majority of the infants were males 75 (62.5%) and 45 (37.5%) were females. Mean gestational age was 32.3+6.37 weeks. Mean birth weight of the infants was 2.04±3.43 kg with mean age 4.5+3.73 days. Out of 120 cases, 88 (73.3%) neonates were born by C-section. Frequency of hypoglycemia was fund among 52 (43.3%) cases in which majority were males with symptomatic hypoglycemia in 40 (33.3%) neonates. Hypertension in mothers was the most common cause of hypoglycemia found in 27 (51.9%) cases. Breast feeding difficulty was the most common symptom in 43 (82.7%) cases followed by jitteriness in 32 (61.5%). Rate of mortality was 7 (13.5%). Conclusion: In this research we concluded that the prevalence of hypoglycemia was significantly higher in preterm neonates and maximum cases were reported in symptomatic neonates with higher number of males. For children, hypoglycemia is associated with a high mortality risk. If a child's blood sugar levels go dangerously low or if they've been fasting for an extended period of time, they should receive treatment. Keywords: Preterm Newborns, Hypoglycemia, Prevalence, Mortality, Symptoms

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the zinc levels in children with upper respiratory tract infection in the age of 2-12 years in Pakistan. Study Design: A prospective observational Place and Duration: Conducted at department of Paediatrics Hamdard University hospital, Karachi and PIMS Children Hospital, Islamabad for four months duration from October, 2020 to January, 2021. Methods: Total 90 children of both genders were presented in this study. Patients’ detailed demographics including age, sex, socio-economic class and maternal education were recorded after taking informed written consent from the authorities. Patients with upper respiratory tract infection were included. Mean serum zinc among children was calculated as 55.14±17.68 μg/dl. Outcomes were measured in terms of risk factors associated with URT and lower level of serum zinc among patients. Complete data was analyzed by SPSS 24.0 version. Results: There were 60 (66.7%) males and 30 (33.3%) were females. Mean age of the cases were 08.44±7.65 years. 62 (68.9%) patients were from lower socio economic status and literacy rate of mothers were 35 (38.9%).Symptoms of URTI were cough, sore throat, runny nose and headache. Previous family history of URTI found in 55 (61.1%) cases. Rhinovirus was the most common cause of URTI found in 70(77.8%) cases. Severity of cold was found among 18 (20%) children. Meanserum zinc was38.76±6.88 μg/dl and found among 87 (96%) cases. Conclusion: We concluded in this study that the zinc level was significantly lower among children who had rhinovirus due to severe cold. Keywords: Serum Zinc Level, Children, Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Background: Measles is strongly linked with several complications and with elevated mortality rates. The leading mortality and morbidity causing complication includes the otitis media, broncho-pneumonia, croup, diarrhea and encephalitis. Aim: To assess the complication related to measles among children who were malnourished. Methodology: The study opted an observational cross-sectional design. The entire study population was children having measles visiting the outpatient department at National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi from April 2018 to September 2018. The children were assessed through various clinical and laboratory tests. A sample size of total 71 children was suggested for the current study. Out of the total only 10 children were rejected due to uncomplete responses to the proforma or due to the unwillingness. Hence, a total of 61 respondents amply responded to the proforma and were included in the study. The data analysis was performed later using a statistical computer program named SPSS version 21.0. Results: A total of 61 children were analyzed in this study. The average age of the children was 1.1±0.9 years. 31(50.8%) of the children were below one year, 21(34.4%) were between the range of 1 to 5, 7(11.5%) were between 6-10 and 2(3.3%) were above ten years of age. Among all children, 38(62.3%) were boys and remaining 23(37.7%) were females. Only 4(6.6%) of the children were reported with weight loss, 21 (34.4%) with diarrhea, 14(23%) were vomiting, and only 2 were presented with fits. Conclusion: It is concluded from the study that the leading measles complications among malnourished children were reported to be as pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infection and gastroenteritis. Keywords: Conjunctivitis; Measles; Morbillivirus; Malnourished children; Pneumonia

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern in blood culture positive typhoid fever. Study Design:Retrospective study Place and Duration:Children Medical Center (CMC) / Dr Habib un Nabi Children Hospital Mingora Swat and Pediatrics department of Hamdard University Hospital, Karachi for the duration between June 2020 and December 2020. Methods: There were total one hundred and twenty patients of both genders were presented. Patients were aged between 5-15 years of age. Patients detailed demographics age, sex and body mass index were recorded after taking informed written consent. All the patients had fever. Blood sample of all the patients were taken for salmonella species. The Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion method was used to test for antibiotic susceptibility, and the results were interpreted in accordance with National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) guidelines. SPSS 20.0 version was used to analyze complete data. Results:There were 84 (70%) males and 36 (30%) females. Mean age of the patients was 11.5±3.48 years. Among 120 cases of salmonella, 89 (74.2%) were Salmonellatyphi and Salmonella paratyphi was found in 31 (25.8%) patients. Sensitivity of antibiotics chloramphericol, cotrimoxazole, and azithromycin was 100% greater than that of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. (6.7%, vs 5.8%) But resistance of both antibiotics was high. Nalidixic Acid showed 108 (90%) resistance to salmonella typhi. Conclusion: We observed a very high degree of diversity in the antimicrobial sensitivity pattern, with extremely high levels of sensitivity to antibiotics that have been utilized in the past, such as chloramphenicol and cotrimoxazole. It was discovered that the quinolones, which were widely utilized in the last two decades, have a very poor sensitivity. Keywords:Typhoid fever, Sensitivity, Antibiotics, Resistance