Background: The reported prevalence and pattern of thrombocytopenia in neonatal sepsis vary widely. Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of thrombocytopenia in blood culture proven neonatal sepsis. Methods: The study was conducted in a University hospital by recruiting neonates with sepsis in whom blood culture had grown microorganisms. The initial platelet count refers to the one obtained at the same time as the positive blood culture. Platelet counts were monitored 12-24 hourly. Thrombocytopenia was considered mild if between 50,000/mm 3 and 150,000/mm 3 , moderate if between 20,000/mm 3 and 50,000/mm 3 , and severe if < 20,000/mm 3 or < 50,000/mm 3 with clinical bleeding. Results: A total of 143 episodes of blood culture proven sepsis in 131 neonates were studied. Gram positive bacteria identified in 33.6%, gram negative bacteria in 53.8%, and fungi in 12.6%. Klebsiella predominated among Gram negative bacteria (39%) and Candida species (94.4%) among fungi. Initial thrombocytopenia was observed in 84 (58.7%) episodes; it was mild, moderate, and severe in 39.3%, 25%, and 35.7% respectively. Initial thrombocytopenia among Gram positive, Gram negative, and fungal sepsis were 41.7%, 70.1%, and 55.6%, respectively. Severe thrombocytopenia in the respective groups was 20%, 44.4% and 20%. Overall (80%) and severe thrombocytopenia (45.8%) was highest in Klebsiella sepsis. Thrombocytopenia was moderate in 60% of Candida sepsis. An additional 23.7% had thrombocytopenia subsequently. In 51.2%, thrombocytopenia persisted beyond 3 days. Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia was observed in 58.7% of culture proven neonatal sepsis. Initial thrombocytopenia was common among Gram negative sepsis and mostly of a moderate degree in Candida sepsis.

Introduction: Influenza viral infection in children can range from subclinical illness to multi system involvement. The morbidity associated with influenza B viral infection is often overlooked. India being the second most populous country, accounts for 20% of global childhood deaths from respiratory infections. There is paucity of data on the clinical features and complications of influenza B viral infections in children from the Indian subcontinent. Our objective was to study the clinical profile, seasonality, complications and outcome associated with Influenza B viral infection in children < 18 years of age. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study at a tertiary care hospital in South India. Children less than 18 years of age admitted to our paediatric unit were included in the study. We reviewed the case sheets of 56 patients who tested positive for influenza B virus during the study period and recorded their clinical and laboratory data. Throat swab obtained from cases were tested by RT-PCR. The illness was classified as upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia and severe pneumonia. Outcome measures analysed were- mortality, need for oxygen supplementation or assisted ventilation, duration of oxygen support, duration of ICU/ hospital stay and time for defervescence following initiation of oseltamivir therapy. Results: The mean age of the study population was 6.98 years. Majority of the affected children were > 5 years of age in the school going category with a male to female ratio of 3:2. The diagnosis based on clinical and radiological findings included upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in 44 (78.5%) cases followed by pneumonia in 11(19.6%) and severe pneumonia in one (1.7%) child. The peak incidence was in the month of March. Malnutrition was the most common risk factor affecting 22 (39.3%) cases followed by history of asthma in eight (14.3%). Three children required oxygen supplementation at admission. The median duration of hospital stay was seven days. The median duration for defervescence following initiation of oseltamivir therapy was 24 hours. Mortality was recorded in one infant who died of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusions: Influenza B virus should be screened in all children having underlying high risk medical condition, presenting with pneumonia or upper respiratory tract infection. Oseltamivir therapy should be initiated early in the management of influenza B viral infections to prevent complications.

Hypothyroidism in children causes delayed puberty. However longstanding untreated hypothyroidism can lead to precocious puberty which may be secondary to hyperprolactinemia or increased levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), enhancing the sensitivity of ovaries to circulating gonadotropins. Here we report a seven and half years old girl with hypothyroidism presenting with precocious puberty and multicystic ovaries which responded well to thyroid hormone supplementation but subsequently developed left ovarian torsion requiring surgical intervention.