Background: A large number of acute febrile illnesses have an infectious aetiology and many of them are associated with thrombocytopenia. The objective was to study the clinical and laboratory profile of febrile children with thrombocytopenia, associated clinical complications and assess the relationship between platelet levels and severity of disease.Methods: The study was carried out in 180 children up to the age of 18 years, seen in Out Patient Department as well as those admitted in the wards of Department of Paediatrics of a 999 bedded hospital in North India from July 2016 to June 2017.Results: The commonest causes of thrombocytopenia in our study were Viral Fever (other than dengue and chikungunya) 27.78% (50), followed by Dengue 22.2% (40), enteric fever 12.22% (22), chikungunya 11.11% (20), malaria 8.33% (15), septicaemia 5.55% (10), ITP 5.55% (10), haematological malignancy 1.67% (03) and megaloblastic anaemia 1.11%(2). Bleeding manifestations were present in 19.45 % of patients and the commonest sites were skin and mucous membranes. Bleeding manifestations were seen most commonly in children with a platelet count less than <20,000/μl.Conclusions: Viral fevers (non-specific) followed by dengue and chikungunya were the most common causes of fever with thrombocytopenia.

Background: Sepsis in neonates is a syndrome which is characterized clinically by systemic symptoms or signs of infection and associated with bacteremia in the first 28 days of life. More than 40% of under-five deaths globally occur in the neonatal period, resulting in 3.1 million newborn deaths each year. Procalcitonin (PCT) is an early diagnostic tool for neonatal sepsis.Methods: Present prospective cross- sectional observational study was conducted at NICU of Base hospital, Delhi Cantonment from 1st Dec 2016 to Jan 31st, 2018. Universal sampling technique was followed. SPSS version 21 was used for statistical analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant.Results: Out of the total 440 cases, 63% were males while rest 37% were females.  Mean gestation age and birth weight of the babies was 35.6 weeks and 2.13 Kg respectively. Raised/ decreased Total Leucocyte Count (TLC) and raised pro calcitonin levels were seen in 23% and 19.8% cases respectively.Conclusions: These results indicated that the sensitivity of procalcitonin was higher than TLC for the diagnosis of culture proven neonatal sepsis. Hence, PCT is a more sensitive and useful biomarker for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Background: Neonatal seizure is defined as a paroxysmal alteration in neurological function. The diagnosis of neonatal seizures is difficult to establish because of varied etiologies involved. The incidences vary from 1.5-3.7/1000 live births in term babies.Methods: Hospital based observational study was conducted from December 1, 2016 till March 31, 2018. Universal sampling technique was followed. 93 neonates fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study after consent from parents.Results: This study results showed that 60.2% were males. Pre-term delivery occurred in 12.9% neonates. Most common etiology of neonatal seizures was birth asphyxia with 47.3% followed by metabolic abnormalities 32.3%. Abnormal EEG pattern was seen in 29% cases of neonatal seizures.Conclusions: To conclude, the most common aetiology for neonatal seizures was birth asphyxia followed by metabolic abnormalities in which hypoglycaemia was the most common type. A significant association of seizures due to meningitis and metabolic abnormalities was observed with pre-term gestation while abnormal EEG pattern was observed with birth asphyxia and meningitis. EEG findings were found normal in majority of cases of neonatal seizure.

Background: Neonatal seizure is defined as a paroxysmal alteration in neurological function. The diagnosis of neonatal seizures is difficult to establish because of varied etiologies involved. The incidences vary from 1.5-3.7/1000 live births in term babies.Methods: Hospital based observational Study was conducted from December 1, 2016 till March 31, 2018. Universal sampling technique was followed. 93 neonates fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study after consent from parents.Results: Present study results showed that 60.2% were males. Pre-term delivery occurred in 12.9% neonates. Most common etiology of neonatal seizures was birth asphyxia with 47.3% followed by metabolic abnormalities 32.3%.Conclusions: The most common etiology for neonatal seizures was birth asphyxia followed by metabolic abnormalities in which hypoglycaemia was the most common type. A significant association of seizures due to meningitis and metabolic abnormalities was observed with pre-term gestation.