OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study is to assess the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants and to compare the visual outcomes in babies with and without ROP.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A consecutive cohort of 812 preterm babies were recruited with gestational age ≤32 weeks and or birth weight ≤1500 g. The outcome was assessed at the end of 15 months by determining fixation behavior, cycloplegic refraction, and vision by Cardiff cards. Incidence of visual outcomes with 95% confidence limits and relative risks were estimated. Chi-squared test and t-test were used as tests of significance.RESULTS:The incidence of ROP was 25%. The incidence of myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism, and strabismus were 15.8% (14.3–17.3), 6% (5.1–7.1), 55.6% (53.6–57.7), and 1.8% (1.4%–2.5%), respectively, in the cohort. The most common refractive error in terms of spherical equivalence was myopia (19.8% in ROP and 14.4% in non-ROP group). The mean visual acuity measured by Cardiff Acuity cards was 0.282 and 0.27 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units (right eye) and 0.293 and 0.277 (left eye) in patients with and without ROP, respectively. Strabismus was present in 5% of ROP group and 0.8% of non-ROP group babies. Babies with ROP had six times (risk ratio-6.02; 95% confidence interval 2.8–12.8) higher chance of developing strabismus than those without ROP.CONCLUSIONS:Ophthalmological morbidities in premature infants such as refractive errors and strabismus are high in addition to complications like ROP. The incidence of these conditions is more in infants with ROP when compared to non-ROP group.

Background: Henoch Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis in children. It is an immunoglobulin A (IgA) mediated systemic small-vessel vasculitis, with IgA deposition in vessel walls leading to symptoms involving the skin, joints, intestines, and kidneys. The objective of present study was to identify and describe the clinical profile, pattern of joint involvement, histopathological features, treatment modalities and complications of Henoch Schonlein purpura.Methods: 52 children less than 12 years diagnosed to have Henoch Schonlein Purpura according to the European League against Rheumatism criteria were included in the study. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking and thorough examination. The clinical features, investigations, management and complications of the disease were studied. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the results.Results: The common clinical features were palpable purpura (100%) followed by arthritis (66%) and abdominal pain (50%). Renal manifestations were in the form of hematuria in 12% of the patients. Skin biopsy was done in 25 patients of which 19 had findings suggestive of Henoch Schonlein purpura. Steroids were used in 42% of patients. The severity of illness was associated with lower mean age, arthritis, leg edema and stool occult blood.Conclusions: The clinical features of Henoch Schonlein purpura in the population were different from the previously published studies. Renal involvement was less common. The short-term outcome of the patients were satisfactory.

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Background: Anemia is one of the most common nutritional problems in India. Anemia is significantly influenced by dietary factors. Objective was to study the association between breast feeding practices and occurrence of moderate to severe anemia in children aged 6-60 months in relation to those without anemia, admitted to SAT Hospital.Methods: Case control study done at SAT Hospital. 85 moderates to severe anemic children and 85 non anemic children were enrolled in the study. Detailed history was taken including dietary history stressing infant and young child feeding practices. Physical examination was done including anthropometric measurements. Relevant haematological investigations were done.Results: Highest percentage of cases 76.4 % were from the age group 6 months to 24 months. Out of 85 cases 58.8% were with exclusive breastfeeding<6 months and among controls is 37.6%. Association of lack of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and anemia is statistically significant. Lack of timely introduction of complementary feeding, poor score for infant and young child feeding practices, male gender, lack of iron rich foods, small for gestational age babies were also significantly associated.Conclusions: Maximum number of anemic children were belonging to 6 months to 24 months, Lack of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months was a major risk factor for developing anemia in children. Lack of timely introduction of complimentary feeding at 6 months and poor infant and young child feeding practices were significant risk factors for developing nutritional anemia.

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