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Objective:The objective of the following study is to assess parent reported quality of life (QOL) in children with epilepsy and to assess the demographic and clinical factors, which influence the QOL in children with epilepsy.Study Participants:We consecutively enrolled 40 children aged from 2 years to 14 years with active epilepsy who had undergone a comprehensive evaluation for epilepsy.Materials and Methods:Parents were enquired on baseline demographic variables including age, gender, socio-economic status and parental education. Clinical details of epilepsy including the type of epilepsy, seizure frequency were assessed. QOL was evaluated with the parent reported quality of life in childhood epilepsy (QOLCE) questionnaire.Results:A total of 40 children were enrolled of which 55% (22/40) were males and the mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of enrolled children was 10.6 (2.7) years. The majority came from a rural background (80% [32/40]), were from lower (15 [37.5%]) or middle (23 [57.5%]) socio-economic status, with almost half (22 [55%]) of mothers being educated until high school. The overall mean (SD) QOL score was 66.7 (4.83). Lowest mean (SD) scores were observed in self-esteem (45.2 [7.3]) subscale and subscales with higher QOL scores included control/helplessness (82.1 [8.51]), anxiety (81.6 [12.55]) and social stigma (95.0 [11.6]). Parental education, socio-economic status (P = 0.96), frequency of seizure (P = 0.34) or type of epilepsy (P = 0.92) did not significantly affect the overall QOL among children with epilepsy.Conclusion:Our study concluded that overall QOL was compromised in Indian children with epilepsy. Demographic factors like parental education, socio-economic status and clinical factors like frequency of seizure or type of seizure did not significantly affect the QOL of epileptic children.

Objective: The study was intended to document the clinical profile and treatment outcome of severe malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax (P.vivax) in children hospitalized in a tertiary care centre of northern India. Methods: This prospective observational study was performed among children admitted with severe malaria at a tertiary care referral hospital of northern India from January 2012 to December 2012. Information was recorded pertaining to clinical symptoms at presentation, examination findings, biochemical and hematological investigation, and treatment outcome. Presence of malarial parasite on thick and thin smears and/or positive parasite lactate dehydrogenase (p-LDH) based rapid malaria antigen test was considered diagnostic of 'malaria'. Based on the etiology, children were categorized into three groups: P.vivax, Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) and mixed infection. Children diagnosed with 'severe malaria' (World Health Organization, 2000), were started on intravenous artesunate followed by artemether-lumefantrine combination. . Two children [2/18 (11.1%)] infected with P. vivax had died of cerebral malaria, acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock, and metabolic acidosis. The clinical presentation and outcome of severe vivax malaria was found to be similar to severe malaria caused by P. falciparum and mixed infection, except for higher chances of severe anaemia among the children infected with P. falciparum (P50.04). Conclusion: The present study highlights P. vivax as an increasingly recognized causative agent for severe malaria in children from Rohtak, with similar clinical presentation and outcome to that caused by P. falciparum.

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To the Editor: One-Minute preceptor (OMP) model is an efficient teaching framework that includes five micro skills of getting a commitment from the learner about his or her impression of the case, probing for underlying reasoning to explore the learner's understanding, teaching the general rules pertaining to the case, giving positive feedback and correcting the learner's errors [1]. OMP model has been well studied in an outpatient setting and inpatient setting with some modifications [2][3][4].Three faculty members and three postgraduate residents (5th semester) of Pediatrics department were trained on OMP model by a faculty member well versed with OMP model [1]. Three Pediatric postgraduate residents of the 5th semester were allotted three different clinical cases of children with global developmental delay. Discussion based on OMP model was conducted over 10-15 min for each case. All other pediatric residents of all semester naïve to this model were invited to attend as observers.A total of 23 out of 25 Pediatric residents who attended the session responded to feedback. All respondents (n = 23) believed that OMP ascertains the student's diagnosis and assesses student's underlying clinical reasoning. Among 23 respondents, 18(78.3%) strongly felt that OMP assesses students' fund of knowledge; 20(87.0%) strongly agreed to the point that it teaches student few key points for use in future patient care; 22(95.6%) felt that it provides constructive feedback with recommendations for improvements; 20 (87.0%) agreed that it involves the students in decision-making process. All (n = 23) respondents strongly believed that OMP improves the efficiency and overall effectiveness of the teaching encounter. All respondents (n = 23) wanted this model to be incorporated into Pediatric postgraduate teaching program.OMP model of learning encourages students to think about the diagnosis and management, gives them an immediate feedback on their thinking, and helps them rectify their mistakes [5]. Detailed analysis of points in history and examination are strengths of traditional case presentation that often cannot be replaced. Hence, OMP model could be an effective supplement to traditional case presentation in improving analytical skills of Pediatric postgraduate residents. We conclude that OMP was a satisfactory learning experience for Pediatric postgraduate residents.