International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 

About: International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics is an academic journal published by Medip Academy. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Internal medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 2349-3283. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 2725 publications have been published receiving 5132 citations.

Neonatal sepsis: epidemiology, clinical spectrum, recent antimicrobial agents and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern

Abstract: Background: Neonatal sepsis is one of the most common causes of neonatal mortality in the developing world This study aims to determine the incidence, the bacteriological profile of neonatal septicaemia, their antibacterial susceptibility pattern Methods: It is a prospective study, carried out in the tertiary care NICU of SP Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, from January 2014 to October 2014 Blood culture specimens were collected from neonates, identification of organisms, their antibiotic susceptibility pattern detection was done Results: Gram negative organisms were more common (7142%) than gram positive (2857%) Klebsiella was the most common pathogen (4821%) in both early and late onset septicemia In third generation cephalosporins, only one organism (Strept faecalis) is sensitive to ceftriaxone but cefoperazone and cefotaxim both have activity against Klebseilla and coagulase negative Staphylococcus Ceftazidime showed better results and active against Klebseilla, E coli, pseudomonas and unidentified gram negative bacilli In aminoglycosides amikacin has much better results than gentamicin Piperacillin had advantage over ampicillin All organisms except E coli showed sensitivity to cefotaxime Vancomycin had good activity against gram positive organisms (enterococcus, CONS, MRSA) Neonatal mortality rate was 2343% Conclusions: Neonatal sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the newborns Prematurity, low birth weight, prolonged rupture of membranes are major risk factors predisposing neonate to sepsis This study, showed alarming results of antibiotic sensitivity patterns The antibiotics which are routinely used like ampicillin and ceftriaxone showed poor activity against most of the organisms

A study on knowledge and practices regarding menstrual hygiene among urban adolescent girls

Abstract: Background: Adolescent girls often lack knowledge regarding reproductive health including menstruation hygiene which can be due to socio-cultural barriers in which they grow up. Methods: To explore the knowledge, practices and sources of information regarding menstruation and hygiene among adolescent girls in Bangalore, India. Methods: An epidemiologic study was undertaken using cross-sectional study method among 550 school- going adolescent girls aged 13-16 years. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 15. Results: Around 34% participants were aware about menstruation prior to menarche, and mothers were the main source of information among both groups. Overall, 69% of adolescent girls were using sanitary napkins as menstrual absorbent, while 6% were using both cloth and sanitary napkins. Almost half of the rural participants dried the absorbent inside their homes. Conclusions: There is a need to equip the adolescent girls with knowledge regarding safe, hygienic practices to enable them to lead a healthy reproductive life.

Infantile tremor syndrome

Abstract: Infantile tremor syndrome (ITS) is a clinical condition of acute or gradual onset of mental and psychomotor changes, pigmentary disturbances of hair and skin, pallor, and tremor in malnourished children aged between 5 months and 3 years & most commonly found in Indian subcontinent. 1,2 Though it is a well-known clinical entity, the etiology, pathogenesis and management of this condition remains obscure. 3 Etiologic theories for ITS including malnutrition, vitamin B12 deficiency, magnesium deficiency and infections have been studied, but the theory of nutritional deficiency is most accepted till yet among all. Many researchers have tried to correlate the symptoms with certain trace of element deficiency states without satisfactory results. 4

Assessment of the incidence of neonatal sepsis, its risk factors, antimicrobials use and clinical outcomes in Bishoftu General Hospital, neonatal intensive care unit, Debrezeit-Ethiopia

Abstract: Background: The incidence of neonatal sepsis (NS) varies from 6 to 9 cases per 1000 live births, but is higher among low-birth-weight neonates. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the risk factors, antimicrobial use pattern and clinical outcomes of NS at Bishoftu General Hospital, neonatal intensive care unit, Debrezeit-Ethiopia. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted using pretested and validated checklists. Results: Among the total 306 neonates (0-28 days of age) recruited, 249 (81.4%) were age ≤7 days, 169 (55.23%) were male, 251 (82%) were attended antenatal care, 136 (44.44%) were low in birth weight (≤2.5 kg) and 155 (50.7%) had total of white blood cell count ≥12000/mm 3 . 221 (72.2%) of the neonates diagnosed as sepsis received antibiotics while 74 (24.2%) received antibiotics for other diagnosis. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was the combination of ‘ampicillin + gentamicin’ prescription 67 (21.9%) followed by the single antibiotic prescriptions of benzyl penicillin 33 (10.8%) and cloxacillin 8 (2.6%). A significant number of neonates ( p = 0.000) with 95% confidence interval of (1.934-8.967) were born in health center and developed sepsis. This value is 4.2 times higher when compared with the neonates born in the home. A significant number of neonates using instrument in hospitals were also developed sepsis ( p = 0.26). The risk of acquiring sepsis in neonates born using instrument was almost 6.2 times more common than children born vaginal in the natural way. A significant number of neonates born from mothers’ with urinary tract infections (UTI) developed sepsis ( p = 0.02) and this figure was almost 2.9 times higher compared to neonates born from mothers’ with no UTI diagnosis. Conclusions: In the present study, the most common risk factors were identified and place of delivery, mode of delivery and mother with UTI during delivery were the most common risk factors for the incidence of NS.