Pediatrics Commons^™

Cross-Sectional Survey On Prevalence Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms At A Tertiary Care Health Facility In Nairobi, Susan Wamithi, Roseline Ochieng, Frank Njenga, Samuel Akech, William Macharia

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background:Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most common childhood neurobehavioral disorder with well documented adverse consequences in adolescence and adulthood, yet 60-80% of cases go undiagnosed. Routine screening is not practiced in most pediatric outpatient services and little information exists on factors associated with the condition in developing countries.

Methods:This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional survey whose primary objective was to determine prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children aged 6-12 years attending a tertiary care hospital Accidents and Emergency unit. Secondary objectives were to: (i) ascertain if physical injury and poor academic performance were …

Prevalence And Immediate Outcome Of Candida Colonized Preterm Neonates Admitted To Special Care Unit Of Mulago Hospital, Kampala Uganda, Yaser Abdallah, Deogratias Kaddu -Mulindwa, Jolly Nankunda, Philippa M. Musoke

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background: Candida species is the third commonest cause of sepsis among neonates. Colonization by Candida is a predictor for candidemia among preterm neonates.

Objectives: To determine prevalence of early Candida colonization and early outcome among colonized preterm neonates admitted to Mulago hospital Special Care Unit.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort was conducted between December 2008 and April 2009. Preterm neonates aged >72 hours and less than one week were screened for Candida colonization of the groin, oral pharynx and rectum using CHROMagar. Colonized neonates were followed up for 14 days. Blood cultures were done for those with signs of …

Urine Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin In Asphyxiated Neonates: A Prospective Cohort Study, Farida Essajee, Fred Were, Bashir Admani

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most common complication of perinatal asphyxia. Recent research indicates that urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an early marker for AKI; yet, there is a paucity of data about its use in term neonates with perinatal asphyxia.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 108 term babies in the new-born unit of Pumwani Maternity Hospital and Kenyatta National Hospital. Urine NGAL and serum creatinine were measured in 108 term asphyxiated neonates on days 1 and 3 of life.

Results: One-hundred and eight patients were recruited (male:female 1.4:1). At a cut-off of 250 …

Parenting Skills And Emotional Availability: An Rct, Aisha K. Yousafzai, Muneera A. Rasheed, Arjumand Rizvi, Robert Armstrong, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Objective: To investigate whether a responsive stimulation intervention delivered to caregivers of young children either alone or integrated with nutrition interventions would benefit parenting skills and emotional availability to promote children’s development and growth compared with either a nutrition intervention alone or the usual standard of care.

Methods: A cluster randomized factorial effectiveness trial was implemented in an impoverished community in Pakistan. The 4 trial arms were control (usual standard of care), responsive stimulation (responsive care and stimulation), enhanced nutrition (education and multiple micronutrients), and a combination of both enriched interventions. The 4 intervention packages were delivered by community health …

World Allergy Organization-Mcmaster University Guidelines For Allergic Disease Prevention (Glad-P): Probiotics, Alessandro Fiocchi, Ruby Pawankar, Carlos Cuello-Garcia, Kangmo Ahn, Suleiman Al-Hammadi, Arnav Agarwal, Kirsten Beyer, Wesley Burks, Giorgio W. Canonica, Motohiro Ebisawa, Shreyas Gandhi, Rose Kamenwa, Bee Wah Lee, Haiqi Li, Susan Prescott, John J. Riva, Lanny Rosenwasser, Hugh Sampson, Michael Spigler, Luigi Terracciano, Andrea Vereda-Ortiz, Susan Waserman, Juan José Yepes-Nuñez, Jan L. Brożek, Holger J. Schünemann

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background: Prevalence of allergic diseases in infants, whose parents and siblings do not have allergy, is approximately 10% and reaches 20–30% in those with an allergic first-degree relative. Intestinal microbiota may modulate immunologic and inflammatory systemic responses and, thus, influence development of sensitization and allergy. Probiotics have been reported to modulate immune responses and their supplementation has been proposed as a preventive intervention.

Objective: The World Allergy Organization (WAO) convened a guideline panel to develop evidence-based recommendations about the use of probiotics in the prevention of allergy.

Methods: We identified the most relevant clinical questions and performed a systematic review …

Impact Of Service Provision Platforms On Maternal And Newborn Health In Conflict Areas And Their Acceptability In Pakistan: A Systematic Review, Zohra S. Lassi, Wafa Aftab, Shabina Ariff, Rohail Kumar, Imtiaz Hussain, Nabiha Musavi, Zahid Memon, Sajid B. Soofi, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

Woman and Child Health

Various models and strategies have been implemented over the years in different parts of the world to improve maternal and newborn health (MNH) in conflict affected areas. These strategies are based on specific needs and acceptability of local communities. This paper has undertaken a systematic review of global and local (Pakistan) information from conflict areas on platforms of health service provision in the last 10 years and information on acceptability from local stakeholders on effective models of service delivery; and drafted key recommendations for improving coverage of health services in conflict affected areas.

The literature search revealed ten studies that …

Fmic Annual Report 2015 | English, French Medical Institute For Mothers And Children

French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC) Archives

No abstract provided.

Frequency And Mortality Associated With Hyperglycemia In Critically Ill Children, Sabeen Abid Khan, Mohsina Noor Ibrahim, Anwarul Haque

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objective: To determine the frequency of hyperglycemia in critically ill children admitted in PICU of a tertiary care hospital of Karachi and to compare the mortality of critically ill children with and without hyperglycemia.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Paediatrics Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi, from November 2011 to April 2012.

Methodology: One hundred fifty critically ill children admitted to PICU were included. Patients who had fasting blood sugar levels more than 126 mg/dl within 48 hours of admission were included in the hyperglycemic group. The normoglycemic and hyperglycemic …

Can Routine Screening And Iron Supplementation For Iron Deficiency Anemia In Nonsymptomatic Pregnant Women Improve Maternal And Infant Health Outcomes?, Anoosh Moin, Zohra S. Lassi

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Pregnant women have an increased need for iron that might not be met with diet alone. Due to physiologic anemia and population differences, no set criteria for defining iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are available globally. Serum ferritin and transferrin levels are often used to guide therapy by clinicians. Studies have reported an association between poor iron status and negative health outcomes such as low birth weight, premature birth, and perinatal death for women and their infants, although the evidence is weak.

Manufacturing Doubt About Endocrine Disrupter Science - A Rebuttal Of Industry-Sponsored Critical Comments On The Unep/Who Report "State Of The Science Of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals 2012", Åke Bergman, Georg Becher, Bruce Blumberg, Poul Bjerregaard, Riana Bornman, Ingvar Brandt, Stephanie Casey, Heloise Frouin, Linda Giudice, Jerrold J. Heindel, Taisen Iguchi, Susan Jobling, Karen A. Kidd, Andreas Kortenkamp, P. Monica Lind, Derek Muir, Roseline Ochieng, Erik Ropstad, Peter S. Ross, Niels Erik Skakkebaek, Jorma Toppari, Laura N. Vandenberg, Tracey J. Woodruff, R. Thomas Zoeller

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

We present a detailed response to the critique of “State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals 2012” UNEP/WHO, 2013) by financial stakeholders, authored by Lamb et al. (2014). Lamb et al.'s claim that UNEP/WHO (2013) does not provide a balanced perspective on endocrine disruption is based on incomplete and misleading quoting of the report through omission of qualifying statements and inaccurate description of study objectives, results and conclusions. Lamb et al. define extremely narrow standards for synthesizing evidence which are then used to dismiss the UNEP/WHO 2013 report as flawed. We show that Lamb et al. misuse conceptual frameworks …

Psychobiobehavioral Model For Preterm Birth In Pregnant Women In Low- And Middle-Income Countries, Shahirose S. Premji, Ilona S. Yim, Aliyah Dosani (Mawji), Zeenatkhanu Kanji, Salima Sulaiman, Wangira Musana, Pauline Samia, Kiran Shaikh, Nicole Letourneau

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Preterm birth (PTB) is a final common outcome resulting from many interrelated etiological pathways; of particular interest is antenatal psychosocial distress (i.e., stress, anxiety, and depression). In LMI countries, both exposure to severe life stressors and rate of PTB are on average greater when compared with high-income countries. In LMI countries women are exposed to some of the most extreme psychosocial stress worldwide (e.g., absolute poverty, limited social resources). High prevalence of antenatal stress and depression have been observed in some studies from LMI countries. We propose a psychosocial, biological, and behavioral model for investigating the complex multisystem interactions in …

Diagnostic Accuracy Of Who Verbal Autopsy Tool For Ascertaining Causes Of Neonatal Deaths In The Urban Setting Of Pakistan: A Hospital-Based Prospective Study, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Shabina Ariff, Ubaidullah Khan, Ali Turab, Gul Nawaz Khan, Atif Habib, Kamran Sadiq, Zamir Suhag, Zaid Bhatti, Imran Ahmed, Rajiv Bhal, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Globally, clinical certification of the cause of neonatal death is not commonly available in developing countries. Under such circumstances it is imperative to use available WHO verbal autopsy tool to ascertain causes of death for strategic health planning in countries where resources are limited and the burden of neonatal death is high. The study explores the diagnostic accuracy of WHO revised verbal autopsy tool for ascertaining the causes of neonatal deaths against reference standard diagnosis obtained from standardized clinical and supportive hospital data.
Methods: All neonatal deaths were recruited between August 2006 –February 2008 from two tertiary teaching …

Abdominal Lymphonodular Cryptococcosis In An Immunocompetent Child, Mehjabeen Zaidi, Sonia Qureshi, Sadia Shakoor, Saira Fatima, Fatima Mir

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

We describe our experience with an apparently immunocompetent child presenting with pyrexia of unknown origin without focal signs. Investigations revealed lymphadenopathy at lung hila, mesentery, and porta hepatis. The child had received at least two months of empiric antituberculous therapy (ATT) before she came to us. A CT-guided biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation. PAS stain showed yeasts which stained blue with Alcian blue, suggesting C. neoformans.

Diagnosis And Management Of Preeclampsia In Community Settings In Low And Middle-Income Countries, Rehana A. Salam, Jai K. Das, Anum Ali, Soumyadeep Bhaumik, Zohra S. Lassi

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy contribute significantly to maternal mortality and morbidity. Preeclampsia belongs to the spectrum of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and if undiagnosed and/or untreated leads to fatal consequences for both the mother and the baby. Early detection and prevention of preeclampsia is limited by uncertainty in the knowledge about its etiopathogenesis. While much work has been done in establishing clinical guidelines for management of preeclampsia in the hospital or tertiary care settings, there is considerable lack of work in the domain of evidence-based guidelines for screening, identification and management of preeclampsia at the community-level. The article reviews these …

Impact Of Withholding Breastfeeding At The Time Of Vaccination On The Immunogenicity Of Oral Rotavirus Vaccine--A Randomized Trial, Asad Ali, Abdul Momin Kazi, Margaret M. Cortese, Jessica A. Fleming, Sungsil Moon, Umesh D. Parashar, Baoming Jiang, Monica M. Mcneal, Duncan Steele, Zulfiqar Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Breast milk contains anti-rotavirus IgA antibodies and other innate immune factors that inhibit rotavirus replication in vitro. These factors could diminish the immunogenicity of oral rotavirus vaccines, particularly if breastfeeding occurs close to the time of vaccine administration.
Methods: Between April 2011 and November 2012, we conducted an open label, randomized trial to compare the immunogenicity of Rotarix (RV1) in infants whose breastfeeding was withheld one hour before through one hour after vaccination with that in infants breastfed at the time of vaccination. The trial was conducted in the peri-urban area of Ibrahim Hyderi in Karachi, Pakistan. Both groups …

Outcome Of Pediatric Procedural Sedation & Analgesia In A Tertiary Care Hospital In Pakistan, Humaira Jurair, Amyna Bhimani, Anwar-Ul-Haque

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background and Objective: Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) is pharmacologically induced state which allows patients to tolerate painful procedures while maintaining protective reflexes. It is the standard of care but there is limited data from Pakistan. Our objective was to assess the safety of the procedural sedation and analgesia in pediatric population at a tertiary care setting.
Methods: A retrospective notes and record review was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi over 4 years from April 2010 to August 2014. Patients were between ages 6 months to 16 years and were in low risk category. The combination of …

Predictors And Outcome Of Tetanus In Newborns In Slum Areas Of Karachi City: A Case Control Study, Arjumand Sohaila, Yasir Shafiq, Shazia Azim, Benazir Baloch, Ali Syed Muhammad Akhtar, Shiyam Sunder Tikmani, Nick Brown

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Tetanus in newborns, is an under-reported public health problem and a major cause of mortality in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the predictors and outcome of tetanus in newborn infants in the slums of Bin-Qasim town, Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: We conducted a case-control study at primary health care centers of slums of Bin-Qasim town, area located adjacent to Bin Qasim seaport in Karachi, from January 2003 to December 2013. Cases were infants aged ≤30 days with tetanus, as defined by the World Health Organization. Controls were newborn infants aged ≤30 days without Tetanus, who were referred for …

Newborn Care In Indonesia, Lao People’S Democratic Republic And The Philippines: A Comprehensive Needs Assessment, Els Duysburgh, Birgit Kerstens, Melissa Diaz, Vini Fardhdiani, Katherine Ann Reyes, Khamphong Phommachanh, Marleen Temmerman, Basil Rodriques, Nabila Zaka

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Between 1990 and 2011, global neonatal mortality decline was slower than that of under-five mortality. As a result, the proportion of under-five deaths due to neonatal mortality increased. This increase is primarily a consequence of decreasing post-neonatal and child under-five mortality as a result of the typical focus of child survival programmes of the past two decades on diseases affecting children over four weeks of age. Newborns are lagging behind in improved child health outcomes. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive, equity-focussed newborn care assessment and to explore options to improve newborn survival in Indonesia, …

Risk Factors Associated With Birth Asphyxia In Rural District Matiari, Pakistan: A Case Control Study, Farhana Tabassum, Arjumand Rizvi, Shabina Ariff, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: During the past two decades there has been a sustained decline in child mortality; however, neonatal mortality has remained stagnant. Each year approximately 4 million babies are born asphyxiated resulting in 2 million neonatal deaths and intrapartum stillbirths. Almost all neonatal deaths occur in developing countries, where the majority is delivered at homes with negligible antenatal care and poor perinatal services.
Objectives: To identify socio-demographic and clinical risk factors associated with birth asphyxia in Matiari District of Sindh Province, Pakistan.
Method: A matched case control study was conducted in Matiari District with 246 cases and 492 controls. Newborn deaths …

Multi-Drug Resistant Gram Negative Infections And Use Of Intravenous Polymyxin B In Critically Ill Children Of Developing Country: Retrospective Cohort Study, Naveed-Ur-Rehman Siddiqui, Farah Naz Qamar, Humaira Jurair, Anwarul Haque

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Patients in pediatric intensive care Units (PICU) are susceptible to infections with antibiotic resistant organisms which increase the morbidity, mortality and cost of care. To describe the clinical characteristics and mortality in patients with Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) gram negative organisms. We also report safety of Polymyxin B use in these patients.
Methods: Files of patients admitted in PICU of Aga Khan University Hospital, from January 2010 to December 2011, one month to 15 years of age were reviewed. Demographic and clinical features of patients with MDR gram negative infections, antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates, discharge disposition and adverse effects …

Provider Cost Analysis Supports Results-Based Contracting Out Of Maternal And Newborn Health Services: An Evidence-Based Policy Perspective, Peter Hatcher, Shiraz Shaikh, Hassan Fazli, Shehla Zaidi, Atif Riaz

Community Health Sciences

Background

There is dearth of evidence on provider cost of contracted out services particularly for Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH). The evidence base is weak for policy makers to estimate resources required for scaling up contracting. This paper ascertains provider unit costs and expenditure distribution at contracted out government primary health centers to inform the development of optimal resource envelopes for contracting out MNH services.

Methods

This is a case study of provider costs of MNH services at two government Rural Health Centers (RHCs) contracted out to a non-governmental organization in Pakistan. It reports on four selected Basic Emergency Obstetrical …

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Rare Disorder Presenting With Focal Convulsions, Shakeel Ahmed, Syed Rehan Ali, Naila Nadeem, Muhammad Hamid

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS), previously called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type-IV, is a heterogeneous group of heritable connective tissue disorders characterized by thin, translucent skin, easy bruising, arterial, intestinal, and/or uterine fragility. There is large vessel involvement that leads to arterial rupture often preceded by aneurysm, arteriovenous fistulae, or dissection. Noninvasive imaging studies such as CT angiography and MR angiography are preferred as diagnostic studies for this condition. We are reporting a 4 years old girl who was presented with right sided unilateral convulsions and hypertension. CT angiogram showed stenosis with post-stenotic dilatation of coeliac and superior mesenteric arteries. There were extensive …

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis: Clinical And Demographic Characteristics, Arshad Rafique, Nida Amjad, Prem Chand, Syed Sohail Zahoor Zaidi, Muhammad Suleman Rana, Khalid Ahmed, Shahnaz Ibrahim

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objective: To determine the clinical and demographic characteristics of children diagnosed with Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).

Study Design: Case series.

Place and Duration of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2000 to June 2012.

Methodology: A retrospective analysis was done, regarding medical charts of 43 children under the age of 16 years with a discharge diagnosis of SSPE. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Results were expressed as percentages.

Results: Most of the 43 patients were male (72%). The average age at presentation was 8.7 years with average duration of symptoms being 100.6 days. History of …

Frequency Of Cardiorenal Syndrome Type-I In Hospitalized Children With Acute Heart Failure In A Tertiary-Care Hospital, Mehjabeen Zaidi, Arshalooz Jamila Rehman, Anwarul Haque, Saleem Akhtar, Prem Kumar Maheshwar

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objective: To determine the frequency of cardiorenal syndrome in hospitalized children with acute heart failure.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from December 2010 to December 2011.

Methodology: Sixty eight (68) children with acute heart failure fulfilling the selection criteria were evaluated for worsening of renal function (WRF). Serum creatinine was done at baseline and repeated at 72 hours to see the worsening of renal function. Estimated serum creatinine clearance was calculated by Schwartz formula.

Results: Mean age of patients was 43.6 ± 55.2 months. There were …

Empyema Thoracis In Children: Clinical Presentation, Management And Complications, Ali Faisal Saleem, Abdul Sattar Shaikh, Reema Sajjad Khan, Fazal Khan, Ahmad Vaqas Faruque, Muhammad Arif Mateen Khan

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objective: To determine the etiology, clinical manifestation, management (medical and surgical) and complications of children with empyema thoracis in a tertiary care hospital from Karachi, Pakistan.

Study Design: Descriptive, analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 1996 to December 2010.

Methodology: Medical records of admitted children aged > a month to 15 years with discharge diagnosis of empyema thoracis and data was collected on demographic features, clinical manifestation, management and complications. Children managed medically were compared with those managed surgically by using interquartile range and median comparison. Mann-Whitney U test …

Frequency Of Retinopathy Of Prematurity In Premature Neonates With A Birth Weight Below 1500 Grams And A Gestational Age Less Than 32 Weeks: A Study From A Tertiary Care Hospital In A Lower-Middle Income Country, Arjumand Sohaila, Shiyam Sunder Tikmani, Iqtidar Ahmed Khan, Huba Atiq, Ali Syed Muhammad Akhtar, Prem Kumar, Kishwer Kumar

Department of Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a treatable cause of blindness in neonates. In Pakistan, ROP is often not recognized early because screening and treatment programs are not yet in place in most neonatal units, even in tertiary care hospitals. It is hoped that this report will help inform medical professionals of the magnitude of the problem and help to design appropriate management strategies.

Objectives: The aim was to determine the frequency of ROP in premature and very low birth weight (BW) neonates (BW(GA)weeks).

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Study Setting : Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary care …

Ct Scan In Children With Acute Bacterial Meningitis: Experience From Emergency Department Of A Tertiary-Care Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Jabeen Fayyaz, Arshalooz Rehman, Akhter Hamid, Munawar Khursheed, Nukhba Zia, Asher Feroze, Uzma R. Khan

Department of Emergency Medicine

Objective: To determine the role of computed tomography scan in children presenting to emergency department with symptoms and signs of suspected acute bacterial meningitis.

Methods: The retrospective analysis was done on children who were admitted through the Emergency Department at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from September 2009 to September 2011 with the diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis. Information related to age, gender, presenting complaints, clinical signs and symptoms, computed tomography scan findings and final outcome of patients was gathered from the medical records. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: A total of 192 patients were admitted with …

Age Related Clinical Manifestation Of Acute Bacterial Meningitis In Children, Jabeen Fayyaz, Arshalooz Rehman, Akhter Hamid, Munawar Khursheed, Nukhbha Zia, Asher Feroze

Department of Emergency Medicine

Objective: To determine the signs and symptoms of acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in different age grops of a paediatric population.

Methods: The retrospective study comprised patients who had been admitted through the Emergency Department of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi with the relevant diagnosis from September 2009 to September 2011. Case record forms were used to collect data from patient files. Data was collected using variables such as age, gender, presenting complaints, clinical signs and symptoms, computed tomography scan findings and final outcome of patients. There was a minimal risk of breach in patient confidentiality. SPSS 19 was used for …

Readmission To Paediatric Intensive Care Unit: Frequency, Causes And Outcome, Muhammad Rehan Khan, Prem Kumar, Sumaira Iram, Anwarul Haque

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Readmission to intensive care units is considered to be an important quality indicator in ICU settings. This study was carried out at the paediatric intensive unit (PICU) and step down units of paediatric ward at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, to assess the frequency, common causes and outcome of patients readmitted in PICU within 48 hours after discharge from unit. During the study period, 1022 patients were admitted in PICU, out of which 24 (2.34%) patients required readmission. Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. The mean length of stay on paediatric floor before readmission was 24 hours. Fifteen …

Rota Virus Diarrhea In Hospitalized Children, Muhammad Irfan Habib, Sayyeda Ghazala Kazi, Khalid Mehmood Ahmed Khan, Nukhba Zia

Department of Emergency Medicine

Objective: To determine the frequency and clinical features of Rota virus diarrhea in children presenting in a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: A cross-sectional, observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, from January to June 2007.

Methodology: A total of three hundred children of either gender aged 1 month to 5 years, who presented with diarrhea of < 7 days as a primary illness were enrolled. Children with bloody diarrhea or nosocomial gastroenteritis acquired duringhospitalization for other disease were not included. Detection of Rota virus in stool was done by enzyme linked immunoassay.

Results: Out of 300 children, 188 (63%) tested positive and 112 (37%) tested negative for Rota virus. Positive Rota virus cases in 7 – 12 months of age was (n = 34, 18.08%). Overall, 151 (80.3%) children …