The Effect of Steroids on the Clinical Course and Outcome of Neonates with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of steroids in the management of MAS. This was a double blinded randomized controlled trial and a prospective Interventional Study over one-year period in the neonatal unit of the Lady Hardinge medical College and associated Kalawati Saran Children’s hospital. Fifty-one babies of MAS which were randomly distributed into three groups, Control, systemic and nebulized steroids. Methyl prednisolone was given i.v. in dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. Budecort was given by nebulization in dose of 50 microgram 12 hourly. Infants were assessed in terms of duration of stay, oxygen dependence, X-ray clearances and also assessed for short term adverse effects. There was a statistically significant difference in the duration of stay, duration of oxygen dependence and radiological clearance. The use of steroids was not associated with an increased incidence of sepsis. The conclusion is that steroids alter the course of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome and favorably affect the outcome.

Evidence behind the WHO Guidelines: Hospital Care for Children * What are the Clinical Indicators of PCP?

Switch from Antibiotic Eye Drops to Instillation of Mother’s Milk Drops as a Treatment of Infant Epiphora
In a paediatric practice, the management of patients with signs and symptoms of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLO) was switched from topical antibiotic to topical mother’s milk (MM) -based regimens. The conservative management of this condition includes frequent cleansing of the lids, digital lacrimal sac massage, and application of topical antibiotic drops when there is a mucopurulent discharge. The method for managing CNLO has evolved in our office of paediatrics during the past 7 years. This change was initiated by some mothers who have applied traditional therapy: MM eye drops. This evolution has been accompanied by a number of articles from the mid 1990s into the 2000s on safety of MM eye drops in case of neonatal conjunctivitis, and on the anti-inflammatory characteristics and antibacterial activity of topical MM.

Death of a G-6-P-D Deficient Child with Co-morbid HIV Infection Linked to Scarification
Facial scarification is a process of engraving marks on selected portions of the face at infanthood for various cultural purposes. It is a common cultural practice in Africa especially Nigeria. The induction is associated with fever and severe crying in infants. Usage of the same unsterile tools for the induction in different children and the unhygienic environment are possible means of contracting HIV infection. Occurence of G-6-P-D deficiency and malaria predipose to severe anaemia often requiring blood transfusion. Blood screening facilities are grossly lacking in most rural areas in developing countries. This report is on a 2-year-old male child who presented with facial marks, lacked G-6-P-D and died of HIV infection after a follow-up of 6 months. We suggest that HIV infection contracted from facial scarification in the presence of G-6-P-D deficiency caused the child’s death.

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