Risk Factors for Relapse in Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome is the most common cause of the glomerular disease in children. Despite its high initial response to corticosteroids, relapses are common leading to increased morbidity. Therefore, appraisal of common triggers of relapse becomes an imperative for successful management of childhood nephrotic syndrome. The objective of the study was to identify the risk factors for frequent relapse in childhood nephrotic syndrome. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of Paediatrics, Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh from January 2013 to December 2014. A total of 60 patients with relapsed idiopathic childhood nephrotic syndrome fulfilling the selection criteria were enrolled into the study. Serum total protein, serum albumin and urine culture were done. The following potential risk factors for relapse were analyzed using Chi-square test: age at onset of NS, sex, socioeconomic status, atopy, short duration of initial therapy with steriod, serum total protein, serum albumin level and infection. Among 60 patients, short duration of therapy with steriod (<8 weeks) for first attack was significantly higher among frequent relapse (FRNS) cases compared with infrequent relapse (IFRNS) group (63% vs. 27.27%). FRNS group had initial brief period of remission of <6 months, (p=0.04). Difference in mean serum albumin and that of serum total protein between FRNS and IFRNS cases was (1.0±0.66 vs. 2.66±1.6gm/dl) (p<0.0001) and (3.5±1.2 vs. 6.5±2.12gm/dl) (p<0 .0001) respectively. This study concluded that short initial therapy with corticosteroid, brief duration of initial remission; low serum total protein and decreased serum albumin were the risk factors for frequent relapses.

Comparison of WHO Clinical Criteria and Radiological Findings of Pneumonia in Children Aged 02-59 Months

Despite recent advances, pneumonia contributes substantially to childhood mortality in low and middle-income countries. To reduce case fatality, World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a working formula to identify pneumonia clinically in resource constrained setting. Chest X-ray is the gold standard test to diagnose pneumonia but this tool is not readily available or affordable in primary health facility in developing countries even when it is indicated. Objective of the study was to compare WHO clinical criteria and radiological findings of pneumonia in children aged 02-59 months. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at inpatient department of Paediatrics of Rangpur Medical College Hospital from July 2015 to June 2017. Total 112 patients aged 2 to 59 months fulfilling selection criteria were enrolled into this study. Data were collected and chest X-ray was done for each patient. Data were analyzed through SPSS software (version 16.0). Minimum level of significance was predetermined as p<0.05. Among 112 patients, mean age of chest radiograph positive cases of pneumonia was 7.64±7.08 months and that of negative cases 10.75±10.95 months. There was no statistically significant difference of age (p=0.083) between chest radiography positive and negative cases. Radiological findings were positive in 52(46.43%) cases and negative in 60(53.57%). Fever, cough and fast breathing were present in all patients with sensitivity 100%. Chest indrawing was significantly more (p=0.003) among 52(46.43%) cases who demonstrated positive radiological findings with sensitivity 63.46% (95% CI = 48.96% to 76.37%). There was no statistically significant difference of fever, cough and fast breathing between radiograph positive and negative cases. Chest indrawing was significantly more in radiograph positive cases. The results highlighted the importance of adoption of positive radiograph of WHO guideline to identify pneumonia.

Socio-environmental consideration of phosphorus flows in the urban sanitation chain of contrasting cities

Understanding how cities can transform organic waste into a valuable resource is critical to urban sustainability. The capture and recycling of phosphorus (P), and other essential nutrients, from human excreta is particularly important as an alternative organic fertilizer source for agriculture. However, the complex set of socio-environmental factors influencing urban human excreta management is not yet sufficiently integrated into sustainable P research. Here, we synthesize information about the pathways P can take through urban sanitation systems along with barriers and facilitators to P recycling across cities. We examine five case study cities by using a sanitation chains approach: Accra, Ghana; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Beijing, China; Baltimore, USA; and London, England. Our cross-city comparison shows that London and Baltimore recycle a larger percentage of P from human excreta back to agricultural lands than other cities, and that there is a large diversity in socio-environmental factors that affect the patterns of recycling observed across cities. Our research highlights conditions that may be "necessary but not sufficient" for P recycling, including access to capital resources. Path dependencies of large sanitation infrastructure investments in the Global North contrast with rapidly urbanizing cities in the Global South, which present opportunities for alternative sanitation development pathways. Understanding such city-specific social and environmental barriers to P recycling options could help address multiple interacting societal objectives related to sanitation and provide options for satisfying global agricultural nutrient demand.

Postnatal Support Strategies for Improving Rates of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Case of Caesarean Baby

Despite awarness of the many advantages of breast feeding exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate is still lower than recommended practice and the rate is less in case of caesarean baby. In an effort towards achieving better breast feeding practices, UNICEF and WHO launched the baby friendly hospital initiative in 1991 to ensure that all maternity facilities support mothers in making the best choice about feeding. The implementation of effective programs improves rates of short and long term exclusive breast feeding even in case of caesarean baby. The objective of present study was to investigate whether postnatal support improves the rate of exclusive breast feeding in case of caesarean baby compared with usual hospital care. This was a longitudinal study over one and half year period, from April 2009 to October 2011 done in Combined Military Hospital in Mymensingh. A total of 565 pregnant women were included this study. Primary outcome was early establishment of breast feeding after caesarean section. Secondary outcome was exclusive breast feeding at discharge from hospital, two weeks and six weeks after caesarean section delivery. Early establishment of breast feeding within one hour after caesarean section was higher in postnatal support group than usual care group (70.29% vs. 57.14%). Rates of exclusive breastfeeding in the postnatal support strategies group were significantly higher when compared with those who received usual hospital care at discharge (89.13% vs. 75.94%, p=0.004), at 2 weeks (85.51% vs. 53.38%, p<0.001) and at 6 weeks (74.64% vs. 38.35%, p<0.001). Postnatal lactation support, as single intervention based in hospital significantly improves rates of exclusive breast feeding.

Incidence of Congenital Heart Disease among Hospital Live Birth in a Tertiary Hospital of Bangladesh

Background: Incidence of congenital heart disease is 8-10/1000 live birth which is established by many studies carried out in many centers worldwide. In Bangladesh no incidence study was carried out so far. Newborn children presenting with various forms of congenital heart disease is a common problem now a days. Neonatologists and paediatricians are now more conscious about early detection and treatment of newborn with congenital heart diseases. Diagnostic facilities are also available in many places. So an individual incidence record from an ideal center of our country is a demand of the time which led carrying out this study. Methods: This prospective study was carried out in Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Dhaka over a period of three years (2004 – 2006). All five thousand six hundred and sixty eight live births weighing more than 500 gm and more than 28 weeks gestational period were subjected to a thorough clinical examination within 72 hours of birth. Those suspected to have any form of congenital heart disease (CHD) were followed up every 4-6 wks for a period of 12 months. Echocardiography with color Doppler was performed in all these newborn including those who reported late but were delivered in obstetrics department of Combined Military Hospital Dhaka. Result: One hundred forty two babies out of 5668 live birth had CHD, ie, 25/1000 live births. Incidence of CHD was higher in pre terms as compared to full term live birth. Some of the patients (18.30%) has other associated somatic anomalies among which Down’s syndrome was commonest (9.15%). Most common congenital heart lesions were Atrial Septal Defect (ASD-26%), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD-16.9%), Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA-18%), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF-14%), Pulmonary Stenosis (PS-7.75%) etc. Those who were found to have congenital heart disease were managed accordingly. Some patients had spontaneous closure of defects in first year follow up period. Conclusion: The incidence of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) depends upon various factors like nature of the samples (all live birth or all birth) or on the spot examination by a Paediatric cardiologist. A hospital which has Obstetric, Neonatal and Paediatric cardiology unit can carried out this kind of study successfully. In this study screening of asymptomatic high risk neonates also contributes in early detection of many trivial lesions. Severe lesions were also detected by the paediatric cardiologist who usually expire before being referred from other hospitals and before being diagnosis is established. So a higher incidence rate is recorded in this study. Key words: Congenital heart disease; Echocardiography DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v1i1.8199 Cardiovasc. j. 2008; 1(1) : 14-20