Indian Pediatrics

We conducted this retrospective, case record review to determine the risk factors and clinical features associated with cerebral infarction after mild head trauma in children. The median age of the cohort was 2.18 years (range, 6 mo–8 y). Most (26/29) of the patients developed the neurological symptoms and signs within 72 hours after trauma, 51.7% within 30 minutes. The first symptoms included hemiparesis (20), facial paresis (7), and convulsion (7). 86.21% of the lesions lay in basal ganglia region. Pre-existing basal ganglia calcification was identified in 13 as a risk factor.

To develop standard recommendations for skin care in neonates, infants and children to aid the pediatrician to provide quality skin care to infants and children. Though skin is the largest organ in the body with vital functions, skin care in children especially in newborns and infants, is not given the due attention that is required. There is a need for evidence-based recommendations for the care of skin of newborn babies and infants in India. A committee was formed under the auspices of Indian Academy of Pediatrics in August, 2018 for preparing guidelines on pediatric skin care. Three meetings were held during which we reviewed the existing guidelines/recommendations/review articles and held detailed discussions, to arrive at recommendations that will help to fill up the knowledge gaps in current practice in India. The initial draft of the manuscript based on the available evidence and experience, was sent to all members for their inputs, after which it was finalized. Vernix caseosa should not be removed. First bath should be delayed until 24 hours after birth, but not before 6 hours, if it is not practically possible to delay owing to cultural reasons. Duration of bath should not exceed 5–10 minutes. Liquid cleanser with acidic or neutral pH is preferred, as it will not affect the skin barrier function or the acid mantle. Cord stump must be kept clean without any application. Diaper area should be kept clean and dry with frequent change of diapers. Application of emollient in newborns born in families with high risk of atopy tends to reduce the risk of developing atopic dermatitis. Oil massage has multiple benefits and is recommended. Massage with sunflower oil, coconut oil or mineral oil are preferred over vegetable oils such as olive oil and mustard oil, which have been found to be detrimental to barrier function.

Familial hypomagnesemia with secondary hypocalcemia is a genetic disorder of magnesium metabolism that presents with refractory seizures in infancy. We herein report an infant with familial hypomagnesemia who presented as medically-refractory seizures and had cerebral atrophy on neuroimaging. Interestingly he had lost previous two siblings because of lack of correct diagnosis. Child was given oral magnesium supplementation and the seizures got controlled. Familial hypomagnesemia should be considered in any child with recurrent or refractory hypocalcemic seizures.

To determine the efficacy of oral antibiotics in underfive children with pneumonia and chest indrawing. We included controlled clinical trials (randomized or quasi randomized) that compared the efficacy of oral antibiotics versus parenteral antibiotics for treatment of community- acquired pneumonia with chest-indrawing (severe pneumonia as defined by the World Health Organization’s guidelines) in children below 60 months of age. Data were extracted and managed using RevMan software. Main outcome variables were: treatment failure rate, relapse rate, death rate, need for hospitalization, and severe adverse effects. We identified four randomized controlled trials involving 4400 children who were diagnosed to have severe pneumonia but were feeding well and not hypoxic. Baseline characteristics of children in the two treatment arms (oral and parenteral antibiotics) were similar. In two studies, oral antibiotics were administered on an ambulatory basis, while in two, oral antibiotics were used in hospitalized children. Failure rate in children receiving oral antibiotics was 13% (288/2208) while that in children receiving parenteral antibiotics was 13.8% (302/2183) (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.78, 1.11). Failure rates were not affected by the type of oral antibiotic, or presence of wheeze. Relapse rates, hospitalization or serious adverse events were similar in the two groups. Children with tachypnea with chest-indrawing without signs/symptoms of very severe pneumonia may be treated with oral antibiotics.

To describe the clinical profile of children with syncope. Hospital records were reviewed for clinical and laboratory details of childrenpresenting withreal or apparent syncope. Five diagnostic categories were identified: neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS), psychogenic pseudosyncope (PPS), cardiac, neurological and indeterminate. 30 children (aged 4 to 17 years)were included. The commonest cause of syncope was NCS (63.3%), followed by PPS (13.3%), cardiac (10%), neurological (10%) and indeterminate (3.3%). Exercise, loud noise or emotional triggers and family history were associated with cardiac etiology, and electrocardiogram (ECG) was diagnostic in the majority. Children with PPS and cardiacsyncope had frequent episodes when compared with other groups. Indiscriminate antiepileptic use was found in 5 children, including two cardiac cases. Frequent recurrences of syncope may suggest PPS or cardiac cause. Cardiac etiology may be readily identified on history and ECG alone.

Cartilage-hair hypoplasia is a rare, autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia, caused by mutations in the RMRP gene. The skeletal abnormalities include irregular metaphyses and cone shaped epiphyses of the hands. Molecular diagnosis confirmed two novel RMRP mutations in a compound heterozygous state in two siblings with this condition.