Indian pediatrics
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To determine the incidence and outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients. ⋯ AKI is common in critically ill children, especially younger patients with septicemia and shock, and results in increased hospital stay and high mortality.
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To identify differences in the evolution of children with non-severe acute lower respiratory tract infection between those with and without radiographically diagnosed pneumonia. ⋯ Persistence of fever or tachypnea up to the second day of amoxicillin treatment is predictive of radiographically diagnosed pneumonia among children with non-severe lower respiratory tract diseases.
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Vaccines have made a major contribution to public health but vaccines-preventable diseases (VPDs) are still responsible for significant deaths of under-five children. Despite Global efforts, the coverage in two WHO regions namely Africa and South-East Asia (SEA) still remain short of set targets for 2010. As a result, the SEA Regional Director has declared 2012 as the Year for Intensifying Routine Immunization (RI) in the Region. ⋯ The development of an efficient VPDs surveillance, adverse event following immunization (AEFI) monitoring and post-marketing surveillance systems will go a long way in ensuring satisfactory performance of the health system. The decades old Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI), which was adopted in India as universal Immunization Program (UIP) also needs a revamp with inclusion of certain new vaccines. Decisions on implementing new and underutilized vaccines require scientific evidence and data, a reliable supply of affordable vaccines, which are adapted to the country's immunization schedule, and an integrated disease monitoring and surveillance system.
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Comment Letter
Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: safety first.
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Reports of successful use of vasopressin in various shock states and cardiac arrest has lead to the emergence of vasopressin therapy as a potentially major advancement in the management of critically ill children. ⋯ In view of the limited clinical experience, and paucity of randomized controlled trials evaluating these drugs in pediatric population, currently no definitive recommendations on vasopressin/terlipressin use can be laid down. Nevertheless, available clinical data supports the use of vasopressin in critically ill children as a rescue therapy in refractory shock and cardiac arrest.