Indian journal of pediatrics
-
Pediatric anesthesia and intensive care management has improved dramatically over the past two decades. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology underlying newborn surgical emergencies, new medications and new modes of ventilatory support have all contributed to better patient outcome. The authors have reviewed the anatomy and physiology of the infant airway, indications for and principles of endotracheal intubation, the management of newborn surgical emergencies, indications for post-operative ventilatory support, different modes of mechanical ventilation available, complications of mechanical ventilation with weaning parameters and extubation criteria. The introduction of nitric oxide and the implications of extracorpreal membrane oxygenation in the management of newborn emergency refractory to conventional ventilation are discussed.
-
Review Comparative Study
BCG vaccination in India and tuberculosis in children: newer facets.
With the extended programme of immunisation and since 1985 the universal programme of immunisation and the coverage status of BCG vaccination in India has been very good, although it is still unsatisfactory in the eastern states. It is emphasized that BCG vaccination cannot prevent natural tuberculous infection of the lungs and its local complications, although it reduces the haematogenous complications of primary infection. However, this is not true for malnourished children who, inspite of BCG vaccination, develop serious, and often fatal types of tuberculosis such as miliary, meningitic and disseminated tuberculosis. ⋯ Similarly, vaccinated children may present with hepatomegaly, splenomegaly or isolated organ disease. It is important to relearn the new patterns of tuberculosis disease seen in vaccinated, non-malnourished children, and to a lesser extent in children with grade 1 to 2 protein energy malnutrition (PEM). With these limitations of BCG vaccination, other strategies like chemoprophylaxis need multicentric trials in high risk children, in different parts of the country.
-
Septic shock is the host's inflammatory response to infection. There are multiple endogenous mediators responsible for the pathogenesis of septic shock. Cytokines, nitric oxide and prostaglandins are some of the major mediators. ⋯ Management of septic shock is focused in maintaining hemodynamic stability and an adequate oxygen delivery and utilization. Careful attention to each organ-system is of paramount importance to prevent complications and improve outcome. Experimental therapies to modulate the inflammatory response are promising.