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Biomedical subjects

Ashok K Deorari

Publications and source records attributed to Ashok K Deorari.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Retinopathy of prematurity screening by non-retinologists.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the screening efficiency of general ophthalmologists (ophthalmic residents) as well as non-ophthalmologists (pediatric residents and nurses posted in neonatal intensive care unit) in screening (ROP) retinopathy of prematurity on the basis of posterior pole vascular changes. METHODS: Prospective consecutive review in a tertiary care hospital setting. Five groups (each comprising of one ophthalmic resident, one pediatric resident and a nurse) examined the posterior pole vessels of 200 eyes of ROP with a direct ophthalmoscope and compared with an ROP specialist using indirect ophthalmoscope. SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science), version 10.0 was used for the analysis. RESULTS: Ophthalmic residents findings were: (sensitivity 95.68%, specificity 92.85%, positive predictive value 94.81%, negative predictive value 93.97%; pediatric residents findings were : (sensitivity 92.24%, specificity 88.09%, positive predictive value 91.45%, negative predictive value 89.15%); and nurses, finding were: (sensitivity 88.79%, specificity 85.71%, positive predictive value 89.56%, and negative predictive value 84.70%). The results had no statistically significant difference in diagnostic reliability. Kappa agreement analysis was significant for ophthalmic residents (0.887), pediatric residents (0.805) and nurses (0.744) compared with the ROP specialist. None of the children diagnosed with pre-threshold or threshold ROP was thought to have normal posterior pole vessels by the trainees. CONCLUSIONS: Given adequate training, general ophthalmologists and non-ophthalmologists (pediatricians and nurse practitioners) are independently reliable in detecting posterior pole changes in ROP babies using direct ophthalmoscope and can be provided with a screening protocol.

Female↗

Effect of fortification with human milk fortifier (HMF) and other fortifying agents on the osmolality of preterm breast milk.

This study was conducted to test the effect of fortification with human milk fortifier (HMF), low birth weight (LBW) formula and coconut oil, initially and upon subsequent storage, on the osmolality of preterm breast milk. Milk samples (n = 48) were collected from mothers (n = 25) delivered at 34 pounds weeks and fortified with HMF (Lactodex-HMF), LBW formula (Lactodex-LBW) and edible coconut oil. Osmolality was measured before and after fortification and after 6 hours,.The gestation and birth weight (median) was 31 (range 29-32) weeks and 1198 (range 716-1478) grams. The median (range) postnatal age at testing was 15 days (range 3-60 days). There was a significant increase in osmolality of breast milk (302.3 +/- l.82) after addition of HMF (392.9 +/- 3.01) and LBW formula (390.5 +/- 2.4). There was no change in osmolality with addition of coconut oil (304 +/- 1.6). There was no further change in the osmolality after 6 hours of storage at 4 degrees C.

Adult↗

Efficacy of oral phenobarbitone in term "at risk" neonates in decreasing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: a randomized double-blinded, placebo controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of oral phenobarbitone in "at risk " term neonates (with high cord bilirubin) in decreasing hyperbilirubinemia. DESIGN: Double blind, placebo-control, randomized trial. SETTING: Tertiary level neonatal unit. OUTCOME: Primary-hyperbilirubinemia defined as total serum bilirubin (TSB) greater than 13 mg/dL. Secondary-TSB at 72 +/- 12 hr, need for phototherapy or exchange transfusion and side effects of phenobarbitone therapy. METHODS: All consecutively born term healthy neonates with cord bilirubin > or = 2.5 mg/dL were randomly assigned to receive either phenobarbitone (n = 37) or placebo (n = 38) after obtaining informed consent. Phenobarbitone was administered orally (5 mg/kg/day) for 3 days starting within 12 hours of birth. The neonates were followed up till seven days of life. TSB was estimated in neonates who developed jaundice with clinically assessed level of 8-10 mg/dL and at 72 +/-12 hours of age in 55 neonates. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics were similar in two groups. There was no significant reduction in incidence of hyperbilirubinemia in phenobarbitone group compared to in placebo group (6/37 (16.2%) versus 13/38 (34.3%); RR 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.20-1.11; risk difference: -18.1%, 95% confidence interval: -39.5 to 3.3%). However TSB at 72 +/-12 hours in phenobarbitone group (mean +/- S.D: 10.0 +/- 3.7 mg/dL) was significantly lesser than in placebo group (mean +/- S.D: 12.3 +/- 3.3 mg/dL) (difference of means: -2.3 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval: -3.9 to -0.7 mg/dl, P = 0.018). No significant difference with respect to need for treatment was observed in two groups. No significant adverse effects of phenobarbitone were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic phenobarbitone is not helpful in reducing the incidence of hyper-bilirubinemia in "at risk" term neonates.

Double-Blind Method↗

Survival and morbidity in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.

We report the morbidity and mortality in extremely low birth weight neonates (ELBW) from a tertiary care hospital over seven years (1994-2000). Data regarding maternal and neonatal details was obtained from old records, computer database and medical files. Of the 12,807 live births during this period, 137 (1.07%) were ELBW infants. All of them were managed without surfactant. Overall, 67 infants (48.7%) survived to discharge. The most commonly encountered morbidities were hyperbilirubinemia(65%), respiratory distress(65%), sepsis(52%), intraventricular hemorrhage(29%), pneumonia (25%) and retinopathy of prematurity(24%). Need for resuscitation, pulmonary hemorrhage, seizures, acute renal failure, sclerema and air leak syndromes were significantly associated with mortality. Sepsis accounted for 41% of all deaths while immaturity was the second most important cause, accounting for 24% deaths. The average length of stay for survivors was 49 days (SD +/- 15.9 days)

Female↗

Polycythemia in the newborn.

Polycythemia is defined as a venous hematocrit above 65%. The relationship between viscosity and hematocrit is almost linear till 65% and exponential thereafter. Increased viscosity of blood is associated with symptoms of hypo-perfusion. The hematocrit in a newborn peaks at 2 hours of age and decreases gradually after that. The etiology of polycythemia is related either to intra-uterine hypoxia or secondary to fetal transfusion. Clinical features related to hyperviscosity may affect all organ systems and this entity should be screened for in high-risk infants. Polycythemia maybe symptomatic or asymptomatic and guidelines for management of both types are provided in the protocol.

Blood Viscosity↗

Retinopathy of prematurity.

With improving survival of very low birth infants in India, Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP is likely to emerge as a significant problem. The most important risk factor in the pathogenesis of ROP is prematurity. Other factors like frequent blood transfusions; sepsis, apnea and problems with oxygenation have also been implicated in the causation of ROP. Essentially asymptomatic in the initial stages, a good screening program is essential for the early detection and treatment of this condition. Description of the various stages and threshold ROP has been included in the protocol. Guidelines regarding the procedure of dilatation, ophthalmic examination and treatment (if required) has been provided in the protocols. Close cooperation between the ophthalmologist and neonatologist is essential for a successful program.

Humans↗

Congenital airway abnormalities in neonates.

Airway malformations such as laryngeal atresia, tracheal agenesis and subglottic stenosis are rare and present at birth with significant respiratory distress with or without stridor. There may be an initial improvement on bag and mask ventilation. Repeated attempts at intubation are met with failure. The related embryology and clinical aspect of airway malformations have been discussed. The prognosis in tracheal agenesis is universally fatal but cases with laryngeal atresia and subglottic stenosis may be saved with prompt tracheostomy and later surgical reconstruction.

Cricoid Cartilage↗

Changing profile of retinopathy of prematurity.

The aim of this study was to determine the evolving trends of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. In an ongoing screening programme for ROP, we estimated the incidence of ROP among at-risk neonates in a tertiary care unit. We compared our data over the last 12 months (1999-2000; period II) to the previously published data (1993-94; period I) to study changes in the spectrum of the disease. The overall incidence of ROP in period II was not significantly different from the incidence in period I (32 vs. 20 per cent, p > 0.05). However, a decreasing trend in the proportion of severe ROP (stage III) from 46 to 21 per cent in the later period was noted. The need for cryotherapy also dropped significantly compared with the earlier period (8 vs. 46 per cent respectively, p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, apnea (p < 0.001; RR = 12.5; 95 per cent CI, 3.03-50.9; clinical sepsis (p < 0.001; RR = 5.7; 95 per cent CI, 1.6-20.7); and male sex (p < 0.001; RR = 6.3; 95 per cent CI 1.6-25.5) emerged as significant risk factors. Although the incidence of ROP is static, the more severe form of the disease (stage III) is showing a decline. Our data suggests that efficient management of apnea and sepsis may be crucial in further minimizing the risk of ROP.

Analysis of Variance↗

Microbiological study of neonatal conjunctivitis with special reference to Chlamydia trachomatis.

PURPOSE: To study the microbial agents, chiefly Chlamydia trachomatis and other bacteria, in neonatal conjunctivitis. METHODS: Conjunctival specimens from 70 newborns with conjunctivitis were subjected to bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, monoclonal antibody based C. trachomatis antigen detection test and species-specific Chlamydia antibody detection in the sera of babies and their mothers, by micro-immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: Bacteria were isolated from 35 (50%) babies; the majority (20, 57.14%) were Staphylococcus epidermidis. C. trachomatis antigen was detected in conjunctival smears of 17 (24%) babies, and 6 (35.29%) of them were positive for other bacteria. Six babies and their mothers tested positive for C. trachomatis Ig G antibodies. At follow-up after 14 weeks, 6 (35.29%) of the Chlamydia antigen-positive babies were found to have developed recurrent conjunctivitis. CONCLUSION: C. trachomatis is responsible for almost a quarter of all cases of neonatal conjunctivitis, with recurrences in 35% of cases. Bacteria could be isolated from 50% of the patients though the exact role of Staphylococcus epidermidis, isolated from 28.65% of the neonatal conjunctivitis cases, remains unclear.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗