PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L S Arya

Publications and source records attributed to L S Arya.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Spectrum of complications of measles in Afghanistan: a study of 784 cases.

Seven hundred and eight-four patients with measles admitted to the Institute of Child Health, Kabul (Afghanistan) between April 1980 and March 1982 were studied. Almost three-quarters (73.6%) of children (4 months to 12 years) with measles were below the age of 3 years. The maximum number of cases occurred in the 1 to 2 years age group (43.1%). Eighty-nine patients (11.3%) contracted the disease before 1 year of age whereas only 13 infants had developed measles before the age of 7 months. Measles occurred throughout the year and there was no significant seasonal variation. Bronchopneumonia was the commonest complication (85.4%) followed by enteritis (30.2%) and laryngotracheobronchitis (22%). The overall mortality was 10.8%. Respiratory complications including bronchopneumonia and laryngotracheobronchitis were the commonest causes of death followed by encephalitis and gastroenteritis. However, the case fatality rate was highest among patients who suffered from encephalitis and laryngotracheobronchitis. In our study, there was no significant difference in the incidence of mortality between well-nourished and moderately undernourished children. It is recommended that in developing countries measles vaccination should be given around 8-9 months of age and must be completed before the age of 1 year.

Afghanistan↗
PubMed1985

Diphtheria in Afghanistan--review of 155 cases.

During the 3-year study period, 155 culture-positive cases of diphtheria were reviewed at the Institute of Child Health, Kabul. They comprised 0.6% of hospital admissions due to medical disorders in our institute. About 80% of patients belonged to an age group of 1-10 years and only two patients were less than 1 year old. The male to female ratio was 1.3:1. There was no history of previous vaccination against diphtheria in 96.7% of patients. In the majority of patients faucial diphtheria was diagnosed (77.4%), followed by laryngeal (16.1%) an combined pharyngolaryngeal (6.5%). Clinical presentation was with a mild to moderate degree of fever, sore throat, cervical lymphadenopathy, toxaemia, tachycardia and a characteristic thick greyish-white membrane. The main early complications were laryngeal obstruction (35), myocarditis (18), shock (3), polyneuritis (3) and renal failure (2). The overall case fatality rate was 19.3%. Prognosis was unfavourable in patients with laryngeal diphtheria when there was a delay of more than 4 days before reaching the hospital and if there was a delay in relieving laryngeal obstruction by tracheostomy. Outcome was unrelated to the age of the patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Morbidity and mortality in childhood in Afghanistan: a study of 40 492, consecutive admissions to the Institute of Child Health, Kabul.

During a three-year period, 336029 children were accorded ambulatory care and 40 492 children were admitted to the Institute of Child Health, Kabul, for in-patient treatment. Sixty-three per cent were boys. Three-quarters (75.3%) were under five years of age and provided 81.7% of the overall mortality. Children with acute gastroenteritis and respiratory infections together accounted for 49.9% of all admissions and 34.5% of all deaths. Malnutrition of varying degrees was a core problem and was seen in 67% of hospitalized children. The infectious diseases as a single group accounted for 70.7% of the morbidity and 71.9% of the mortality. Septicaemia and infections of the central nervous system were associated with the highest case fatality rates, especially among newborn babies. Six-target diseases and accidents accounted respectively for 10.4 and 9.7% of all deaths. Sixty-three per cent of children died within 24 hours of admission and the majority of deaths occurred after regular hospital working hours. In order to safeguard the well being of children in Afghanistan, and to reduce their morbidity and mortality, it will be mandatory to ensure effective delivery of primary health care, improve nutritional standards, provide safe drinking water, immunize the vulnerable population, make free elementary education universal and improve the lot of women and future mothers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Pyogenic liver abscesses in children.

Five children with pyogenic liver abscess were admitted to Institute of Child Health, Kabul during the period 1978 to 1980. All patients were males, and their ages ranged from 4 to 10 years. The clinical picture was characterized by fever, upper abdominal pain, enlarged tender liver with raised right dome of the diaphragm. The abscesses were located in the right lobe of liver in all cases, and they were solitary in three cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the etiologic agent in four cases and Escherichia coli in one. Open surgical drainage coupled with prompt parenteral antibiotic therapy in all cases seem to have favorably influenced the outcome. With a high index of suspicion pyogenic liver abscess in children can be diagnosed clinically without the aid of hepatic radionuclide scanning.

Child↗
PubMed1982

Kala-azar in Afghanistan.

The first three cases of kala-azar from Afghanistan are reported. Two girls (aged 4 and 5 years) and a 5-year-old boy reported from Kabul and Badghis Province with classical features of visceral leishmaniasis. The diagnosis was based on the demonstration of amastigotes in the bone marrow.

Afghanistan↗