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Objective: To find the frequency of known risk factors in cases of severe transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) and to measure the effect of inhaled Salbutamol to bubble CPAP on required treatment duration. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt, Karachi Pakistan, from Nov 2019 to Jun 2020. Methodology: A total of 60 cases of severe TTN, labelled on a predefined criterion were included in the study. The sample was randomized into two groups using an alternate sampling technique. Group-A was treated with bubble CPAP alone, while in Group-B, inhaled Salbutamol was added. The response was measured regarding the time taken to settle respiratory distress. Results: Out of 60 cases, 54(90.0%) were delivered through Caesarean section. A total of 9(15.0%) cases were born prematurely. Polycythemia was found in 10(16.6%) cases. Maternal asthma and gestational diabetes frequency were 8(13.33%) and 12(20.0%), respectively. A significant reduction was seen in the duration of respiratory distress in the study population receiving bubble CPAP with inhaled Salbutamol in the first 24 hours of illness (p-value<0.001). Conclusion: Caesarean section is the most significant risk factor for developing TTN. Adding Salbutamol nebulization to bubble CPAP resulted in an earlier settlement of respiratory distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency of hypertension in our children and explore its relation to obesity to emphasize the importance of routine blood pressure check-ups in outpatient departments and clinics. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Pediatric Outpatient Department and Child Ward of the Combined Military Hospital Malir Cantt Karachi Pakistan, from May to Dec 2020. Methodology: A total of 1000 children of 3-13 years selected on consecutive sampling methods with no history of hypertension were enrolled. Three blood pressure readings were recorded using an aneroid sphygmomanometer using the standard protocol, and their weight and height were measured to calculate their BMI. Results: Out of 1000 children, 62 (6.20%) were found hypertensive, out of which 42 (67.7%) were male, and 20 (32.3%) children were females. Overall 42/622 (6.75%) male children and 20/378 (5.87%) female children developed hypertension. Obesity was found in 6.45% of positive cases, while 3.22% of hypertensive children were overweight. The frequency of hypertension linearly increased with increasing age. In addition, 12.9% of cases had a positive family history of hypertension. Conclusion: The frequency of hypertension in the Pediatric population was 6.20%. Male predominance was found in hypertensive cases. Hypertension was more prevalent among children of preadolescent age. Obese and overweight children were more likely to develop hypertension than normal-weight children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To record the demographic features of neonates presenting with jaundice, identify their cause, and co-relate bilirubin levels obtained by subcutaneous bilirubinometre with a standard biochemical method. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Nursery of Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt Karachi, from Jul to Dec 2020. Methodology: A total of 100 cases of neonatal jaundice were enrolled using a systematic random sampling technique. The demographic data of enrolled neonates and risk factors for jaundice were recorded. Their bilirubin levels were recorded using transcutaneous bilirubinometre (TCB) JH-2. Serum bilirubin levels were analyzed at the same time and recorded. Results: Out of 100 neonates, 61(61 %) were male. Risk factors for jaundice included exaggerated physiological 70(70%), prematurity 11(11%), Rh incompatibility 9(9%), G6PD deficiency 5(5%). For all weight ranges, mean TCB values significantly correlated with mean serum bilirubin level (p-value <0.001) with a co-relation coefficient of 0.683 and device reliability of 74%. Conclusion: Transcutaneous bilirubinometre can be considered a reliable tool to assess bilirubin for screening neonatal jaundice in term and pre-term neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]