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Background: Knowledge of underlying pathophysiology of coagulopathy is evolving and the pattern of coagulation parameters in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–associated diseases is still not very clear. Aims: In the present study, we aimed to find out the pattern and distribution of conventional coagulation parameters and thromboelastographic (TEG) parameters in COVID-19–associated coagulopathy (CAC) in survivors and nonsurvivors at 28 days. Setting and Design: The present prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) facility from March 21, 2020, to July 15, 2021. Materials and Methods: Admission clinical and laboratory data (conventional coagulation, inflammatory and TEG parameters, and disease severity parameters) of 64 COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU were collected. Patients were divided into two groups, i.e., survivors and nonsurvivors. Statistical Analysis: Data were compared between two groups, i.e., survivors versus no survivors on 28 days using Student's t-test/Mann–Whitney U-test or Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test. Results: Admission mean plasma fibrinogen levels (474.82 ± 167.41 mg.dL−1) and D-dimer were elevated (1.78 [0.66, 3.62] mg.mL−1) in the COVID-19 ICU patients. Overall, COVID-19 patients had mean lower normal platelet count (150 ± 50 × 103 cells.mm−3), with marginally elevated prothrombin time (16.25 ± 3.76 s) and activated partial thromboplastin time (38.22 ± 16.72 s). A 65.6% (42/64) TEG profile analysis showed a normal coagulation profile, and the rest 21.9% (14/64) and 12.5% (8/64) had hypercoagulable and hypocoagulable states, respectively. Plasma D-dimer level was markedly elevated in nonsurvivors compared to survivors (P < 0.05), while no other conventional coagulation parameters and TEG profile demonstrated statistically significant between the two groups. Conclusion: Markedly elevated plasma D-dimer level was observed in nonsurvivors of COVID-19 ICU patients. A large portion of COVID-19 ICU patients had a normal TEG profile. Conventional coagulation parameters and TEG profile were similar between survivors and nonsurvivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Back ground: Adolescent is a period of peak growth for boys and girls. Food and nutrition needs proportionately higher during the growth spurt². In country like India with varying social customs and common beliefs against female, there is high prevalence of malnutrition among girls. If anaemic adolescent girl became pregnant, it may increase both mortality and morbidity rate in both mother and infant i.e maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate. Material & Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted among school going adolescent girls of class 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th of Gurukul inter college, Panchali. Data was collected on predesigned semi structured questionnaire which included details of socio demographic variables like age, parent’s education and other details about knowledge regarding anaemia, its causes and sources of iron. One week after the presentation again the knowledge of students was assessed on the same set of questionnaire. Result: 31% were of 15 yrs, 30% were of 16 yrs. Knowledge about anaemia before presentation was present in 76% students while it was 96% after presentation. 20% knows about the sources of iron. 60% of the study subject were aware of programme related to anaemia Conclusion: Despite the various measures taken by government of India to control anaemia in various groups the severity of nutritional anaemia continues to remain a public health issue of great magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Rate of blood transfusion is considerably low in transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). We follow type and crossmatch (TC) policy in TURP. The objective was to assess the suitability of TC policy along with the impact of preoperative (preop) prostate weight and hemoglobin (Hb) on the pattern of blood ordering (whether demand for TC was sent or not). Methods: Retrospective analysis of TURP patients was done from 2014 to 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of whether the demand for TC was sent or not. The age, preop prostate weight and preop Hb of patients where demand for TC sent was compared with patients where TC demand was not sent. Crossmatch to transfusion ratio (Crossmatch to transfusion ratio C/T ratio), Transfusion probability (%T) and Transfusion index (TI) were calculated. Results: Among the total 92 TURP patients, 42.4% (39/92) had TC samples sent preoperatively. Only three patients (3.2%, 3/92) required transfusion intraoperatively. CT ratio was 23.6, %T was 7.6% and TI was 0.07. Preop prostate weight and Hb were significantly higher and lower, respectively, for the group where request for TC was sent. Transfusion probability was also higher for this group. Conclusion: The blood utilization indices show the inadequate utilization of blood and that TC policy is unnecessary. Type and screen policy can be used for patients with large prostate and/or low Hb while type and hold would be appropriate for rest of the patients. Change in pretransfusion policy would reduce workforce and reagent wastage along with efficient inventory management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 disease is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In the first half of 2020 COVID-19 disease has already converted into a global pandemic. Many treatment options were explored through the world. Aims and Objectives: To compare the efficacy and outcome of methylprednisolone (MTP) and dexamethasone (DEXA) in moderate-to-severe COVID-19 disease. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 140 moderate to severe COVID-19 patients were enrolled from 15 April to June 15, 2021. These patients were randomly allocated into two groups, 70 patients were received MTP 2 mg/kg/day for 3 days followed by 1.0 mg/kg/day for 3 days in divided doses while 70 patients received DEXA 8 mg/day in divided dose up to 10 days. Results: The mean age was 45.5 years in MTP group whereas 45.34 years in DEXA group. The clinical outcome in MTP group and DEXA group was assessed in terms of clinical improvement (92.85% vs. 81.42%), radiological improvement (82.85% vs. 68.57%), transfer to ICU (5.71 vs. 14.57%), needs of ventilatory support (2.85% vs. 8.57%) and mortality (7.14% vs. 18.57%) respectively. Conclusion: In this study, MTP demonstrated better outcome as compared to DEXA in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A molecular analysis of serologically RhD variant samples was conducted to find the incidence of various D variants in our blood donor population. Background: Determining a blood donor's RhD phenotype and genotype is important as transfusion of units with a weak D or partial D phenotype can result in immunisation of the recipients. Methods: Samples with discrepant D and weak D phenotypes identified on testing with at least five different monoclonal anti‐D antisera were considered serological RhD variant and subjected to molecular testing (Massarray kit, Agena Bioscience, San Diego) for variant RHD gene. Results: A total of 39 samples, including 19 RhD discrepant samples and 20 weak D samples, were identified as serological RhD variant from a total of 4386 samples. Thirteen (13/39) samples carried variants leading to weak D phenotype, and eight samples had variants leading to partial D categories. Seven samples (7) could not be characterised, whereas 11 samples were identified as Rh negative (RHD*01N.01) after molecular testing. Overall incidence of D variants in the study population was 0.48%. RHD*weak D type 1(5, 0.1%) and RHD*DFR1 (5, 1%) were the most common variants identified. Conclusions: Few samples with weak reaction on serological testing were found to be partial D variant and vice versa. Donor centres should develop a protocol for genotyping of samples with aberrant results on serological testing for assessing the actual RhD status of an individual as results of serological testing may be misleading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) used for screening blood donors for transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) can sometimes fail to detect blood donors who are recently infected or possessing the low strength of pathogen. Estimation of a grey zone in ELISA testing and repeat testing of grey zone samples can further help in reducing the risks of TTI in countries where nucleic acid amplification testing for TTIs is not feasible. Materials and Methods: Grey zone samples with optical density (OD) lying between cut-off OD and 10% below the cut-off OD (cut-off OD × 0.9) were identified during routine ELISA testing. On performing repeat ELISA testing on grey zone samples in duplicate, the samples showing both OD value below grey zone were marked nonreactive, and samples showing one or both OD value in the grey zone were marked indeterminate. The samples on repeat testing showing one or both OD above cut-off value were marked positive. Results: About 119 samples (77 for hepatitis B virus [HBV], 23 for human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], and 19 for hepatitis C virus [HCV]) were found to be in grey zone. On repeat testing of these samples in duplicate, 70 (58.8%) samples (45 for HBV, 12 for HIV, and 13 for HCV) were found to be reactive. Six (5%) samples (four for HBV, one for HIV, and one for HCV) were found to be indeterminate. Conclusion: Seventy donors initially screened negative, were found out to be potentially infectious on repeat grey zone testing. Thus, estimation of grey zone samples with repeat testing can further enhance the safety of blood transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]