bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mothers making milestones: Awareness of rural mothers toward pediatric milestones
Authors: Nagaria Tapesh D. , Shukla Samarth , Acharya Sourya , Acharya Neema , Shinde Raju K. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Developmental milestones are easily identifiable events during a child’s development, and their thorough monitoring is of utmost importance till 6 years of age. Rural mothers are rarely explained these milestones, which may be a reason for the higher prevalence of developmental disorders in rural areas (≊18%). This study aimed to assess the knowledge of developmental milestones in rural mothers attending a rural, tertiary care hospital and further provides intelligence to the mothers on the same. These measures will aid toward the early detection of developmental milestone anomalies.

Method:
PNC mothers in the obstetric ward and mothers attending the pediatric outpatient department and inpatient department were selected for the study and assessed for their knowledge of childhood milestones with the help of a short questionnaire based on the Denver II Developmental Scale in three languages. Based on the feedback from mothers, the appropriate counseling was given.

Results:
The questionnaire was assessed based on four basic domains, fine motor skills (23.33% responded correctly), personal and social skills (51.66% responded correctly), language skills (41.66% responded correctly), and gross motor skills (41.25% responded correctly). Upon later feedback, 33.33% reported a suspected developmental delay in their child.

Conclusions:
This study indicates a very low maternal awareness of pediatric milestones in rural areas, and considering the high prevalence of developmental delays in these areas, across the world, education of mothers is a necessary and a very effective method for early diagnosis. Formulation of a framework to address this issue on the part of the authorities and healthcare professionals is an effective solution for this underreported and important issue.
A retrospective study to assess adolescent nutritional deficiencies and the association with post-COVID-19 status
Authors: Gupta Arti , Kumar Pentapati Siva Santosh , Desu Sai Subhakar , Aravindakshan Rajeev , Reddy B Venkatashiva , Naidu Navya Krishna 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Adolescents represent 16% of the world’s population and around 21% of the Indian population. A study was done to assess the double burden of malnutrition, the proportion of inadequate intake of some important macronutrients and micronutrients, and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on nutrient intakes among adolescents.

Methodology:
Retrospective data analysis of the adolescents presented at the Adolescent Health Clinic at a teaching hospital (tertiary care level) in Andhra Pradesh, India, between September 2022 and December 2022 was done in the current study.

Results:
A total of 800 adolescents were studied with the mean age of the participants as 15.8 (±2.38) years of age. Among the participants, the majority (59%) were immunized with Td vaccination at 10 years and/or 16 years, 21% were not immunized, and the rest 20% did not remember the status. Only 17 participants had a history of COVID-19 infection in the past. The majority (62.75%) of the participants belong to normal nutrition status as per BMI for age WHO growth charts. There is a significant difference in the nutrition status between males and females belonging to overweight and obese subgroups. There is no significant difference in the intake with respect to past COVID-19 status. Almost all the participants take inadequate amounts of carbohydrates (calories), pyridoxine, folate, iron, calcium, vitamin D3, and retinol. Protein intake is inadequate in 63% of participants, and the deficient intake rises with the age with respect to both EAR and RDA guidelines.

Conclusion:
A large proportion of adolescents suffer from the double burden of malnutrition in South India, and almost all the adolescents do not get the recommended intake of most of the macro- and micronutrients in their diet following the lockdown and online schooling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SEMAGLUTIDE: Weight loss, glycaemic control and safety profile in obese patients with and without type-II diabetes-An experience from Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Memon Muhammad Y. , Ahsan Tasnim , Jabeen Rukhshanda , Latif Saba , Qasim Saeeda F. , Imran Paras 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To assess the efficacy and safety of Semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) in obese patients with and without Type-II Diabetes Mellitus.

Methods:
This observational analytic cohort study was conducted in a private medical institute in Karachi Pakistan; from August 2022 to January 2023. A total of 65 obese individuals >18 years of age, with or without T2D were included. Semaglutide was started with an initial dose of 0.25 mg with an increase in dose to 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg with gap of 4 weeks between each dose escalation. Patients were kept on the maximally tolerated dose, not exceeding 2 mg/week. Patients were evaluated on the first and second follow-up at 3 and 6 months respectively, for the same parameters as noted at the initial visit, along with documentation of any adverse effect.

Results:
Out of 65 patients, 49.2% were female and 50.8% were male. Mean age was 49.16 ± 14.20 years. 47.7% of the patients had hypertension, 46.2% had diabetes mellitus, 35.4% had dyslipidemia and 13.8% had ischemic heart disease. All patients were using 0.5 mg of semaglutide after three months, however by six months 33.8% were using 1 mg, and 24.6% were on 2 mg, whereas 40% decided to adhere to 0.5 mg and only 1.5% decided to reduce the dose to 0.25 mg due to adverse effects. Patients reported start of the first adverse effect by 3.44 ± 2.27 weeks of starting the drug. By the end of three months, 55.4% of patients in our study reported adverse effect, which declined to 34.5% by the end of six months, and the majority being mild to moderate and the most frequent side effects were gastrointestinal in origin. There was no significant difference in side effect profile in between those with and without diabetes mellitus. The average weight loss was 5.81 ± 2.64 kg and 9.86 ± 3.54 kg after three and six months respectively and the amount of weight loss was almost equal in those with and without T2D. A significant decline was observed in the average HbA1c levels, body mass index (p = <0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = <0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p = <0.001), total cholesterol (p = <0.001), high-density lipoprotein (p = <0.001), low-density lipoprotein (p = <0.001), triglycerides (p = <0.001) and alanine transaminase levels (p = <0.001).

Conclusion:
Semaglutide showed substantial weight, HbA1c and cholesterol reductions in those with or without type-II diabetes.
Prevalence of sleep disorders and association with various occupations among Indian population aged ≥ 45 years: Insight from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)
Authors: Sreepada Sai SreeValli Sarma , Halder Pritam , Amudhamozhi K S , Soni Vaishali , Sharma Hitendra , Rathor Shivani 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
By scrutinizing the impact of job schedules, workplace culture and stress levels, our study aims to determine the prevalence of sleep disorders among various occupations and its associated factors. The findings promise to enhance the overall well-being, sleep quality and productivity in various occupational settings.

Methods:
This is an analytical cross-sectional study involving secondary data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI Wave I 2017-18) of 35 Indian states and union territories with exception of Sikkim. The study included 59441 Indian volunteers who older than 45 years. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to study the association of sleep disorders among various occupations while accounting for other associated factors.

Results:
Prevalence of sleep disorders was higher among the females (12.66%), unemployed (13.34%), ≥ 60-yr age group (13.45%), those who lived in rural areas (12.35%), those who were illiterate (12.80%) and reported themselves to be widowed, separated or divorced (14.54%), people with no health insurance (11.74%), smokers (12.11%), without physical activity (12.67%) and also rated themselves as poor in the self-rated health status (26.77%). Alcohol consumption was not statistically significant factor for sleep disorders.

Conclusions:
There is an emerging need for targeted screening, prompt detection and early management of insomnia and other sleep disorders among the high-risk groups. Provision of accessible and affordable screening tools, training skills for early diagnosis at primary care level and/or proper referral services to higher centres form the cornerstone for adequate management of sleep disorders.
Seropositivity and coinfection of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses in Central India: A hospital-based study
Authors: Jain Rajeev K. , Shrivastava Rakesh , Jain Shailendra K. , Chaurasia Deepti , Jain Anamika , Jain Swati , Ahirwar Kamlesh K. , Perumal Nagaraj 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) show similarity in the transmission, distribution, hepatotropism, and leading to chronic asymptomatic infection. Coinfection of HBV and HCV can lead to more severe liver disease and an increased risk for progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most of the people with chronic infection are unaware of their HBV and HCV infections, hence facilitating these to go undiagnosed until these viruses have caused serious liver damage and they act as a potential source of infection for the community at large. Therefore, the present study aimed to find the prevalence of HBV and HCV along with incidences of coinfection of HBV and HCV in patients seeking hospital care in central India.

Methods:
A five-year hospital-based study was carried out at the tertiary care hospital in Central India from 2018 to 2022. A total of 72402 patients attending the outdoor patients and admitted indoor patients who were advised for HBV and HCV for screening before any invasive/surgical procedure and patients who presented with symptoms of acute or chronic liver disease were included in this study. Screening was done by immunochromatography-based card test followed by the confirmation of all samples by enzyme immunoassay.

Results:
Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV was found to be 3.71% and 1.91%, respectively. Coinfection with HBV/HCV was seen in 0.13% of the individuals. The overall prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HBV-HCV coinfection was significantly higher in the male population as compared to females.

Conclusion:
The study findings of seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among the hospital-based population will help to get a baseline understanding of the disease burden in central India. The HBV/HCV coinfection rate also raises serious concerns owing to its high prevalence rate among the younger age.
A prospective blinded diagnostic accuracy study to assess the accuracy of fetal weight estimation at term by clinical method using Leopold’s maneuvers and ultrasonography in predicting the actual birth weight
Authors: Gifty D , Cherian Nidhi E. , Raj. S. L Arathy , Yenuberi Hilda G. , Rathore Swati , Mathews Jiji E. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Context:
Over-medicalization of normal pregnancy is associated with unnecessary inductions of labor leading to operative deliveries. In a busy outpatient department (OPD) or low-resource setup where ultrasound availability, experience, and cost will be a concern, routine ultrasound at term can be avoided if the clinical estimation of fetal weight is more or less equal to the actual birth weight.

Aims:
To assess the reliability and validity of fetal weight estimation at term by ultrasound and clinical estimation.

Settings and Design:
A prospective study of diagnostic accuracy was done over a period of 1.5 years in a tertiary hospital, which included 100 women with term singleton pregnancies admitted in obstetric wards or labor room.

Methods and Material:
To find out the agreement between actual birthweight and ultrasound fetal weight interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used. Mean difference plots (Bland–Altman plots) were done. The mean percentage error was compared with the consultant estimate and registrar estimate across groups. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values by clinical and ultrasound estimate were calculated for actual birth weight ≤ 2.5 kg.

Results:
Both methods of fetal weight estimation have moderate reliability in predicting the actual birth weight. The sensitivity of identifying birthweight < 2.5 kg babies by ultrasound was slightly higher. For birth weight less than 2.5 kg, there was an overestimation of fetal weight by clinical estimation done by postgraduate with mean percentage error being statistically significant as compared with ultrasound estimation.

Conclusions:
In a developing country like ours where ultrasound is not readily available in all healthcare setups, the clinical method is an easy, cost-effective, simple one that can be used by all medical professionals after adequate training.
Erythropoietin levels in geriatric anemia
Authors: Fathima OV , Shastri Malvika , Kotru Mrinalini , Jain Rajat , Goel Ashish , Sikka Meera 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Defects in the production or action of erythropoietin (EPO) are important contributing factors in anemia. However, the exact impact of aging on levels of EPO and its role in the development of geriatric anemia is still underexplored. Moreover, the specific pattern of EPO in etiological subcategories such as nutritional anemia (NA), anemia of chronic disease (ACD), and unexplained anemia (UA) is not entirely known.

Objective:
The aim of the study was to determine the serum EPO levels in geriatric anemia and compare them across NA, ACD, UA, and NA with ACD.

Materials and Methods:
Ninety anemic geriatric patients (cases) along with 30 non-anemic geriatric controls were evaluated for serum EPO levels. A correlation between S.EPO and inflammatory markers was also done.

Results:
Serum EPO levels were higher in cases as compared to controls (P < 0.00). After adjusting for outliers, the reference range of EPO in controls was the same as in normal young adults (2.21–20.95 mU/mL). The majority (37/58, 63.7%) of NA patients had increased S.EPO levels (highest among all four subcategories and controls). S.EPO also correlated inversely with high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and serum ferritin (SF), reinforcing that the inflammatory state suppresses S.EPO levels.

Conclusion:
Geriatric anemic patients have elevated S.EPO as compared to non-anemic controls (observed reference range similar to young adults). Raised EPO levels were detected more frequently in NA, while they were the lowest in UA.
Estimation of the adverse effects following immunization after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Covishield and Covaxin) in lactating women: A single centre exploratory study from India
Authors: Panwar Parshika , Kumar Prakash , Tendulkar Prakash , Pathania Monika , Navriya Shiv C. , Saxena Vartika , Singh Mahendra 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Context:
The global COVID-19 pandemic has universally impacted individuals, with lactating women being uniquely susceptible to severe infection. Vaccination plays a critical role in building population immunity, mitigating severe illness and curtailing the health crisis. However, data on adverse effects and vaccine safety in lactating women remains scarce.

Aims:
To assess the prevalence and types of adverse effects post-COVID vaccination in lactating women.

Methods:
This study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital’s COVID-19 vaccination centre in North India, and followed a prospective observational design over a specific timeframe. A total of 200 lactating women were surveyed, with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria applied. Telephonic follow-up was conducted for one month after the first dose for 152 participants and after the second dose for 123 participants. Adverse effects following immunization (AEFIs) were recorded and analyzed.

Results:
Of the study cohort, 45 (29.60%) reported minor adverse effects following the first vaccine dose, with just four (3.25%) experiencing adverse effects after the second dose. Common AEFIs included fever (18.42%) and body aches (9.21%), along with headache, malaise, injection site pain and diffuse abdominal pain.

Conclusions:
This study provides valuable insights into the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines in lactating women, which can help primary physicians and policy maker to improve vaccination policies and guidelines. The study revealed that lactating mothers experienced only mild AEFIs, aligning with current literature. Further broader, multicentre research is needed to reinforce these findings and to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in this population.
Post-COVID pandemic: The new normal and aftermath
Authors: Selvam Keerthi Panneer , Kosalram Kalpana , Chinnaiyan Saravanan 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unparalleled worldwide transformations, impacting all facets of human existence, including health systems, economies, societal norms, and individual behaviors.

Aim:
The goal is to comprehend the enduring alterations in public health strategies, economic recuperation processes, changes in work and education paradigms, and the psychological consequences for populations globally.

Methods and Materials:
This analysis uses a multidisciplinary approach by incorporating data from healthcare studies, economic reports, educational research, and psychological assessments. It aims to offer a comprehensive perspective on the world after the pandemic.

Results:
The findings suggest that the “New Normal” encompasses a wide range of changes, such as a greater dependence on digital technology, a transition toward remote work and learning, substantial modifications in global supply chains, and a revised outlook on health and wellness. The potential long-term consequences of these changes indicate that some may provide opportunities for innovation and expansion, whereas others present challenges that necessitate strategic planning and policy interventions.

Conclusion:
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic presents a critical moment for global leaders, policymakers, and individuals to navigate the complexities of a transformed world, emphasizing the need for resilience, adaptability, and a renewed commitment to collective well-being.
Oral health inequalities among geriatric population: A systematic review
Authors: Samal Aseema , Menon Ipseeta , Jha Kunal , Kumar Gunjan , Singh Arpita 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

As per the World Health Organization, governments should aim to accomplish two significant global milestones by 2030: reducing health disparities and granting universal accessibility to healthcare. The aim of this article was to systematically review the inequalities and understand the multifactorial causation of oral health inequalities among the older adults.

Methods:
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) standards were used to carry out the review and is documented in PROSPERO CRD42026695761. Two authors did the search and screening in accordance with the protocol. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost articles of the last 10 years were searched for research presenting data on oral health status and oral health related quality of life in the elderly population. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) for retrospective and prospective research.

Results:
Only 24 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were incorporated into the qualitative synthesis. Multiple aspects of oral health and the related variables influencing disparities in oral health in the elderly population living in institutions have a positive link.

Conclusion:
The findings support the notion that this demographic consists of weak, dependent individuals who have poor oral health. The vulnerable elderly institutionalized population was recognized and validated, thus helps in providing measures that will eventually focus the risk factors to improve their OHRQoL.
Rural health dynamics: Exploring the prevalence of prediabetes and prehypertension among the rural population of Puducherry district
Authors: Thamizhmaran S , Dsouza Madonna J , Ramadass Divyabharathy , Daniel J Arun 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Noncommunicable diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide, claiming 41 million lives annually. Notably, type 2 diabetes not only presents well-known complications but also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease silently. Furthermore, concerningly high rates of undiagnosed diabetes and hypertension emphasize the need for improved diagnostic capabilities and enhanced awareness. The growing prevalence of prediabetes, a precursor to diabetes, further underscores the urgency for proactive action. Therefore, addressing the silent killers through early detection and comprehensive management strategies is crucial to combat this global health crisis.

Objective:
The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of prediabetes and prehypertension and the factors associated with them among the rural population of Puducherry district.

Methodology:
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 adults more than 30 years of age residing in rural field practice areas of a private medical college in the Puducherry district over 8 months (January 2023 to August 2023). Multistage sampling was employed. After obtaining written informed consent, data collection included a pretested questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference) and blood pressure measurements were recorded; on subsequent days, fasting capillary blood sugar levels were checked. The data were analyzed using SPSS v21.

Results:
On categorization based on the Indian Diabetes Risk Score, the results showed that 14.4% of participants were high-risk for diabetes, with 74% and 11.5% falling into medium- and low-risk categories, respectively. Also, the prevalence of hypertension was 31.3%, with an additional 13% prehypertensive and 55.8% normotensive. Notably, 64.6% of hypertensive individuals had Stage I and 35.4% had Stage II. Family history, self-reported diet, physical activity, and body mass index were significantly associated with prediabetes/diabetes (P value < 0.05). In addition to this, there has been a significant association between the risk of developing diabetes and systolic blood pressure (P value = 0.011).

Conclusion:
Family history emerged as a significant risk factor for both diabetes and hypertension, highlighting the importance of genetic predisposition and the potential benefit of targeted family-based interventions. These findings raise concerns regarding the high prevalence of diabetes and hypertension risk factors within this population.