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ObjectiveThe paucity of specialised care in the peripheral areas of developing countries necessitates the referral of sick neonates to higher centres. Organised interhospital transport services provided by a skilled and well-equipped team can significantly improve the outcome. The present study evaluated the transport characteristics and predictors of mortality among neonates referred to a tertiary care centre in North India.DesignProspective observational study.SettingsTertiary care teaching hospital in North India.Patients1013 neonates referred from peripheral health units.Main outcome measuresMortality among referred neonates on admission to our centre.ResultsOf the 1013 enrolled neonates, 83% were transferred through national ambulance services, 13.7% through private hospital ambulances and 3.3% through personal vehicles. Major transfer indications were prematurity (35%), requirement for ventilation (32%), birth asphyxia (28%) and hyperbilirubinaemia (19%). Hypothermia (32.5%, 330 of 1013), shock (19%, 192 of 1013) and requirement for immediate cardiorespiratory support (ICRS) (10.4%, 106 of 1013) on arrival were the major complications observed during transfer. A total of 305 (30.1%, N=1013) deaths occurred. Of these, 52% (n=160) died within 24 hours of arrival. On multivariate logistic analysis, unsupervised pregnancy (<4 antenatal visits; p=0.037), antenatal complications (p<0.001), prematurity ≤30 weeks (p=0.005), shock (p=0.001), hypothermia (p<0.001), requirement for ICRS on arrival (p<0.001), birth asphyxia (p=0.004), travel time >2 hours (p=0.005) and absence of trained staff during transfer (p<0.001) were found to be significant predictors of mortality.ConclusionThe present study depicts high mortality among infants referred to our centre. Adequate training of peripheral health personnel and availability of pre-referral stabilisation and dedicated interhospital transport teams for sick neonate transfers may prove valuable interventions for improved outcomes.

Background Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India, where delayed diagnosis and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) challenge effective management. Conventional blood cultures, taking 2-5 days for pathogen identification, delay targeted therapy, worsening outcomes, and fueling AMR. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) (bioMérieux, USA) offers rapid diagnostics, potentially transforming neonatal sepsis care. This study assesses the diagnostic speed of MALDI-TOF MS versus conventional methods in neonates with suspected sepsis at a North Indian tertiary hospital, alongside bacteriological and AMR profiling. Methodology From November 2022 to November 2023, we prospectively enrolled 100 consecutive outborn neonates (<28 days) with suspected sepsis (positive sepsis screen: ≥2 parameters, e.g., C-reactive protein, leukocyte count) at a tertiary care hospital. Neonates with prior antibiotics, severe asphyxia, or malformations were excluded. Blood samples underwent BacT/Alert culture, with pathogens identified by conventional methods (2-5 days) and MALDI-TOF MS (VITEK MS, bioMérieux, USA). Time-to-identification was compared (paired t-test, p < 0.05). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing used VITEK-2 (bioMérieux, USA) per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, with chi-square tests analyzing microbiological and AMR data. Results Among 100 neonates (50 early-onset sepsis (EOS), mean age = 1.34 ± 0.692 days; 50 late-onset sepsis (LOS), mean age = 14.418 ± 9.395 days), MALDI-TOF MS identified pathogens in 1.47 ± 0.979 days (median = 2 days) versus 2.83 ± 0.817 days (median = 3 days) for conventional culture (p = 0.0052), a 48% reduction. (35%) and (28%) predominated EOS, while LOS included (30%), (30%), and (10%, LOS-only). Gram-negative isolates showed >85% susceptibility to meropenem and ertapenem; amikacin and colistin were effective, though had reduced amikacin sensitivity (60%). Beta-lactams were poorly effective (<40%). Gram-positive isolates were sensitive to linezolid and vancomycin (>90%), except spp. (0% vancomycin susceptibility). Conclusions MALDI-TOF MS accelerates neonatal sepsis diagnosis by 1.36 days, enabling earlier targeted therapy. Coupled with dominant pathogens ( , ) and rising AMR (e.g., vancomycin-resistant ), it highlights the need for rapid diagnostics in LMICs. Carbapenems remain viable empirical options, but resistance trends demand stewardship. This study supports integrating MALDI-TOF MS into neonatal care, enhancing outcomes and informing antibiotic policies.

ObjectiveDefinitive guidance regarding the duration of antibiotics for neonatal sepsis is lacking. We hypothesised that a 7-day antibiotic course is non-inferior to a 14-day course for treating culture-proven sepsis.DesignRandomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial with masked outcome assessment in eight centres in a low and middle-income country.PatientsNeonates with a birth weight (BW) ≥1000 g and blood culture-proven sepsis were randomised on day 7 of sensitive antibiotic therapy provided sepsis had clinically remitted. Exclusions: Staphylococcus aureus or fungal sepsis, and infections requiring prolonged antibiotics. We planned to enrol 350 per group, assuming 10% rate of primary outcome, +7% non-inferiority margin, one-sided 5% alpha, 90% power, 10% loss to follow-up.Intervention7 days (no further treatment); comparison: 14 days (7 days postrandomisation).OutcomesPrimary: relapse (definite or probable) within day 21 postantibiotic completion. Secondary outcomes: composite of mortality or definite/probable/secondary sepsis and duration of hospitalisation. One interim analysis (per protocol (PP)) was planned.Results126 and 135 subjects were recruited in 7-day and 14-day groups, respectively, with mean (SD) birth weight (BW) 2250.9 (741.1) and 2187.8 (718.8) g. The trial was terminated early, based on interim PP analysis. 2/125 and 6/130 subjects had the primary outcome in 7-day and 14-day groups, respectively (risk difference (RD)=−3.0% (99.5% CI −9.2%, +3.1%), below non-inferiority margin). The composite secondary outcome also favoured the 7-day regimen (RD: −3.7% (99.5% CI −12.4% to +5.1%)). Duration of hospitalisation was shorter in 7-day group (median difference: −4 days (95% CI −5 to –3)).ConclusionsA 7-day course of antibiotics may be non-inferior to a 14-day course for uncomplicated bacterial neonatal sepsis.Trial registration number NCT03280147.

In April 2016, an indigenous monovalent rotavirus vaccine (Rotavac) was introduced to the National Immunization Program in India. Hospital-based surveillance for acute gastroenteritis was conducted in five sentinel sites from 2012 to 2020 to monitor the vaccine impact on various genotypes and the reduction in rotavirus positivity at each site. Stool samples collected from children under 5 years of age hospitalized with diarrhea were tested for group A rotavirus using a commercial enzyme immunoassay, and rotavirus strains were characterized by RT-PCR. The proportion of diarrhea hospitalizations attributable to rotavirus at the five sites declined from a range of 56–29.4% in pre-vaccine years to 34–12% in post-vaccine years. G1P[8] was the predominant strain in the pre-vaccination period, and G3P[8] was the most common in the post-vaccination period. Circulating patterns varied throughout the study period, and increased proportions of mixed genotypes were detected in the post-vaccination phase. Continuous long-term surveillance is essential to understand the diversity and immuno-epidemiological effects of rotavirus vaccination.

Background Neonatal sepsis is a global public health problem. There is no consensus regarding the optimum duration of antibiotics for culture-proven neonatal sepsis. Published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing shorter versus longer courses of antibiotics provide low-quality evidence with serious risk of bias. We hypothesized that among neonates with uncomplicated culture-proven sepsis, antibiotic duration of 7 days is not inferior to 14 days. Methods This is a multi-centric, parallel-group, stratified, block-randomized, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial with outcome assessment blinded. Stratification is by center and birth weight. Neonates weighing ≥1000 g at birth, with blood-culture-proven sepsis (barring Staphylococcus aureus and fungi), without conditions warranting > 14 days antibiotics, and who clinically remit, are enrolled in the RCT on day 7 of administration of sensitive antibiotics. They are randomly allocated to no further antibiotics (intervention arm: total 7 days) or 7 more days of the same antibiotics (control arm: total 14 days). Allocation is concealed by opaque, sealed envelopes. The primary outcome is “definite or probable relapse” within 21 days after antibiotic completion. Secondary outcomes include definite and probable relapses at various timepoints until day 35 post-randomization, secondary infections, and adverse events. The neonatologist adjudicating probable relapses and lab personnel are blinded. Three hundred fifty subjects will be recruited in each arm, assuming a non-inferiority margin of 7%, one-sided alpha error 5%, and power of 90%. Analysis will be per protocol and by intention-to-treat. An independent Data Safety Monitoring Board monitors adverse events and will perform one interim analysis when 50% of expected primary outcomes have occurred or 50% of subjects have completed follow-up, whichever is earlier. O’Brien-Fleming criteria will be used to stop for mid-term benefit and Pocock’s to stop for mid-term harm. A priori subgroup analyses are planned by birth weight categories, gram-stain status of pathogens, and radiological pneumonia. Discussion This trial will provide evidence to guide practice regarding optimum duration of antibiotics for culture-proven neonatal bacterial sepsis. If a 7-day regime is proved to be non-inferior to a 14-day regime, it is likely to reduce hospital stay, costs, adverse effects of drugs, and nosocomial infections. Trial registration Clinical Trials Registry India CTRI/2017/09/009743 . Registered on 13 September 2017.

Deficient antioxidant defenses in preterm infants have been implicated in diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, periventricular leukomalacia, and intraventricular hemorrhage. The antioxidant properties of selenium make it important in the nutrition of very low-birth weight (VLBW) infants. Selenium is a component of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), an enzyme that prevents the production of free radicals. Preterm infants have low selenium stores and require supplementation by parenteral and enteral routes. This communiquι reviews the beneficial role that selenium supplementation might play in improving neonatal outcomes.

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) produces a progressive organic brain damage by altering brain function with alterations in memory, difficulties in learning, and behavioral changes. The present study was designed to compare the cognitive and behavioral profile of school-going children aged 6-14 years with newly diagnosed NCC with their age-matched controls. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 6-14 years with newly (<7 days) diagnosed NCC. Age- and gender-matched typically developing children with minor illness attending outpatient facility served as control. Intelligence and behavioral assessment were performed using Malin's Intelligence Scale for Indian Children and Childhood Behavior Checklist (CBCL) (school age version CBCL/6-18). CBCL T- scores were computed and scores < 60 were considered as normal, 60-63 as borderline, and > 63 as clinical range. Results: A total of 35 cases and 35 controls were enrolled. Baseline demographic characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) scores were comparable between the cases (96.14 [10.23]) and controls (100.17 [10.89]) (P = 0.11). The behavioral assessment revealed normal T- scores (<60) in both the groups. Conclusions: The study revealed comparable IQ and normal behavioral profile of treatment-naïve children with recently diagnosed NCC to their age-matched peers. Further studies with larger sample size and longitudinal study design are required to evaluate the role of NCC on cognition and behavior in Indian children.

Severe pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) complicated by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in adults has been reported previously in the medical literature; however, childhood extrapulmonary TB complicated by DVT is rare. We report a 13-year-old girl who presented to the Department of Pediatrics at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Rohtak, India, in 2012 with abdominal TB complicated by DVT and intracranial sinus thrombosis. She was treated with a course of four antitubercular drugs and short-term anticoagulation therapy with a positive outcome over the next six months. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous reports have yet suggested a possible association between childhood TB and intracranial sinus thrombosis.