Rehabilitation of P.E.M. children

Objective. The High Density Diet (HDD) tested in this study is a diet prepared with indigenous food items and is therefore inexpensive.Methods : Malnourished patients were inducted in three groups. Group A was given only high density diet (HDD) for 7 days and then given routine diet plus HDD for the next 7 days. Group B was given routine diet plus HDD for 14 days. Group C was given only routine diet for 14 days and was the control group.Results : The results were best when HDD was used as a supplement to routine diet (group B). The average weight gain in gm/kg/day for this group was 6, while that for the control group was 2.1. Group A had a weight gain of 4.8 gm/kg/day. Similarly the average caloric intake for the controls was very low throughout the 2-week period, while group B had the best intake, which rose steadily from day one and reached 1200 calories on day 14. Children in group A had a maximum intake of 800 calories in the first week and in the second week this rose up to 1200, equaling that of group B. No case of vomiting, abdominal pain and cramps were reported.Conclusion : The High Density Diet is hence, low in cost, easy to prepare at home by mothers and effective in bringing about rapid weight gain in malnourished children.     

Current status of B.C.G. vaccination

Conclusions The Chingleput trial indicates that B.C.G. did not protect vacinees against bacillary forms of lung tuberculosis. However it does not provide sufficient information on the effect of B.C.G. vaccine in infants and young children. Until conclusive evidence is available to the contrary, the practice of giving B.C.G. vaccine to infants and children should be continued.     

Impact of I.C.D.S. on preschoolers of urban slums

The I.C.D.S. project was launched by Government of India, and same is operating in Bombay urban slums since April 1976. The evaluation of the work done and impact of the various services provided through I.C.D.S. is being evaluated to study the progress. The study is done in six centres selected at random. All the children in these centres were examined by going door to door and interviewing parents by team of six junior doctors and two senior pediatricians. These services have produced tremendous impact on their nutritional status, immunisation and morbidity pattern which is statistically highly significant. The severe malnutrition has been brought down from 15.7% to 4.6%. The prevalence of common illnesses was also brought down initially to a great extent but in last two years, there has been negligible change in morbidity pattern.