Severe wasting among Indian infants <6 months: Findings from the National Family Health Survey 4

Burden and risk factors for wasting in the first 6 months of life among Indian children are not well documented. We used data from India's National Family Health Survey 4 to estimate the prevalence of severe wasting (weight for length < ‐3 SD) among 18,898 infants under 6 months of age. We also examined the association of severe wasting with household, maternal, and child‐related factors using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Prevalence of severe wasting among infants less than 6 months of age was 14.8%, ranging from 3.5 to 21% across states. Low birth weight (<2,500 g; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.40, 95% CI [1.19, 1.65]), nonutilization of supplementary nutrition by mother during lactation (AOR 1.23, 95% CI [1.05, 1.43]), and anthropometric assessment during summer (AOR 1.37, 95% CI [1.13, 1.65]) and monsoon months (AOR 1.53, 95% CI [1.20, 1.95]) were associated with higher odds of severe wasting. Infants aged 2 to 3 months (AOR 0.78, 95% CI [0.66, 0.93]) and 4 to 5 months (AOR 0.65, 95% CI [0.55, 0.73]) had lower odds of severe wasting as compared with the 0‐ to 1‐month category. This analysis reveals a high burden of severe wasting in infants less than 6 months in India. Preventive interventions must be targeted at reducing low birth weight due to fatal growth restriction and prematurity. Appropriate care practices at facilities and postdischarge with extra attention to those born small and sick can prevent further deterioration in nutritional status.     

A Web-Based Survey of Oculoplastic Surgeons Regarding the Management of Lower Lid Retraction

Purpose: To survey the opinion of oculoplastic surgeons on the assessment and management of lower eyelid retraction (LLR).

Methods: A web-based survey queried oculoplastic surgeon members of Ojoplast, Spanish and Brazilian Oculoplastic Societies on the management of LLR. The frequency and percentage proportions of the responses were analyzed.

Results: One hundred ninety-six oculoplastic surgeons participated in the survey. The main cause of LLR is post-blepharoplasty (62;31.6%). The most used sign to detect LLR is scleral show. The most common approaches to managing LLR are lateral canthal surgery (164/593;27.6%), autogenous spacers (148/593; 24.9%) and retractor release (131/593;22.1%). The preferred autogenous graft material includes ear cartilage (102/260;39.2%). The majority of surgeons (161/314; 51.3%) recommend massage or steroids injection (80/314;25.5%) for early post-blepharoplasty LLR, while, 54.1% (106/196) of participants suggested waiting for at least six months prior to surgical intervention. Frost suture is used after most LLR surgeries (154/196;91.1%). Incomplete correction is the main complication (111/310;35.8%) of LLR surgery. For mild LLR, 48% of the responders prefer clinical treatment; conversely, severe cases routinely require combined surgical techniques.

Conclusions: Oculoplastic surgeons frequently diagnose LLR based on scleral show. LLR management depends on the cause and severity of lid retraction. Mild cases, in general, receive clinical treatment and severe cases need a combination of surgical techniques and grafts.     

Sustainable fragrance cum antimicrobial finishing on cotton: Indigenous essential oil

Fragrance finishing of textile has been enormously increased and used in domestic and industrial application. Fragrance can be synthesis chemically but available in natural and inorganic. The investigation of this research is to study the combined effect of fragrance and antimicrobial finishing on cotton fabric by lavender essential oil with the use of β-Cyclodextrin, Chitosan citrate and β-Cyclodextrin/Grafted Chitosan through pad-dry method. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study the formation of ester bonds between β-cyclodextrin/grafted chitosan and cotton celluloses. For all the finished fabric samples fragrance release rate performance and antimicrobial properties were measure by standard test methods. The results revealed that β-CD was highly soluble in 0.6 gpl NaOH solution and 80 gpl β-CD and 6% essential lavender oil solutions were found to be a most suitable combination for fragrance and antimicrobial finishing. FTIR studies reveal about the formation of a carboxylic ester between cotton and β-Cyclodextrin/Grafted Chitosan at 1730 cm^?1 ester peak.     

Percutaneous Fetal Atrial Balloon Septoplasty for Simple Transposition of the Great Arteries With an Intact Atrial Septum

We report the first ultrasonographically guided percutaneous balloon atrial septoplasty (BAS), to our knowledge, in a fetus with transposition of the great arteries and an intact ventricular and atrial septum (37 + 2 weeks). After vaginal delivery at 38 weeks, the infant had an elective septostomy (day 1) and an arterial switch procedure (day 7), with an uneventful postoperative course. For centres with experience in fetal cardiac interventions, fetal BAS is a superior management option compared with the alternatives for this high-risk physiology.