{"title":"Operational Challenges in Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) Program Delivery in Delhi: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Pragya Sharma, Ajanya Vattaparambil, Ritika Bakshi, Nidhi Bhatnagar, Shivani Rao","doi":"10.1007/s13312-025-00263-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13312-025-00263-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To understand the operational challenges in the effective implementation of the home-based newborn care (HBNC) program based on qualitative assessment of the stakeholders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Interviews were conducted among various stakeholders [Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxillary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), medical officers, beneficiaries, ASHA coordinators, district program officers, nodal officers] of all the 11 districts of Delhi. Data management was done using NVivo 11 software and analyzed using inductive content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The knowledge of the HBNC program was satisfactory with a lack of specific and regular training on the subject. The lack of trust in quality of the HBNC kit, ineffective referral systems, and lack of on-the-job field monitoring and supervision of ASHAs were the major challenges in the program implementation. Migration of beneficiaries, myths, and cultural practices in the society along with administrative work overload affected the performance of the program.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Regular training for ASHAs, quality assurance, and testing of kits are required for better HBNC service delivery. Framework for supportive supervision and procedural support in establishing referral linkages for sick newborns is essential for the effective implementation of the program.</p>","PeriodicalId":13291,"journal":{"name":"Indian pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"565-571"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147511920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Indian pediatricsPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-04-13DOI: 10.1007/s13312-026-00333-4
Prasad Iyer, Rajat Bhattacharyya, Gaurav Kharya
{"title":"Democratizing the Cure: Indigenous Innovations and the Future of Pediatric Cell and Gene Therapy in India.","authors":"Prasad Iyer, Rajat Bhattacharyya, Gaurav Kharya","doi":"10.1007/s13312-026-00333-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13312-026-00333-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cell and gene therapy (CGT) represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of diseases once regarded incurable. This is particularly true for pediatric cancers and inherited disorders which often have a monogenic basis. While the global landscape of CGT is rapidly evolving with numerous approved products, India faces unique challenges in adopting high-cost, complex therapies. This perspective offers a comprehensive overview of the current status of pediatric CGT in India, emphasizing the urgent need for affordable and indigenous alternatives. We examined the spectrum of conditions for which CGT shows potential for pediatric patients, analyzed significant research and clinical studies from India, and investigated the pipeline of new products and therapies approaching clinical trials. This analysis provides a roadmap for the future of this transformative field in India in light of emerging regulatory and ethical regulations.</p>","PeriodicalId":13291,"journal":{"name":"Indian pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"589-593"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147672773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Indian pediatricsPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-04-08DOI: 10.1007/s13312-026-00329-0
Yakup Karakurt, Emrah Can
{"title":"Association of Day-1 Hemoglobin Oxygen Affinity (p50) with Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants.","authors":"Yakup Karakurt, Emrah Can","doi":"10.1007/s13312-026-00329-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13312-026-00329-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The partial pressure of oxygen at which hemoglobin is saturated at 50% (p50) reflects the balance between oxygen loading and tissue unloading. This study was conducted to ascertain if a lower p50 is linked to a greater incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study included very preterm infants (≤ 32 weeks' gestation) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023. p50 was obtained from the first arterial blood gas, measured within 12h after birth. IVH was graded using cranial ultrasonography according to the Papile classification; severe IVH was defined as grades III-IV. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for gestational age, sex, early-onset sepsis, and invasive ventilation exposure were used to ascertain role of hemoglobin p50 for predicting severe IVH in very preterm infants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 290 eligible infants [mean (SD) gestational age: 28.4 (2.6) weeks; mean (SD) birth weight: 1210 (365 g], 230 (79%) had no IVH, 26 (9%) had mild IVH, and 34 (12%) had severe IVH. The median day-1 p50 decreased with increasing IVH severity (no IVH: 21.5 mmHg; mild IVH: 18.7 mmHg; severe IVH: 16.0 mmHg; P < 0.001). In adjusted models, lower day-1 p50 was independently associated with severe IVH (adjusted odds ratio 1.38 per 1 mmHg decrease; 95%CI 1.09-1.82; P = 0.012).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Lower day-1 p50 is independently associated with severe IVH in very preterm infants.</p>","PeriodicalId":13291,"journal":{"name":"Indian pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"572-576"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147633218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Celiac Disease and HLADQ2/DQ8 Genotypes in Severe Acute Malnutrition: A Hospital-Based Study.","authors":"Swetketu Singh, Ankur Singh, Vinod Kumar, Ved Prakash Singh, Akhtar Ali, Amrita Ghosh Kar, Abhishek Abhinay, Rajniti Prasad","doi":"10.1007/s13312-026-00297-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13312-026-00297-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To determine the proportion of celiac disease (CD) among children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and to evaluate the distribution and association of HLA-DQ2/DQ8 genotypes in affected children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Children aged 6-59 months diagnosed with SAM were assessed for inclusion. Those with secondary causes of SAM like underlying chronic illnesses like congenital heart disease, renal disease, or immunodeficiency were excluded. All participants were tested for tissue transglutaminase (tTG) immunoglobulin A serology, endoscopic biopsy of duodenum and HLA DQ2/DQ8 genotyping. tTG IgA serology positive and histopathology compatible (Modified Marsh grade ≥ II) cases were grouped as group A (SAM with CD). Rest of the cases were grouped as group B (SAM without CD).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 140 children with SAM, 20 with secondary causes of malnutrition were excluded. 40 out of 140 participants (28.57%) were tTG IgA positive with duodenal biopsy confirmatory of CD (group A). HLA-DQ2/DQ8 positivity was observed in 95% in group A and 57% of group B (P < 0.001). The most frequent genotype was HLA-DQ2.5 (67.5% in group A, 35% in group B; OR = 3.86, 95% CI 1.72-8.63).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A substantial proportion of children with SAM have undiagnosed CD with HLA-DQ2.5 genotype being the most common genotype.</p>","PeriodicalId":13291,"journal":{"name":"Indian pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"552-557"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147472874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock in Children: Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines 2026.","authors":"Saroj Kumar Tripathy, Sarthak Das, Md Ehtesham Ansari","doi":"10.1007/s13312-026-00370-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13312-026-00370-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sepsis is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in children. The pediatric-specific Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines 2026 introduce probable sepsis, suspected septic shock, and septic shock with persistent hypoperfusion to practically involve all children, aged ≥ 37 weeks at birth to 18 years, with acute infection and organ dysfunction. Key changes in these guidelines include measuring blood lactate at initial assessment, early antimicrobial therapy, implementation of performance improvement programs in hospitals, and the use of cardiac and lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), a conservative oxygen strategy (SpO₂ target 88-92%), and early rehabilitation. The 2026 update highlights flexibility, early recognition, cautious intervention, and long-term recovery, while recognizing considerable gaps in evidence that warrant further research.</p>","PeriodicalId":13291,"journal":{"name":"Indian pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"584-588"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148294814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Indian pediatricsPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-07-06DOI: 10.1007/s13312-026-00382-9
Pradeep Babu Uppaluri, Manjinder Singh Randhawa
{"title":"Adding Purpose to Pulse: 2025 Pediatric Life Support Update.","authors":"Pradeep Babu Uppaluri, Manjinder Singh Randhawa","doi":"10.1007/s13312-026-00382-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13312-026-00382-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The American Heart Association (AHA) revised the Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support guidelines in 2025 to reflect on the current evidence and best practices. The key changes include a special emphasis on post-cardiac arrest care, prognostication, and survivorship. Other major changes include the elimination of 2-finger chest compressions in infants with a recommendation of compressing the chest with the heel-of-1-hand technique or 2-thumb-encircling hands technique; the preferential and immediate use of an automated external defibrillator with a pediatric attenuator, if available, for cardiac arrest; and in children with severe foreign-body airway obstruction repeated cycles of 5 back blows alternating with 5 abdominal thrusts.</p>","PeriodicalId":13291,"journal":{"name":"Indian pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"577-583"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148390550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Indian pediatricsPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-03-31DOI: 10.1007/s13312-026-00319-2
Dipika Mohan Chelliah, Shuba Sankaranarayanan
{"title":"A Case Series of Acquired Methemoglobinemia in Infants.","authors":"Dipika Mohan Chelliah, Shuba Sankaranarayanan","doi":"10.1007/s13312-026-00319-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13312-026-00319-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13291,"journal":{"name":"Indian pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"597-598"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147591746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Indian pediatricsPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-07-06DOI: 10.1007/s13312-026-00388-3
Arghya Samanta
{"title":"HLA Typing in Pediatric Celiac Disease: From Genetic Association to Clinical Application.","authors":"Arghya Samanta","doi":"10.1007/s13312-026-00388-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13312-026-00388-3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13291,"journal":{"name":"Indian pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"537-538"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148390571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}