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The importance of onsite generation to supplement liquid oxygen as a norm for hospitals

  The demand for medical oxygen has shot up by as much as seven times since pre-Covid days. Last month, the country had witnessed a peak demand of nearly 9,000 tonnes of medical oxygen in a day. Among existing technology options PSA technology emerges as the most practicable and indeed a front-ranking option for hospitals and healthcare facilities. This oxygen can be easily piped within the hospital premises or nearby facilities and can even be transported in cylinders supplying to smaller hospitals in the area. Although the ravaging  second wave  seems to be ebbing now and the need for medical oxygen, something which was reckoned a desperately lifesaving resource just weeks back, has receded, it is time to consider long-term measures. The tragic sight of  hospitals  across the country abruptly running out of oxygen and  patients  losing their precious lives – all of which was avoidable – is still fresh in our memories. As such, one of those measures in the long run which could to a gr

AAP urges post-COVID-19 follow-up to monitor for residual symptoms

  New AAP interim guidance on post-COVID-19   conditions   in children and adolescents recommends all patients who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection have at least one follow-up conversation or visit with their pediatrician to discuss residual symptoms, explore new symptoms and guide their return to activities. More than 4 million U.S. children have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Although acute illness may be less severe in children and adolescents than adults, severity does not predict subsequent or ongoing symptoms. According to the guidance, “COVID-19 can lead to many secondary conditions, which can range from subacute to severe. Long-term effects from SARS-CoV-2 infection may be significant, regardless of the initial disease severity.” Post-COVID-19 check During the visit, pediatricians should work with families to identify any continuing symptoms of COVID19, which may include respiratory symptoms, cardiac symptoms, fatigue or cognitive fogginess. Pediatricians and families al

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children and adolescents with GATA2-related myelodysplastic syndrome

  GATA2 deficiency is a heterogeneous multi-system disorder characterized by a high risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myeloid leukemia. We analyzed the outcome of 65 patients reported to the registry of the European Working Group (EWOG) of MDS in childhood carrying a germline  GATA2  mutation ( GATA2 mut ) who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). At 5 years the probability of overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) was 75% and 70%, respectively. Non-relapse mortality and relapse equally contributed to treatment failure. There was no evidence of increased incidence of graft-versus-host-disease or excessive rates of infections or organ toxicities. Advanced disease and monosomy 7 (−7) were associated with worse outcome. Patients with refractory cytopenia of childhood (RCC) and normal karyotype showed an excellent outcome (DFS 90%) compared to RCC and −7 (DFS 67%). Comparing outcome of  GATA2 mut  with  GATA2 wt  patients, there was no

Paediatrics

 Paediatrics is a medical discipline focused on individuals from birth to the end of adolescence. The care of paediatric patients is different to that of adults, as many drugs are processed differently in these two groups. Growth and development are also more important in paediatric patients than in adults.