Background/Aims: Acute exacerbations of chronic hepatitis B (CHB-AEs) are common in endemic areas and are often presumed to be acute hepatitis B (AHB) due to their similarities in clinical and serological pictures, presenting a major diagnostic dilemma. This study aimed to identify laboratory markers for differentiating between the two groups, and to establish the cut-off value for significant markers. Methods: A retrospective analysis of records was conducted for patients who presented with clinical features of acute hepatitis along with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc) positivity from May 2015 to May 2017. A total of 172 patients were enrolled and grouped as AHB (n=89) and CHB-AE (n=83) based on their history of hepatitis B virus infection and duration of HBsAg persistence. Virological and biochemical parameters were analyzed and compared. Cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity of the variables were calculated. Results: The median value of signal by cut-off (S/Co) ratio for IgM anti-HBc was significantly higher in AHB group (30.44) compared to CHB-AE group (8.63) with a sensitivity and specificity of 97% and 84%, respectively, at a cut-off of 20.5 (P<0.01). The mean international normalized ratio (INR) was significantly greater in CHB-AE (1.88±1.24) group compared to AHB group (1.62±0.17) with a sensitivity and specificity of 57.9% and 45.1%, respectively, at a cut-off value of 1.27. Conclusions A value of 20.5 S/Co of IgM anti-HBc and 1.27 INR could be helpful in differentiating between AHB and CHB-AE.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess changes in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroprevalence among children and adolescents in Delhi, India from January 2021 to October 2021 Methods: This was a repeated cross-sectional analysis of participants aged 5 to 17 years from 2 SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveys conducted in Delhi, India during January 2021 and September to October 2021. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were detected by using the VITROS assay (90% sensitivity, 100% specificity). Results: The seroprevalence among 5- to 17-year-old school-age children and adolescents increased from 52.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51.3%−54.3%) in January 2021 to 81.8% (95% CI, 80.9%−82.6%) in September to October 2021. The assay-adjusted seroprevalence was 90.8% (95% CI, 89.8%−91.7%). Seropositivity positively correlated with participants’ age (p<0.001), but not sex (p=0.388). A signal to cut-off ratio ≥4.00, correlating with the presence of neutralization antibodies, was observed in 4,814 (57.9%) participants. Conclusion The high percentage of seroconversion among children and adolescents indicates the presence of natural infection-induced immunity from past exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the lack of hybrid immunity and the concomitant likelihood of lower levels of neutralization antibodies than in adults due to the absence of vaccination warrants careful monitoring and surveillance of infection risk and disease severity from newer and emergent variants.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) among caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and those caring for typically developing children. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted using convenience sampling to recruit 60 subjects. Anxiety, depression, and QOL were assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale, respectively. Results: The mean age of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy was 33.63±6.94 years, compared to 32±5.003 years for caregivers of typically developing children. Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy exhibited significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as poorer QOL, than those caring for typically developing children (P<0.05). Conclusion Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy experience higher levels of anxiety and depression and a poorer QOL compared to caregivers of typically developing children.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) among caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and those caring for typically developing children. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted using convenience sampling to recruit 60 subjects. Anxiety, depression, and QOL were assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale, respectively. Results: The mean age of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy was 33.63±6.94 years, compared to 32±5.003 years for caregivers of typically developing children. Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy exhibited significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as poorer QOL, than those caring for typically developing children (P<0.05). Conclusion Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy experience higher levels of anxiety and depression and a poorer QOL compared to caregivers of typically developing children.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) among caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and those caring for typically developing children. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted using convenience sampling to recruit 60 subjects. Anxiety, depression, and QOL were assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale, respectively. Results: The mean age of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy was 33.63±6.94 years, compared to 32±5.003 years for caregivers of typically developing children. Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy exhibited significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as poorer QOL, than those caring for typically developing children (P<0.05). Conclusion Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy experience higher levels of anxiety and depression and a poorer QOL compared to caregivers of typically developing children.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) among caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and those caring for typically developing children. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted using convenience sampling to recruit 60 subjects. Anxiety, depression, and QOL were assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale, respectively. Results: The mean age of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy was 33.63±6.94 years, compared to 32±5.003 years for caregivers of typically developing children. Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy exhibited significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as poorer QOL, than those caring for typically developing children (P<0.05). Conclusion Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy experience higher levels of anxiety and depression and a poorer QOL compared to caregivers of typically developing children.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) among caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and those caring for typically developing children. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted using convenience sampling to recruit 60 subjects. Anxiety, depression, and QOL were assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale, respectively. Results: The mean age of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy was 33.63±6.94 years, compared to 32±5.003 years for caregivers of typically developing children. Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy exhibited significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as poorer QOL, than those caring for typically developing children (P<0.05). Conclusion Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy experience higher levels of anxiety and depression and a poorer QOL compared to caregivers of typically developing children.

Background and Objectives: Cochlear implantation in late implanted prelinguals necessitates a complex decision-making process for clinicians and patients due to the uncertainty of achieving adequate benefit in auditory and speech perception. This study longitudinally evaluated clinical and social outcomes of prelingually deaf children with implantation in their late childhood. Subjects and Methods: A total of 113 (49 females and 64 males) participants, with an age range of 5-15 years, were assessed for the pre-implant parameters such as hearing loss etiology, aided responses, anatomical aspects, and psychological evaluation. The Category of Auditory Performance, Speech Awareness Threshold, Speech Reception Threshold, and Speech Discrimination Score were administered to assess the patient’s auditory skills. Further, the Speech Intelligibility Rating scale was administered to evaluate the patient’s speech intelligibility at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months post-surgery. Subjectively perceived benefits were evaluated using the satisfaction rating scale and a questionnaire. Results: The statistical results showed a significant impact of cochlear implantation in all domains. Positive impact and improvement post-implantation were noted in all the spheres, including auditory, linguistic, social, and educational. Conclusions The study highlighted that the outcomes of a cochlear implant at a later age might not parallel with the implantation at a younger age. However, this still provides measurable benefits even after a longer period of auditory deprivation.

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to the increased likelihood of clinical exposure during patient management. The study objective was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and its predictors among hospital employees. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at a teaching hospital from August 2020 to September 2020 among 1,401 employees, including 1,217 HCWs, in New Delhi, India. The serum samples were examined for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using the COVID Kavach-Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were collected electronically using the EpiCollect mobile platform. A p<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: A total of 169 participants (12.1%) had detectable IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The highest seropositivity rate was observed in the administrative staff (20.1%), while it was lowest among medical doctors (5.5%, p<0.001). Male sex and ever having lived in a containment zone were independently associated with past infection with SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health workers may be lower than in the general population in New Delhi. However, nonpharmaceutical interventions were not associated with a reduction in the risk of acquisition of SARS-CoV-2.

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to the increased likelihood of clinical exposure during patient management. The study objective was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and its predictors among hospital employees. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at a teaching hospital from August 2020 to September 2020 among 1,401 employees, including 1,217 HCWs, in New Delhi, India. The serum samples were examined for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using the COVID Kavach-Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were collected electronically using the EpiCollect mobile platform. A p<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: A total of 169 participants (12.1%) had detectable IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The highest seropositivity rate was observed in the administrative staff (20.1%), while it was lowest among medical doctors (5.5%, p<0.001). Male sex and ever having lived in a containment zone were independently associated with past infection with SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health workers may be lower than in the general population in New Delhi. However, nonpharmaceutical interventions were not associated with a reduction in the risk of acquisition of SARS-CoV-2.