Madhu Latha Karra

This hospital-based cross-sectional study aimed to screen newborns for sickle cell anemia immediately after birth and validate dried blood spot (DBS) samples against conventional venous blood samples (CBS) for hemoglobin variant analysis by HPLC. Among 751 newborns, 2.93% were found to have sickle cell trait. Hemoglobin variants were analyzed in both DBS and CBS samples, showing good agreement with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Passing Bablok regression indicated minimal proportional bias, while Bland-Altman analysis showed a bias of 0.67, but the line of equality within the 95% CI of the bias indicated acceptable minimal systematic bias. The concordance correlation coefficient was 0.91 (p < 0.0001), Pearson’s ρ (precision measure) was 0.967, and Cohen’s kappa statistics gave a weighted kappa of 0.93, confirming no significant differences between the two methods. This study supports DBS as a reliable method for universal neonatal screening for sickle cell disease, demonstrating its potential for widespread clinical use.

Parsonage-Turner Syndrome (PTS) is a rare neurological disorder involving brachial plexus and periscapular muscles following viral infection, surgery, and vaccination. We hereby describe the first case of PTS from India following Covishield (AstraZeneca ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) COVID-19 vaccination. A 21-year-old healthy male presented to us with complaints of pain and weakness in the right shoulder five weeks after Covishield vaccination on the contralateral deltoid. There was no history of injury or constitutional symptoms. On examination, hyperalgesia over the area innervated by the axillary nerve and wasting of the deltoid, supra, and infraspinatus muscles were noted. An MRI scan of the shoulder, cervical spine, and brachial plexus neurogram were normal. Decreased motor amplitude in right axillary and musculocutaneous nerve was recorded in the nerve conduction study (NCS). High titers of SARS-COV-2 IgG neutralizing antibodies were noted after a single dose of vaccination and SARS CoV-2 IgM antibodies were negative. Having been diagnosed with post-vaccination PTS, the right shoulder was splinted and an intravenous injection of 1g methylprednisolone was administered for three days followed by oral steroids for three weeks. NCS and electromyography at 10 weeks showed insignificant differences between the two sides suggesting early neurological recovery. Currently, the patient is being followed up regularly for complete neurological recovery. PTS is a known side effect of vaccination. We report the index case of PTS following the administration of Covishield vaccination from India to aid in early diagnosis and management, further evaluation, and public health safety.

COVID 19 is known to cause immune dysregulation and vitamin D is a known immunomodulator. This study aims to objectively investigate the impact of Pulse D therapy in reducing the inflammatory markers of COVID-19. Consented COVID-19 patients with hypovitaminosis D were evaluated for inflammatory markers (N/L ratio, CRP, LDH, IL6, Ferritin) along with vitamin D on 0th day and 9th/11th day as per their respective BMI category. Subjects were randomised into VD and NVD groups. VD group received Pulse D therapy (targeted daily supplementation of 60,000 IUs of vitamin D for 8 or 10 days depending upon their BMI) in addition to the standard treatment. NVD group received standard treatment alone. Differences in the variables between the two groups were analysed for statistical significance. Eighty seven out of one hundred and thirty subjects have completed the study (VD:44, NVD:43). Vitamin D level has increased from 16 ± 6 ng/ml to 89 ± 32 ng/ml after Pulse D therapy in VD group and highly significant (p < 0.01) reduction of all the measured inflammatory markers was noted. Reduction of markers in NVD group was insignificant (p > 0.05). The difference in the reduction of markers between the groups (NVD vs VD) was highly significant (p < 0.01). Therapeutic improvement in vitamin D to 80–100 ng/ml has significantly reduced the inflammatory markers associated with COVID-19 without any side effects. Hence, adjunctive Pulse D therapy can be added safely to the existing treatment protocols of COVID-19 for improved outcomes.

Introduction: COVID 19 is known to cause immune dysregulation and vitamin D is a known immunomodulator. This study aims to objectively investigate the impact of Pulse D therapy in reducing the inflammatory markers of COVID-19. Materials/ Methods: Consented COVID-19 patients with hypovitaminosis D were evaluated for inflammatory markers (N/L ratio, CRP, LDH, IL6, Ferritin) along with vitamin D on 0^th day and 9^th / 11^th day as per their respective BMI category. Subjects were randomised into VD and NVD groups. VD group received Pulse D therapy (targeted daily supplementation of 60,000 IUs of vitamin D for 8 or 10 days depending upon their BMI) in addition to the standard treatment. NVD group received standard treatment alone. Differences in the variables between the two groups were analysed for statistical significance. Results: Eighty seven out of one hundred and thirty subjects have completed the study (VD:44, NVD:43). Vitamin D level has increased from 15.65 ± 5.54 ng/ml to 88.96 ± 31.55 ng/ml after Pulse D therapy in VD group and highly significant (p0.05) . The difference in the reduction of markers between the groups (NVD vs VD) was highly significant (pConclusions: Therapeutic improvement in vitamin D to 80-100 ng/ml has significantly reduced the inflammatory markers associated with COVID-19 without any side effects. Hence, adjunctive Pulse D therapy can be added safely to the existing treatment protocols of COVID-19 for improved outcomes.

Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research aims to publish findings of doctors at grass root level and post graduate students, so that all unique medical experiences are recorded in literature.