Balint syndrome

We report a patient who presented with complaints of blindness following stroke and was subsequently diagnosed to have Balint syndrome     

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.     

Piezoelectric Electrocardiographic Artifact in a Patient after Surgery with Bradycardia and Hypotension

A 64‐year‐old man was evaluated by a rapid response team for altered mental status shortly after an uncomplicated surgery. He was found to be hypotensive and bradycardic, and an emergent electrocardiogram showed extra “P” wave complexes, ultimately found to be piezoelectric artifacts from a fluid infusion pump. Equipment‐related artifacts have been known to mimic arrhythmias prompting unnecessary therapeutic interventions including antiarrhythmics and direct current shocks. Timely recognition of the unusual properties of the complexes resulted in the avoidance of atropine, epinephrine, or transcutaneous pacing in a rapid response team scenario.