cience

Dept. of Pediatrics

Head of Department: Dr. Anand Pandit

Management of ill children and babies involves both Science and Art – it is our endeavor to address both these aspects so that illness can become less painful for patients and parents. At KEM Hospital, Pune Research is also aimed at alleviating pain and illness. The Pediatric Research Unit began its work formally in 1978 with work in rural areas of regionalization of Perinatal services. The unit has to its credit many pioneering research studies acclaimed the world over. Important projects include 'Long term development in high risk neonates' and 'Early origins of Adult Disease such as Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease', 'Determinants of Low birthweight in Newborn babies, 'Pune Maternal Nutrition Studies' and many vaccine projects. Work in Indian Childhood Cirrhosis led to the eradication of a fatal liver disorder in young children. Pediatric Research Unit is well-equipped to meet the need for conduct of Global trials in all the phases.

Major Projects under Pediatrics Dept.

Strength and Capabilities:

The strength of the unit lies in accepting applied problem oriented, clinical cum laboratory research, multicentric studies, field operations research. We have prestigious collaborations with World Health Organization, UNICEF, Ford Foundation, Population Council, Medical Research Council (UK), Wellcome Trust. FUNEN – USA which helped us greatly with technical advancement.

• Research Unit has been recognized by the Dept. of Biotechnology as a Core Vaccine Research Unit (CVRU)
• Unit is recognized as centre of excellence by Clinical Development Services Agency (CDSA)

Application of Research Findings:

Results emerging out of research have already lead to action. The quest for newer drugs and newer lines of treatment has always been in the forefront of research. KEM Hospital with its long standing and reputation for catering to all classes of society, particularly the middle and lower strata of society, has been often chosen for participating in a number of drug trials and patient management.

Team

Department of Pediatrics research projects

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EPILEPSY STUDIES DR.NANDAN YARDI

1. A multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, randomized study: evaluation of the efficacy and safety of brivaracetam in subjects (>16 to 70 years old) with partial onset seizures.
2. An open label, multicentre, follow-up trial to evaluate the long term safety and efficacy of brivaracetam used as an adjunctive treatment at flexible dose up to a maximum of 150mg/day in subjects aged 16 years or older suffering from epilepsy.
3. A randomized, double-blind, parallel group multi-center comparative flexible – dose trial of pregabalin versus gabapentin as adjunctive therapy in subjects with partial seizures.
4. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, multicenter trial of pregabalin controlled release formulation as adjunctive therapy in adults with partial onset seizures.
5. Safety and effectiveness of open – label clobazam in subjects with Lennox – Gastaut Syndrome.
6. An open label extension phase of the double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation, parallel-group studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of E2007 (perampanel) given as adjunctive therapy in subjects with refractory partial seizures.
7. A double blind, placebo controlled, dose escalation, parallel-group study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of E2007 (Permpanel) given as adjunctive therapy in subjects with refractory partial seizures.
8. Double blind placebo controlled, efficacy and safety study of clobazam (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0mg/kg/day) in patients with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
9. A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multi centre study to assess the efficacy and safety of adjunctive zonisamide in pediatric partial onset seizures.
10. A randomized trial of adjunctive topiramate therapy in infants with refractory partial seizures
11. An international, randomized, double blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled, flexible dose study: evaluation of the safety and efficacy of brivaracetam in subjects (> 16 years to 70 years old) suffering from localization related or generalized epilepsy.

TDH Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped Children:-

The first one of its kind, unique centre devoted to therapy of all kinds of handicaps under one roof with interdisciplinary team approach. Various facilities at the centre include IQ and behavior testing, hearing assessment and speech therapy and occupational and physiotherapy for physical and mental handicaps. The aim of the centre is 'total rehabilitation'. A unique, inter-disciplinary approach, involving doctors, specialists, therapists was established in the year 1979. In recognition of their munificent generosity, the name "Morris Child Development Centre" has been added to the TDH Rehabilitation Centre

General Pediatrics:Our newly furbished 40 bedded General Ward is pleasantly decorated with toys, posters and is fitted with modern equipment. More so, the ward has special facilities for mothers and relatives such as changing rooms and pantries (a true mother friendly, baby friendly unit). This busy unit caters to at least 2,500 admissions per year referred from far and near.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU): A six bedded unit with 'state-of-art' technical facilities such as piped oxygen, ventilation, monitoring and parenteral nutrition. Although recently commissioned (in the year 2000) 50 to 60 patients are admitted for intensive care every month.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): A 24 bedded unit with 'Level III' facilities (certified by National Neonatology Forum) complete with many life saving equipments viz., ventilation, exchange transfusions and surfactant therapy. The NICU at KEM Hospital has set a trend and changed the outcome for small premature babies and other high risk neonates. This tertiary referral units caters to more than 1000 neonates per year and compliments the high risk perinatal services of our hospital. Approximately 200 babies are ventilated per year at affordable costs.

High Risk Follow up Clinics: Special follow up clinics for 'graduates' of NICU with emphasis on development and nutrition.

Gastroenterology and Liver Unit: This centre of wide repute has specialised diagnostic and therapeutic services for all types of liver disease in children such as Wilson's Disease and Neonatal Cholestasis Syndrome. A metabolic laboratory has been set up in collaboration with Children's Hospital, Sheffield, U.K. The unit has modern uptodate facilities for videoendoscopy (gastroscopy and colonoscopy) in children and importantly in neonates.

TDH Rehabilitation Centre: The first one of its kind established in 1978, unique centre devoted to therapy of all kinds of handicaps under one roof with interdisciplinary team approach. Various facilities at the centre include IQ and behaviour testing, hearing assessment and speech therapy and occupational and physiotherapy for physical and mental handicaps.

Pediatric Research: The unit has to its credit many pioneering research studies acclaimed the world over. Work in Indian Childhood Cirrhosis led to the eradication of the fatal liver disorder in young children. Important current projects include 'Long term development in high risk neonates' and "Early origins of Adult Disease.'

Rural and Social Pediatrics: The Department of Pediatrics is involved in the pediatric care of rural children through the Vadu Health Project by conducting regular OPDs and community visits.

Contact:

020-66037342

020-26125600 Extn:7342