International Journal of Neonatal Care and Pediatric Nursing

Mothers’ Knowledge, Attitudinal Perspectives, and Emergency First-Aid Practices for Childhood Febrile Seizures: A Pilot Study at Tabarak Pediatric Hospital, 2026

Amira Bakhit Elbalal Ataelkarim — 2026-10-27

Background: Febrile convulsions are a common cause of seizures in young children and can cause considerable anxiety for caregivers. Mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices may influence how they respond during and after a seizure.

Objective: To assess mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding febrile convulsions among children in the pediatric ward at Tabarak Pediatric Hospital.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among 30 mothers. Data were collected using a questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics and mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to febrile convulsions. Results were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Associations between sociodemographic characteristics and KAP scores were also reported.

Results: Most mothers were older than 35 years (56.6%), had a diploma (80%), and had more than three children (80%). Overall, 90% were classified as having good knowledge, 96.7% as having a good attitude, and 90% as having good practice. However, item-level responses showed important misconceptions. Most mothers believed that febrile convulsions are usually life-threatening (90%) and that every child with a convulsion requires hospitalization (76.6%). All mothers believed early fever management could prevent convulsions. Although most reported appropriate actions such as not restraining the child (100%) and placing the child on their side (90%), 80% reported always putting something in the child’s mouth during a convulsion. Nearly all mothers expressed a need for more information (96.7%). The table reported significant associations between age and knowledge, attitude, and practice; however, the available results do not provide sufficient detail to interpret these associations.

Conclusion: Although overall KAP classifications appeared favorable, responses revealed critical misconceptions and potentially unsafe practices, particularly regarding seizure prevention and placing objects in the child’s mouth. Immediate, structured bedside education and practical first-aid discharge guidance for mothers are strongly recommended.

Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea among School Students in Selected Schools, Palakkad, Kerala

Lavanya — 2026-09-30

Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common menstrual problems among adolescent girls and significantly affects their daily activities and academic performance. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among school students and to determine its association with selected socio-demographic variables in a selected school in Palakkad district, Kerala. A quantitative research approach with a non-experimental descriptive design was adopted. The study was conducted among 100 adolescent girls studying in classes 7, 8, and 9 who had attained menarche. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of demographic variables and questions related to dysmenorrhea and associated symptoms. The findings revealed that 80% of the participants experienced dysmenorrhea, indicating a high prevalence among school-going adolescent girls. Among the 80 participants who experienced dysmenorrhea, 47 (58.75%) reported moderate-intensity pain, which was commonly experienced during the first 1–2 days of menstruation. Common associated symptoms included fatigue, irritability, mood swings, lack of concentration, and difficulty in academic activities. The Chi-square test showed no statistically significant association between the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and selected socio-demographic variables such as age, dietary pattern, and sleeping pattern (p > 0.05). The study concludes that dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among adolescent girls and has a considerable impact on their physical comfort and academic performance. The findings highlight the need for school-based health education, early identification, and appropriate management strategies to improve menstrual health and overall well-being among adolescent girls.

Child Mental Health Nursing Case Report on Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Clinical Assessment and Nursing Management Plan

Manisha Sehgal — 2026-10-13

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent differences in social communication and interaction and by restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.

Design and Setting: This is a single-patient case report prepared according to the CARE reporting guideline, describing a child evaluated at the Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), Ranchi, a tertiary psychiatric institute.

Case Presentation: A 7-year-old boy presented with delayed developmental milestones, limited eye contact, marked difficulty with verbal communication, high activity levels, aggression toward peers and their mother, and self-injurious behavior (head banging, self-biting).

Assessment: The Developmental Screening Test (DST) gave a Developmental Age (DA) of 46 months (Developmental Quotient [DQ] 55) and the Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS) gave a Social Age (SA) of 48 months (Social Quotient [SQ] 57), at a chronological age of about 84 months. The Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) total score was 112, within the range classified as moderate autism; the corresponding disability percentage is an indicative estimate, not a certified rating.

Intervention and Outcome: The child received speech and occupational therapy for about one year (2022–2023). Clinicians and parents reported gains in 2–3-word phrases, motor coordination and comfortable engagement, while social, sensory and behavioral difficulties persisted. Standardized assessments were not repeated, so change could not be quantified. A nine-problem, priority-based nursing care plan was formulated, addressing safety, behavioral support, sensory regulation, communication, and parental psychoeducation.

Limitation: As a single case without post-intervention standardized scores, the findings cannot be generalized and do not establish treatment effectiveness.

Conclusion: This case illustrates how standardized assessment can inform a structured, family-centred nursing care plan for a child with ASD. The implementation and effect of the plan were not evaluated, so no conclusion about effectiveness can be drawn; the report underlines the value of follow-up with repeated measurement.