Dr RN Srivastava was the editor of the journal for 2 terms from 1985-
February 1990; during this period nearly 1300 articles were published in
the journal. In his first editorial titled ‘Literature Pollution’, he
dwelled upon the various reasons for the phenomenal increase in the
medical publications [1]. He reiterated that the aim of Indian
Pediatrics was to publish the best of the investigative work in the
various fields of pediatrics being done in the country. To improve the
quality of the journal, he suggested that the members of the IAP submit
at least some of their better articles to their own journal. He
concluded "The Journal has clear objectives. It is primarily responsible
to the members of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, but it must also
project a good image of this country. If we do not succeed in our goals,
we will be merely adding to the literature pollution."
The presidential address at the XXII National
conference of the IAP by Dr SK Bhargava highlighted the need for review
and a major revamp of the MCH programs to achieve a more rapid
improvement in child health [2]. The major areas that needed improvement
were identified as antenatal and neonatal care, immunization,
nutritional services, and care of the girl child. He also highlighted
the role of the government in promoting rational drug therapy. The need
for focussing on the community in addition to the hospitals was
highlighted.
The important articles in 1985 focussed on
immunization, nutrition and infectious diseases. The editorial by Dr T
Jacob John defined the role of the IAP in the Expanded Program of
Immunization [3]. Meningococcal disease was reviewed comprehensively
[4]. In an interesting letter, Dr KN Agarwal built a strong case for
inclusion of the medical subjects in the civil services examination so
as to give a chance to medical professionals to take up civil services
as a career [5].
An excellent editorial on ‘The Girl Child’ and a
comprehensive review ‘Discrimination begins at birth’, both by Dr Shanti
Ghosh, marked the first issue in 1986 [6, 7]. The subject of immune
system in malnutrition was comprehensively reviewed [8]. The importance
of iodine deficiency disorders, their impact on human development and
the preventive strategies were discussed by the pioneers in the field
[9, 10]. An editorial by Dr SK Mittal highlighted the need for oral
rehydration salt solution that could be used in all aspects of managing
childhood diarrhea [11]. He highlighted the need for a lower osmolarity
ORS with a lower sodium content.
In the editorial in October 1986, Dr Srivastava
discussed the pediatric care and critically analysed the role of the
Academy in promoting the welfare of children [12]. He expressed distress
at the failure of the Academy to make a significant impact on advancing
the discipline of Pediatrics. He suggested that "The IAP and its members
should spearhead a movement for the care and welfare of children." He
appealed for the advancements in all aspects of pediatrics including
education and research. The need for the pediatricians to be the
spokespersons for the children was highlighted.
Another highlight of the journal was to publish the
abstracts of the papers accepted for National conference in the regular
issues. This practice has now been given up due to much larger numbers
of submissions now. The year also carried one of the 2 parts of special
issues on Neonatology edited by Dr Bhakoo; this included comprehensive
reviews on neonatal fluid therapy, neonatal infection and mother’s role
[13]. A supplement containing review articles on various emergencies and
poisonings was published in October 1986.
In the presidential address, Dr Sundaravalli
highlighted the necessity for changing the medical curriculum as had
been done by many countries [14]. The questions raised are pertinent
even today as no major changes in curriculum have been implemented in
the country except that Pediatrics is a separate subject now.
In 1987, the Academy issued the instructions and
guidelines for the formation of subspecialty chapters. Dr Srivastava
discussed the need for the development of these subspecialties in the
country and the need for balance between social, preventive, and
community pediatrics and advancement of care of a sick child [15]. He
expressed his concern regarding the harm to the image of pediatricians
caused by the lack of subspecialties. The way forward was also
suggested. Unfortunately, nearly three decades later there are only a
few institutions with well-developed pediatric subspecialties.
The presidential address at the XXIV National
conference by Dr AB Desai ‘diverted from the usual pattern of making a
statement of activities, policies, and perspectives related to
Pediatrics, undertaken at national and international level by
governmental and various bodies.’ He stressed upon what the Academy had
done and had scope to do [16].
The Journal entered its 25
1. Srivastava RN. Literature pollution. Indian
Pediatr. 1985;22:331-2.
2. Bhargava SK. Presidential Address, XXII National
Conference of Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Indian Pediatr.
1985;22:865-72.
3. John TJ. The role of Indian Academy of Pediatrics
in the expanded programme of immunization. Indian Pediatr. 1985;22:91-5.
4. Taneja A. Meningococcal disease in Delhi. Indian
Pediatr. 1985;22:181-4.
5. Agarwal KN. Inclusion of subjects related to
medical disciple in civil service examinations. Indian Pediatr.
1985;22:714-5.
6. Ghosh S. The girl child. Indian Pediatr.
1986;23:5-7.
7. Ghosh S. Discrimination begins at birth. Indian
Pediatr. 1986;23:9-15.
8. Beotra A, Seth V. Malnutrition and immune system.
Indian Pediatr. 1986;23:277- 302.
9. Pandav CS, Nath LM, Karmakar MG, Kochupillai N.
Iodine deficiency disorders and human resource development. Indian
Pediatr. 1986;23:321-4.
10. Pandav CS, Kochupillai N, Karmakar MG, Nath LM.
Iodine deficiency disorders in India: Review of control measures. Indian
Pediatr. 1986;23:325-9.
11. Mittal SK. Oral rehydration: universal solution.
Indian Pediatr. 1986;23:895-7.
12. Srivastava RN. Pediatriccare and the Indian
Academy of Pediatrics. Indian Pediatr. 1986;23:755-8.
13. Bhakoo ON. Neonatology. Indian Pediatr.
1986;23:967-8.
14. Sundaravalli N. Presidential address. XXIII
National Conference of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Indian Pediatr.
1987;24:5-8.
15. Srivastava RN. Pediatric Subspecialities. Indian
Pediatr. 1987; 24: 699-701.
16. Desai AB. Presidential address. XXIV National
Conference, Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Indian Pediatr.
1987;24:1063-7.
17. Srivastava RN. 25th year of Indian Pediatrics.
Indian Pediatr. 1988;25:3-4.
18. Udani PM. History of Indian Academy of
Pediatrics. Indian Pediatr. 1988;25:5-10.
19. Santhanakrishnan BR. Development of Pediatrics in
Tamil Nadu. Indian Pediatr. 1988;25:15-20.
20. Taneja PN. Pediatrics in Delhi. Indian Pediatr.
1988;25: 21-4.
21. Bhandari B. Development of pediatric speciality
in Rajasthan. Indian Pediatr. 1988; 25:33-5.
22. Kaul KK. Development of Pediatrics in Madhya
Pradesh. Indian Pediatr. 1988;25:37- 40.
23. Mehrotra GK. Institute of Child Health, Calcutta
and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Indian Pediatr. 1988;25:721-5.
24. Rohde J, Northrup RS. Diarrhea is a nutritional
disease. Indian Pediatr. 1988;25:914- 29.
25. Briend A. Using anthropometry to identify
children with a high risk of dying. Indian Pediatr. 1988;25:930-8.
26. Ghai OP, Paul VK. Rational drug therapy in
pediatric practice. Indian Pediatr. 1988;25:1095-1109.
27. Bhakoo ON. Emergency neonatal care. Indian
Pediatr. 1988;25 Suppl:1.
28. Benakappa DG. Presidential address. XXV National
Conference, Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Indian Pediatr.
1988;25:1143-8.
29. Jeyaseelan L, Rao PSS. Methods of determining
sample sizes in clinical trials. Indian Pediatr. 1989;26:115-21.
30. Sureka UP, Sureka PR, Anand RK. Breast feeding
and drugs in human milk. Indian Pediatr. 1989;26:373-8.
31. Moudgil A, Srivastava RN. Drug prescribing in
children with renal failure. Indian Pediatr. 1989;26:693-705.
32. Singh M, Paul VK. Standard nomenclature and
definitions for expressing neonatal morbidity: A plea for uniformity.
Indian Pediatr. 1989;26:1189-95.
33. Narayanan I, Saili A, Khandara AL. Vitamin K for
the newborn – old avenues revisited. Indian Pediatr. 1989;26:1129-34.