Submited on: 31 Dec 2011 01:09:00 PM GMT
Published on: 01 Jan 2012 10:53:00 AM GMT
 

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Yes
3 Is this a new and original contribution? No
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? No
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? Yes
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? No
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? Yes
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    1)The topic is relevant .Skin branding of children is prevalent in many parts rural areas of India.
    The commonest objects used for branding is hot metal wire or incense sticks. The studies are lacking
    which parts of child is more commonly used for branding.

    2)Though the practice is observed in poor illiterate communities, who among the family member plays
    influential role in skin branding of the child?Lack of reporting on this issue , I feel it is the grandparents or
     elders of family .

    3)Further studies are required to know what percentage of skin branded children will have ugly keloids?

    4)Reports are lacking regarding  transmission  of HIV or Hepatitis B infection among skin branded children
     by use of unsterilized instruments?

    5)There are reports of squamous cell carcinoma developing at the sites of branding in cattle and sheep(1), and this needs to be evaluated in children too.

    6)The stress is needed  on the fact that the branding is a criminal offence under Indian Penal code -324 (2).

    7) The article by P V V , Shrikiran H , Suneel M , Karthick A  lacks preventive measures .

    8)Steps needed to reduce the incidence of skin branding in children like public health education, provision of better health services , use of social and political resources and administrative and judicial actions. (2)

    9)Most of the parents interviewed were also branded in their childhood, and there is a tendency for this practice to be followed through generations.(3)



    References:

    1Yeruham I, Perl S, Nyska A. Skin tumours in cattle and sheep after freeze- or heat-branding. J Comp Pathol. 1996; 114: 101-106.

    2
    Mehta MH, Anand JS, Mehta L, Modha HS, Patel RV. Neonatal branding—towards branding eradication. Ind Pediatr 1991;29: 788-9.

    3Adhivasam B, Gowtham R. Branding treatment of

  • Competing interests:
    None
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    In our day today practice of Genarl paediatrics, I do encounter children of rural area with skin branding for monor illness like respiratory tract infection to serious illness like convulsion, encephalitis and bleeding of any etiology.

  • How to cite:  Bagalkoti P S.Skin Branding in Indian Children: A still prevaling superstition.[Review of the article 'Skin Branding in Indian Children: A Still Prevaling Superstition in the Modern Era ' by Karthick A].WebmedCentral 2012;3(1):WMCRW001431
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1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Partly
3 Is this a new and original contribution? No
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? No
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? No
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? Yes
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? No
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? No
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    Dear Author, though the article highlights the most cruel act prevailing in the society, the incidence/ prevalence should have been mentioned. The Indian Law which prohibits such cruel act should have been mentioned so that it sends a strong signal tho the society. The incidence of fatal sepsis, disfigurement and trauma is very high.

  • Competing interests:
    none
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    none

  • How to cite:  Sinha R .skin branding in Indian children; a still prevaling in the modern era[Review of the article 'Skin Branding in Indian Children: A Still Prevaling Superstition in the Modern Era ' by Karthick A].WebmedCentral 2012;3(3):WMCRW001551
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1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? No
3 Is this a new and original contribution? No
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? No
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? No
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? Yes
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? No
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? Yes
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    The topic of the manuscript is very interesting and the subject dealt with has prime importance for general public and the professionals. 

    Abstract 

    It could have been slightly more elaborate 

    Introduction - Is very short and the authors could have structured it like history, prevalence . ( the practice is prevalent in tamilnadu and other indian states too) 

    also instead of directly going to discussion , could have elaborated about various types of skin branding and also on the various materials or other chemicals which are used for this barbaric procedure,

    Also few clinical signs and description of the appearance and the common sites of the same could have been elaborated. 

    alternatively the author could have classified the practice into traditional folkfore/tribal practice/superstition  and form of child abuse. 

     

    Also what are the methods for prevention/identification and suggest/ elaborate the steps taken by the government to curb/ prevent the act and any punishment if present in the books of law. 

     Also the psychological impact of such procedure/custom/punishment on the child could be mentioned. 

    Also it is not just prevalent in india but world wide and the author could have made a section where in the prevalence of skin branding practice in other african tribes could be mentioned and more so as form of child abuse and punishment in most of the western world. 

  • Competing interests:
    No
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I am a Pediatric dentist and also deal with the subject of child abuse and neglect 

  • How to cite:  Sharma A .skin branding in indian children ; A still prevailing superstition in the modern era. [Review of the article 'Skin Branding in Indian Children: A Still Prevaling Superstition in the Modern Era ' by Karthick A].WebmedCentral 2012;2(12):WMCRW001318
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