Background: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ), a preventable cause of brain damage, is the most common cause of admission in the 1st week of life in neonatal intensive care unit. Objective: To determine the knowledge attitude and practices of postnatal mothers toward NNJ in tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, 350 mothers who underwent delivery in our institute were interviewed within first 72 h of delivery using a structured questionnaire. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 13 and analyzed with SPSS 23. Results: Mean knowledge score was 6.48±3.93 (0-21). 73% of the mothers knew the site of recognition in NNJ. However, inadequate knowledge regarding causes, danger signs of severity, complications and treatment were seen among respondents. At least one correct answer for cause, danger sign and complication of NNJ was reported by 28%, 54%, and 33% mothers, respectively. Only 8% mothers attributed it as a risk factor for death in the baby. Phototherapy and exchange transfusion as treatment modality was answered by 15% mothers only. Their knowledge score was significantly associated with parity, education level, residence, religion and previously affected babies but not with age. Regarding attitude, 20% mothers were willing to take the baby to the hospital within 24 h on recognition of jaundice, and almost 91% of those seeking medical advice were ready to follow it. Conclusion: Although awareness of NNJ was seen in the majority of mothers, there was a paucity of knowledge regarding causes, danger signs, and effective treatment available. Cultural beliefs and traditional infant care practices do have a significant impact on mothers. Special educational programs and involvement of electronic media are needed to increase the awareness of mothers regarding NNJ.

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Background: Neonatal care practices are different in different communities. Before any intervention planned to reduce mortality and mortality in community, understanding of local belief and practices is necessary. Some of the harmful practices need to be abandoned and good or harmless practices need to be appreciated. This study was conducted to understand the cultural beliefs and practices in newborn care among residents of Uttarakhand.Methods: This was descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out among 300 postnatal mothers admitted to the hospital. The data was collected using self-administered questionnaires. Statistical analyses of the data was done using SSPS version 22.0.Results: 4% of the mothers believed colostrum to be unsuitable for the newborn. 71% mothers were practicing daily baby massage. 71.3% believed that hot and cold foods can harm their baby’s health. 57.3% practiced application of Kajal on baby’s face. 74.7% of mothers would keep Knife under pillow and 16.7% match box under baby’s cloth. 5.3% mother believed in practice of branding. 81% of mothers accept to practice of pouring oil in baby’s ear. 22.3% mothers believed in isolating mother baby together for 30-40 days.Conclusions: Certain practices are still prevalent like Branding, discarding colostrum, Kajal application, pouring oil in baby’s ear and very restricted dietary regime of mothers. These practices need to be stopped by educating mothers and relatives in postnatal wards.

Background: Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by rickettsia Orientia tsutsugamushi. Rickettsial infections are grossly underdiagnosed in India because of their non-specific clinical presentation, low index of suspicion among clinicians, and lack of diagnostic facilities. Objective: Objective of the study is to study the clinical profile, complications, and outcome of pediatric scrub typhus. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, SGRR Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India, over a period of 2 years from November 2013 to October 2015. Children up to 18 years of age with signs and symptoms compatible with scrub typhus along with serological confirmation were included in the study. Serological study was conducted using rapid immunochromatographic assay and/or immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Clinical presentation, laboratory findings, complications, and outcome of these children were recorded on a performa. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 for windows. Results: About 115 children were diagnosed as scrub typhus during the study period. All children presented with fever. Other common symptoms were myalgia (56%), vomiting (50.5%), abdominal pain (26%), headache (28%), facial puffiness (15%), and seizures (8.7%). Pallor was present in 48% of children. Other common signs were hepatomegaly (29%), splenomegaly (28%), hypotension (24%), edema (21%), oliguria (17%), maculopapular rash (10%), meningeal signs (10.4%), and conjunctivitis (3%). Thrombocytopenia (67%), anemia (51%), pleural effusion (23%), shock (16%), hepatitis (23%), acute kidney injury (17%), meningoencephalitis (10%), myocarditis (7%), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (7%) were the complications observed. Azithromycin, doxycycline or chloramphenicol were used for the treatment. Overall mortality rate was 12.2%. Conclusion: A high degree of suspicion and knowledge of geographicaldistribution of rickettsial diseases is crucial for its early diagnosis and favorable outcome. The presence of an eschar is a valuable clinical clue in the diagnosis of scrub typhus; however, its absence does not rule out the disease.

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