Background: Preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) requiring surfactant therapy have been traditionally receiving surfactant by intubation surfactant and extubation technique (InSurE), which comprises of tracheal intubation, surfactant administration, and extubation. However, more recently noninvasive methods like least invasive surfactant therapy or minimally invasive surfactant therapy have been reported to be successful. These methods, avoid intubation thus minimize airway trauma and avoid barotrauma. The primary aim of this randomized trial was to compare the need for mechanical ventilation (MV) between the administration of surfactant via a thin catheter during spontaneous breathing and the InSurE technique. Methods: Preterm infant's ≤34 weeks with RDS requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) within 6 hours of life were prospectively randomized to receive early surfactant either by SurE (surfactant without endotracheal tube intubation) or InSurE technique. The need for MV within the first 72 hours and other related outcomes were analyzed between the two groups. Results: One hundred seventy‐five infants in each group were analyzed. The need for MV in the first 72 hours of life was significantly lower in the SurE group compared to the InSurE group (19% vs 40%, P < .01). Similarly, duration of oxygen therapy and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the SurE group. Furthermore, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) rate was significantly lower among the infants administered surfactant by the SurE technique. Conclusion: In preterm neonates with RDS who are stabilized on CPAP, the SurE technique for surfactant delivery results in the reduced need for MV and also may decrease the rate of BPD in some vulnerable subpopulations.

Human milk samples were collected from 86 mothers included in the study on days 3, 7, 14 and 28 of lactation. The mothers were divided into three groups on the basis of gestation viz. group 1 : 37-41 weeks (n=41), group II : 33-36 (n=23) and group III : <33 weeks gestation (n=22). All the samples were analysed for the estimation of fat, lactose and protein. The results obtained from the investigations were statistically analysed. The analysis of the results revealed a lower amount of fat and lactose in preterm milk as compared to term milk (p < 0.01). These were found to increase in amount with increasing postnatal age (p < 0.05). The protein levels were observed to be significantly higher in preterm than term milk (p < 0.01). These were observed to decrease significantly with increase in postnatal age (p < 0.01). KEY WORDSFat, Human milk, Lactose, Protein.

It is concluded that there is significant stress among parents of children admitted to an Indian PICU, and stress factors are different from studies done in developed countries. Mothers and young parents were more stressed. Type of family, income, education, number and age of children did not affect level of stress.

Objectives:This study was done to determine the effect of malnutrition on mortality in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and on the pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) scoring.Subjects and Methods:This was a prospective study done over 1 year. There were total 400 patients (1 month 14 years), who were divided into cases with weight for age <3rd centile and controls with ≥3rd centile of WHO charts. Cases were subdivided into mild/moderate (61–80% of expected weight for age) and severe malnutrition (<60%).Results:Out of total, 38.5% patients were underweight, and malnutrition was more in infancy, 61/104, i.e. 58.5% (P - 0.003). There was no significant difference in vitals at admission. Cases needed prolonged mechanical ventilation (P - 0.0063) and hospital stay (P - 0.0332) compared to controls. Mean and median PRISM scores were comparable in both the groups, but mortality was significantly higher in severely malnourished (P value 0.027).Conclusion:Severe malnutrition is independently associated with higher mortality even with similar PRISM score. There is need to give an additional score to children with weight for age <60% of expected.

FI score should be evaluated in all cases of NS as parenting such children may significantly affect all domains of family functioning.