Introduction: The incidence, morbidity, mortality of low birth weight babies can be reduced if the maternal risk factors are detected early and managed by simple techniques. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of term babies with low birth weight were studied over a period of 1 year using hospital records with emphasis on age, parity, height, BMI and maternal diseases. Results: A total of 121 babies were included. The average birth weight in women aged 15-20 years was 1.89 kg, 21-30 years it was 2.2 kg, more than 30 years, it was 2.12 kg, and difference in weight of babies born to mothers aged 15-20 years was statistically lower. The average birth weight among Gravida1 (G1) mothers was 1.95 kg. Among G2 mothers, it was 2.27 kg and G3 was 2.28 kg. Difference in weights of babies of G1 mothers was significantly lower than babies born to G2 mothers (p<0.0001). The weight of babies of mothers with height <145cm was 2.04 kg, between 145-155cm was 2.12 kg, >155cm was 2.13 kg. The weight of babies of mothers with hemoglobin 7-10 gm/dl (1.88) was lower than weight of babies of mothers with hemoglobin >10 gm/dl (2.25). This was highly significant statistically (p value<0.0001). The weight of babies of mothers with BMI<25 was 2.08 kg, with BMI 20-25 was 2.12 kg, BMI>30 was 2.15 kg, this was not statistically significant. Conclusion: We hereby conclude that lesser age, primiparity and anemia are associated with low birth weight in term infants.

Introduction: Neonatal hyper bilirubinemia implies significant jaundice usually above 15mg/dl or requiring treatment. About 60-70% of all term newborns develop some degree of jaundice while in LBW babies it goes upto 80%. Jaundice is more prevalent, severe and protracted in low birth weight babies, with more chance of producing neurological injury at lower levels of bilirubin. Methodology: This study is an attempt to compare the etiology and response to treatment modalities of hyperbilirubinemia in low birth weight and normal birth weight babies. About 150 babies including 50 low birth weight and 100 normal birth weight babies, who were admitted in NICU for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were selected by purposive sampling and were further analyzed. The variables used for data analysis include number of children requiring phototherapy and exchange transfusion, age at initiation of phototherapy and exchange transfusion, pre phototherapy and pre exchange serum bilirubin, duration of phototherapy and rebound hyperbilirubinemia after phototherapy and exchange transfusion. Results: The most common etiological factors among low birth weight babies were prematurity, sepsis and ABO incompatibility, among normal birth weight babies were ABO incompatibility, sepsis, Rhincompatibility. In a large proportion of cases, etiology remained idiopathic. Among low birth weight babies Phototherapy was initiated early and at a lower bilirubin level. Duration of phototherapy was more, Rebound hyperbilirubinemia was higher and requirement of exchange transfusion was more. Conclusion: Hyperbilirubinemia due to incompatibilities prevailed though sepsis contributed a significant fraction among low birth weight babies. Significant hyperbilirubinemia developed earlier and persisted longer requiring prolonged phototherapy, exchange transfusion in low birth weight babies.

Background: The use of umbilical venous catheter (UVC) is an essential part of neonatal care allowing delivery of intravenous fluids, nutrition, and medication.  It is important to know the position of the UVC tip accurately at the first attempt to prevent complications and minimize handling. We aimed to determine the precision and accuracy of Shukla’s formula developed to guide UVC placement and to evaluate the probability of UVC placement at desired radiological markings using weight-based Shukla’s formula. Methods: This study was carried out at NICU in NRI medical college, a tertiary care center in Chinakakani, Andhra Pradesh, India. A prospective observational study was done from December of 2021 to September 2022. With an aim to study the accuracy of Shukla's formula in assessing the depth of insertion of UVC, depth was calculated and position of the tip of the catheter confirmed by x-ray. Results: We have taken 138 neonates in our NICU unit with mean gestational age of 33.91 wks. and with mean birth weight of 1.91 kg. Out of 138 infants 99 had a successful ideal UVC placement using Shukla's formula. In reference to gestational age out 83 newborns in gestational age between 32-36 weeks 62 had ideal placement of UVC. In reference to birth weight ideal position of the UVC was seen in 73% of newborns. Conclusions: Shukla’s formula provided a reasonably accurate probability of achieving ideal UVC position in most of our babies: accurate in 72%.

Background and Objectives: High risk infants are prone to delay in neurological development due to perinatal damage sustained by the brain and nervous tissue. Despite being on regular follow-up, delayed neurological development is often missed even by experienced examiners as most of the examination and history are subjective. We aim to validate an objective scoring system-the Hammersmith-Dubowitz neurological exam which was extensively researched and developed taking into consideration normal responses from a normal cohort. Materials and Methods: Over a period of two years, 112 infants were categorized as high-risk newborns and were followed up for a period of one year of age. The children underwent detailed milestone assessment, physical and neurological examination by two independent examiners along with objective scoring with Hammersmith infant neurological exam. Any abnormality in these tests was considered delayed development. Results: Of the 112 infants, 102 came for at least one follow up and 81 completed one year follow up with a mean follow up duration of 9.42 months. On the combined assessment scale of developmental, physical and complete neurological examination 7.84% infants were found to be abnormal. However, on objective assessment with Hammersmith neurological examination 16.67 % of the infants were found to have abnormal neurological development. Conclusion: Hammersmith neurological examination is a useful objective scoring tool to identify delayed neurological development early.

Background & Objectives: To compare serum zinc levels in children suffering from acute gastroenteritis, pneumonia (malnourished and normal) with a control group. To study the effects of zinc in reducing the frequency and duration of diarrhea and pneumonia & its impact on the further recurrence of these infections. Methods: One hundred thirty (130) children in the age group of 6 months to 5 years were included. The Blood samples were drawn for zinc assay from all children at initial presentation and supplement with adjuvant oral zinc for 14 days. The duration of hospital stay and symptom resolution and the effect of supplementation over the next six months on these children was studied. Results: The mean serum zinc levels were significantly lower in children with AGE and Pneumonia as compared to that of the children in the control group which was very highly significant (71.39, 69.45, 81.65 mcg/dl respectively). Also, the malnourished children in both the AGE & LRTI groups had a mean zinc level that was significantly lesser than the adequately nourished children (67.77:73.85 in the AGE group & 57.52: 75.62 in the LRTI group). In the follow-up period for six months, children with undernourishment and those who had low zinc levels at initial presentation had significantly more recurrences Conclusions: Children with AGE and LRTI have a reduced serum zinc level when compared to controls. Zinc supplementation reduces the duration of symptoms in both AGE and LRTI children with low zinc levels and who were undernourished had frequent recurrences.