Conventional fluoroscopy is an accurate, safe, and low-dose alternative modality to CT to obtain an image-guided histological diagnosis of pulmonary lesions.

Lay summary The current pandemic of COVID-19 has affected all the countries globally. However, the adverse impact of the pandemic is more seen in the low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although there is evidence on the adverse impact of the SARS-CoV-2 on the health of mothers and neonates, the evidence is mainly from high-income countries. For reducing the mortality and morbidity due to COVID-19 in LMICs, there is a need to generate evidence from the LMICs. The present study is a part of the National Registry of pregnant women with COVID-19 in India (PregCovid registry). Our study demonstrates a higher risk of adverse outcomes such as neonatal sepsis and death in the SARS-CoV-2 infected as compared to the non-infected neonates. The study also showed the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in 6.3% of neonates born to mothers with COVID-19. Introduction We describe the clinical characteristics, management, and short-term outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India. Methods The study is a retrospective analysis of 524 neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 admitted from 14th April 2020 to 31st July 2020. Results SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected in 6.3% of the newborns of the mothers with COVID-19. No significant differences were observed between maturity at gestation, birth weight and sex of SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected newborns. The risk of sepsis was 4.09 (95% CI,1.28-13.00) fold higher in the neonates with SARS-CoV-2 as compared to the non-infected group (p = 0.031). Poor feeding was significantly more common among SARS-CoV-2 infected neonates (12.1%) as compared to the non-infected neonates (2.7%) (p = 0.017). There was a total of 13 neonatal deaths, of which 3 deaths occurred in SARS-CoV-2 infected neonates (9%) while 10 (3%) in the SAR-CoV-2 negative group. The risk of neonatal death was higher in SARS-CoV-2 infected newborns (OR 4.8; 95% CI 1.25-18.36). Conclusion Neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection is observed in almost 6% of neonates born to mothers with perinatal COVID-19. There is a higher risk of adverse outcomes such as neonatal sepsis and death in the SARS-CoV-2 infected as compared to the non-infected neonates.

COVID-19 pandemic has affected all age groups globally including pregnant women and their neonates. The aim of the study was to understand outcomes in neonates of mothers with COVID-19 during the first and second waves of COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective analysis of 2524 neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-infected mothers was conducted during the first wave (n = 1782) and second wave (n = 742) of the COVID-19 pandemic at five study sites of the PregCovid registry in Maharashtra, India. A significant difference was noted in preterm birth, which was higher in the second wave (15.0%, 111/742) compared to the first wave (7.8%, 139/1782) (P < 0.001). The proportion of neonates requiring NICU admission was significantly higher in the second wave (19.0%, 141/742) as compared to that in the first wave (14.8%, 264/1782) (P < 0.05). On comparing regional differences, significantly higher neonatal complications were reported from Mumbai metropolitan region (P < 0.05). During the second wave of COVID-19, birth asphyxia and prematurity were 3.8-and 2.1fold higher respectively (P < 0.001). Neonatal resuscitation at birth was significantly higher in second wave (3.4%, 25/742 vs 1.8%, 32/1782) (P < 0.05). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates was comparable (4.2% vs 4.6%) with no significant difference between the two waves.Conclusion: Higher incidence of adverse outcomes in neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-infected mothers in the second wave of COVID-19 as compared to the first wave. Trial registration: PregCovid study is registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2020/05/025423, Registered on 28/05/2020). What is Known:• The second wave of COVID-19 was more lethal to pregnant women than the first wave. Newborns are at risk of developing complications. What is New:• Birth asphyxia, prematurity, and neonatal resuscitation at birth were significantly higher in the second wave as compared to those in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Keywords Neonatal complications • NICU • SARS-CoV-2 • Second wave Abbreviations COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 NICU Neonatal intensive care unit SARS-CoV-2 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 * Rakesh Waghmare

Background: Glucocorticoids, the recommended first line treatment of steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS), are notorious for causing osteoporosis. There are very few studies from tropical countries looking at the lasting effects of a short course of glucocorticoids in SSNS. The objective is to study the effect of glucocorticoids and its dose on Vitamin D levels and biochemical markers of calcium metabolism in children with SSNS and to formulate a criterion to administer prophylactic calcium and vitamin D supplementation to such patients.Methods: A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted on 30 children with SSNS in remission and 30 healthy controls. Serum levels of 25 hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D], calcium, phosphorous, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and intact parathyroid (PTH) were measured. Total glucocorticoid exposure during the illness was summarized.Results: Children with SSNS had significantly lower height [median-100.00 (interquartile range {IQR}- 14.5) vs. controls [115.50 (17.5)] cm; P= 0.0003. Serum ALP levels was significantly higher in the cases [median 264 (IQR-80.7)] IU/L vs. controls [median 234 (IQR- 132)] IU/L; P= 0.028.  Though hypovitaminosis D was universal in the study cohort; children with SSNS had worse Vitamin D status (76.7%) than healthy controls (50%). Levels of serum calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D and PTH were not significantly different between the two groups, nor were they related to total cumulative dose of steroid. Vitamin D levels showed no significant co-relation with number of relapses, age, calcium, phosphate, ALP, or PTH levels.Conclusions: Children with SSNS may benefit from routine measurement of 25 (OH) D and prophylactic supplementation with calcium and Vitamin D.

Background Mother experiences variety of stressors related to premature birth, baby’s medical condition, unpleasant neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) environment and intuit liability of the infant. Identifying factors that causes stress may be useful in assisting health personnel in understanding their importance and in improving the quality of care. Objective of the study is to assess the stress levels of mothers whose neonate is admitted to the NICU as measured by Parental Stress Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU). Methods This prospective analytical study was conducted in NICU of a tertiary care hospital over a period of 12 months after obtaining permission from the institutional ethics committee. The self-administered questionnaire comprising questions on: sights and sounds experienced in NICU, baby’s looks and behaviour, parental role and relationship with her baby were collected. The mean score and standard deviation were calculated for each component of PSS: NICU Scale and mean scores are compared. Results Mothers having full term babies have experienced more stress than those having pre-term babies. As measured by PSS-NICU scale the highest mean scores of 2.3 ± 0.57, 4.36 ± 0.53, 4.43 ± 0.58 were obtained for questions “The other sick babies in the room” component of Sight and Sound, “Seeing my baby looking sick” Component of Looks and Behaviour, “Being separated from my baby” Component of Parental Role and Relationship respectively. Conclusion Present study summarises the overall impact of NICU environmental stressors affecting mothers in a developing country and also emphasises the need for further studies in this area for identification of factors that contribute to maternal stress. It may enable health professionals to facilitate mothers’ adaptation, thereby promoting optimal mother–infant relationships and subsequent infant development.