INTRODUCTIONBirth weight is single most important criterion for determining neonatal and infant survival. LBW is a sensitive indicator of socio-economic conditions and indirectly measures the health of the mother and child. Babies with a birth weight of less than 2500 g irrespective of period of their gestation are termed as LBW babies.1 In India 30-35 % babies are LBW and more than half of these LBW newborns are full term babies.2 LBW includes preterm babies born before 37 weeks of gestation as well as infants of any gestation who are small for dates due to intrauterine growth retardation It will be worthwhile to determine if foot length correlate with gestational age assessment by New Ballard scoring. METHODSSubject selection-In our study we enrolled 254 newborns delivered at MYH hospital and admitted in MYH and CNBC nursery over a period of two years. Their gestational age ranged from 27 to 42 weeks. Gestational age of babies was determined by NEW BALLARD SCORE taken from Ballard JL et al: New Ballard score ABSTRACT Background: It is important to know an infant's gestational age because its behaviour and anticipated problems can be predicted on this basis. It is also important for prediction of morbidity, mortality and further management. Methods: Study was done for two years.254 newborns delivered at MYH hospital and admitted in MYH and CNBC nursery were studied. Their gestational age ranged from 27 to 42 weeks. Results: Gestational age and foot length also showed a positive correlation with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. Both AGA and SGA babies showed positive correlation of gestational age with foot length with correlation coefficient of 0.99 and 0.99 respectively. Conclusions: Foot length of 73.7 mm can be used as a cut-off point for differentiating between term and preterm babies. Foot length measurements can be easily used by peripheral health workers to differentiate between term and preterm babies. They can be used at remote places by peripheral health workers.

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A novel polysulfone–cerium oxide (Psf–ceria) mixed-matrix membrane (MMM) with enhanced γ radiation resistant property was developed. Ceria nanoparticles were synthesized by gel-combustion route and then various concentrations of ceria (0.1–2% of Psf) were incorporated in the polysulfone matrix to synthesize Psf–ceria MMMs. Radiation stability of the synthesized membranes was checked with γ radiation doses of 100, 500, and 1000 kGy. Ceria nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques. These characterizations confirmed the successful synthesis of pure, crystalline, and 12 nm average size ceria nanoparticles. Psf–ceria MMMs were synthesized by non-solvent-induced phase inversion technique. The effect of radiation on the morphology and topography of membranes was analyzed using scanning electron and atomic force microscopy studies. The physicochemical properties were examined by drop shape analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and XRD studies. These analyses confirmed that ceria nanoparticles were uniformly distributed throughout the Psf membrane matrix without any chemical interaction between the ceria and Psf. The internal structure was evaluated by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and SAXS techniques. The mechanical properties were assessed by universal testing machine. The performance of the membranes was analyzed through pure water permeability and solute (poly­(ethylene oxide), 100 kDa) rejection studies. Psf–ceria MMMs showed enhanced stability in the performance compared to that of control Psf membrane. The stability of ceria is due to its two oxidation states and its ability to scavenge free radicals by swiping between those two states (Ce4+ ↔ Ce3+). This makes the MMMs radiation resistant, with 0.5–1% loaded Psf–ceria membrane five times enhanced life span in intermediate liquid radioactive effluent environment, compared to control Psf membrane.

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