Reference gender-specific neonatal size at birth growth curves for singleton and twin neonates from North India.

Objectives: To construct reference growth curves for the preterm population from North India and compare it with global charts.

Methods: This prospective study enrolled preterm neonates (23 to 36 weeks) from July 2018 to August 2019 after excluding stillbirths and those with congenital malformations. Anthropometry was performed within 18 hours of birth.

Comparison of efficacy of a 7-day versus a 14-day course of intravenous antibiotics in the treatment of uncomplicated neonatal bacterial sepsis: study protocol of a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a global public health problem. There is no consensus regarding the optimum duration of antibiotics for culture-proven neonatal sepsis. Published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing shorter versus longer courses of antibiotics provide low-quality evidence with serious risk of bias.

Evaluating the efficacy of a multistrain probiotic supplementation for prevention of neonatal sepsis in 0-2-month-old low birth weight infants in India-the "ProSPoNS" Study protocol for a phase III, multicentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Progress has been made in the reduction of under-five mortality in India; however, neonatal mortality is reducing at a slower rate. Efforts are required to bring down neonatal mortality in order to attain the Sustainable Development Goal-3. Prevention of sepsis among the high-risk, vulnerable low birth weight neonates by a newer intervention with probiotic supplementation is promising.

Short Term Neurobehavioral Outcomes in Late Preterm Neonates Born to Pre-Eclamptic Mothers.

Objective: To study the effect of maternal pre-eclampsia on the short-term neurobehavioral outcomes in late preterm neonates using Neurobehavioral Assessment of Preterm Infants (NAPI) score.

Methods: 30 late preterm neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia, and thirty controls born to mothers without pre-eclampsia were enrolled, and followed up to 40 weeks of post-menstrual age. They were evaluated by NAPI score of MDV (Motor development-vigor) and AO (Alertness orientation) at 40 wk.

Early Total Enteral Feeding versus Conventional Enteral Feeding in Stable Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of early total enteral feeding (ETEF) when compared with conventional enteral feeding (CEF) in stable very-low-birth-weight (VLBW; 1,000-1,499 g) infants on the postnatal age (in days) at attaining full enteral feeds.

Methods: In this unblinded randomised controlled trial, 180 infants were allocated to an ETEF (n = 91) or a CEF group (n = 89). Feeds were initiated as total enteral feeds in the ETEF group and as minimal enteral nutrition (20 mL/kg) in the CEF group.

Yield of meconium in non-vigorous neonates undergoing endotracheal suctioning and profile of all neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid: a prospective observational study.

Background: Delivery room management of infants born via meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is quite controversial. No study has tried to quantify the amount of meconium that can be aspirated from the trachea of a non-vigorous neonate born through MSAF.

Aims: To study the yield of meconium in non-vigorous neonates born through MSAF undergoing endotracheal (ET) suctioning.

Prenatal Yoga: Effects on Alleviation of Labor Pain and Birth Outcomes.

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that prenatal yogic exercises are effective in alleviating labor pain and improving birth outcomes, by comparing pregnant women undertaking yoga with a control group. Single blinded, parallel randomized control trial. Two hundred primigravid women of 30 weeks of gestation onward who met the inclusion criteria (primigravida, 20-35 years of age, gestational age of 30 weeks, no prior experience of yoga) were randomly assigned to study ( = 100) and control groups ( = 100) by using the minimized randomization program version 2.

Surfactant Lung Lavage vs. Standard Care in the Treatment of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome-A Randomized Trial.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of surfactant lung lavage (SLL) on duration of respiratory support in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS).

Patients And Methods: Sixty term infants with MAS who had moderate to severe respiratory distress (Downes score >4) were randomized toSLL (n = 31) or no lung lavage-NLL (n = 29). Neonates in intervention group underwent lung lavage with dilute surfactant and those in control group were managed as per unit protocol.

Reducing hypothermia in newborns admitted to a neonatal care unit in a large academic hospital in New Delhi, India.

Neonatal hypothermia is a common and dangerous condition around the world. 70% of neonates born in Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital in New Delhi, India, and subsequently admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) had a temperature below 36.5°C on admission.

Chronic Auditory Toxicity in Late Preterm and Term Infants With Significant Hyperbilirubinemia.

Background And Objectives: Significant hyperbilirubinemia (SHB) may cause chronic auditory toxicity (auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder and/or sensorineural hearing loss); however, total serum bilirubin (TSB) does not discriminate neonates at risk for auditory toxicity. Our objective was to compare TSB, bilirubin albumin molar ratio (BAMR), and unbound bilirubin (UB) for their association with chronic auditory toxicity in neonates with SHB (TSB ≥20 mg/dL or TSB that met criteria for exchange transfusion).

Methods: Infants ≥34 weeks' gestational age (GA) with SHB during the first 2 postnatal weeks were eligible for a prospective longitudinal study in India.

Early Total Enteral Feeding in Stable Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Before and After Study.

Background: Fear of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has perpetuated delayed initiation and slow advancement of enteral feeding in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with inherent risks of parenteral alimentation. The objective of this study was to assess effect of early total enteral feeding (ETEF) on day of achievement of full enteral feeds, feed intolerance, NEC and sepsis.

Methods: In total, 208 stable VLBW neonates (28-34 weeks) admitted during 6 month periods of three consecutive years were enrolled.

Auditory toxicity in late preterm and term neonates with severe jaundice.

Aim: Jaundice may cause auditory toxicity (auditory neuropathy and hearing loss). However, total serum bilirubin (TSB) does not discriminate neonates at risk for auditory toxicity. We compared TSB, bilirubin:albumin molar ratio (BAMR), and unbound bilirubin for their association with auditory toxicity in neonates with severe jaundice (TSB ≥342μmol/L, or that met exchange transfusion).

Endotracheal suction in term non vigorous meconium stained neonates-A pilot study.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of 'No endotracheal suction' on occurrence of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) and/or all-cause mortality in non-vigorous neonates born through meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF).

Methods: This pilot randomized controlled trial enrolled term non-vigorous neonates (≥37 weeks) born through MSAF. Neonates randomized to 'No Endotracheal suction group' ('No ET' Group; n=88) did not undergo endotracheal suction before the definitive steps of resuscitation.

Effect of intrapartum oropharyngeal (IP-OP) suction on meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) in developing country: A RCT.

Objective: Evidence about IP-OP suction and selective tracheal intubation in meconium stained neonates is from developed countries. Little information is available about their role in developing countries with high incidence of meconium staining and MAS. This randomized trial was planned to evaluate the effectiveness of IP-OP suction in meconium stained term neonates on prevention of MAS and reduction of its severity.

Incidence, Etiology and Risk Factors Associated with Neonatal Healthcare-Associated Conjunctivitis: A Prospective Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in India.

Introduction: Healthcare-associated conjunctivitis (HAC) can lead to serious sequelae including blindness. We conducted a one-year prospective study to determine the epidemiology of neonatal HAC at a tertiary-care hospital in India.

Methods: From the neonates fulfilling a set of predefined inclusion criteria, cases of HAC were diagnosed based on CDC guidelines.

Role of Serum Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Receptor in Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disorder of developing retina of low birth weight preterm infants which can lead to blindness. One theory attributes the fibrosis seen in ROP to deregulation of vascularization in the retina. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the important mediators involved in vascularization.

Risk factors for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii blood stream infections in a neonatal intensive care unit, Delhi, India.

Introduction: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infection is being increasingly observed and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in newborns. In this study, we determined the epidemiology, risk factors, and outcomes of blood stream infection (BSI) caused by CRAB in neonates.

Methodology: The clinical charts of neonates who developed Acinetobacter baumannii BSI in the period between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2012 were reviewed.

Role of prophylactic antibiotics in neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF)--a randomized controlled trial.

Unlabelled: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of administering prophylactic antibiotics on the development of neonatal sepsis in term neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). Two hundred and fifty eligible neonates were randomized to study group (Antibiotic group-receiving first-line antibiotics for 3 days) and control group (No Antibiotic group). Both groups were evaluated clinically and by laboratory parameters (sepsis screen and blood cultures) for development of sepsis.

Skin dimples.

Skin dimples are a common occurrence in children. Besides being of cosmetic significance, they may give an important clue to an underlying genetic or metabolic problem. A simplified location-based algorithmic approach to diagnose the underlying cause of skin dimples is presented.

Ventricular tachycardia due to perinatal asphyxia.

Background: Perinatal asphyxia is known to precipitate myocardial dysfunction, rhythm abnormalities and congestive cardiac failure.

Case Characteristics: A 2-day old neonate with perinatal asphyxia.

Observation: He developed shock secondary to ventricular tachycardia, and required synchronized cardioversion for reversion of abnormal rhythm.

Gastric lavage for prevention of feeding problems in neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: The role of gastric lavage in preventing retching, vomiting and secondary meconium aspiration syndrome in neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid is uncertain, and no there are no definitive guidelines.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of gastric lavage in preventing retching, vomiting and secondary meconium aspiration syndrome in neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

Methods: This was an open-label, parallel, randomized controlled trial conducted in the labour room, postnatal and neonatal wards of a tertiary-care teaching hospital.

Neonaticide in India and the stigma of female gender: report of two cases.

Neonaticide is known to occur across the globe in both developed and developing countries, but has rarely been reported from India. Two similar cases of female neonaticide are presented which were committed by their mothers while in the maternity ward. The social issues and maternal provocation highlighted in this report are different from those reported in world reviews of neonaticide.

An unusual case of hyperlactataemia in a neonate.

We report a HIV uninfected neonate born to HIV positive mother, who had tachypnoea at birth. On investigations, he was found to have hyperlactataemia. All the secondary causes for elevated lactate were ruled out.