Conductive thermal mattress versus routine care to reduce neonatal hypothermia during transport among low-birthweight neonates: An experimental study with historical controls.

Background: Neonatal hypothermia at delivery, during transport and in the postnatal wards is common, under-recognized and infrequently monitored with prevalence ranging from 32% to 85%. This study compared conductive thermal mattress to routine care for prevention of hypothermia among low-birthweight (LBW) neonates during transport.

Methods: From July 2015 to November 2016 (historical controls), all eligible LBW neonates (1500-2499 g) were transported from the labour room/operation theatre to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)/postnatal wards using routine care (towels, blankets, cap, mittens and socks) and from December 2016 to December 2018 using conductive thermal mattress (EMBRACE) Axillary temperature was measured before transport and at arrival in the NICU/postnatal wards using a digital thermometer.

Pulse oximetry screening to detect critical congenital heart diseases in asymptomatic neonates.

Background: Critical congenital heart diseases (CCHDs), 10% to 25% of all CHD, are duct-dependent defects that are life threatening without intervention in the neonatal period or infancy. One third of neonates with CCHDs are discharged home undetected and have a poorer outcome. Pulse oximetry screening before discharge is increasingly being used to diagnose CCHDs in developed countries.

Splenic abscess in a tertiary care centre in India: clinical characteristics and prognostic factors.

Background: Splenic abscess has been an uncommon entity which is now being encountered more frequently due to increased prevalence of immunodeficiency disorders and chronic illnesses. This study was aimed to audit our experience with splenic abscesses at a tertiary care centre in India highlighting usefulness of an algorithmic approach.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of data of patients (January 2014 to December 2019) with splenic abscess was done.

Evaluation of a multimodal teaching method on essential newborn care among health providers at a tertiary care hospital.

Background: There is an unmet need for in-service training of health providers for essential new-born care. This study evaluated the ability of a multi-modal training workshop on new-born care to improve the knowledge and skills of health providers.

Methods: This was an intervention based pre-and post-study on 54 students who attended a two-day workshop on essential new-born care.