A Study Comparing the Efficacy of Different Non-pharmacological Methods to Reduce Pain in Neonates Admitted in A Tertiary Care Hospital

Aim : To compare the efficacy of different non-pharmacological methods for reducing pain in Neonates. Methodology : During the study period of one year from July, 2019 to July, 2020, a total of 70 infants were consecutively recruited and divided into two groups. One group received 2ml of EBM and other group 2ml of 25% D is administered which was given 1 minute before Venepuncture. The outcome variables are the duration of cry after Venepuncture & NIPS score for both group. Result : The duration of cry was found to be higher in the group receiving EBM. The neonates in 25%D groups had lower Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) score than EBM group (chi-sqr-10.34 & p-0.0057). Conclusion : In our study we found 25% Dextrose to be a better non-pharmacological Analgesic as compared to EBM during painful procedure in newborn.

Red cell distribution width as a diagnostic marker in neonatal sepsis

Background: The early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis, a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality still remains a challenge. Red-cell Distribution Width (RDW) vary significantly in conditions associated with inflammation and infection like sepsis. The study aims to find the normal range of RDW in healthy newborns and investigate the role of RDW in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.Methods: This is a prospective observational study, 50 normal and 50 sepsis neonates were considered for the study. The neonatal sepsis group consisted of neonates with (i) Positive sepsis screen with/without clinical features of neonatal sepsis and/or (ii) Blood, urine or CSF culture positive or signs of pneumonia on chest x-ray. The mean RDW and the relationship between RDW and neonatal sepsis were analysed using appropriate statistical methods in SPSS-25 software.Results: Mean RDW (%) was significantly higher in sepsis neonates (18.59'1.28) than in normal newborns (16.21'1.35). RDW had statistical significance with CRP (C-Reactive Protein) in the sepsis group. RDW had significant relationship with the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis with a p value of 0.000. An RDW cut-off level of 17.25% had 86% sensitivity, 87% specificity, and 93.5% accuracy in diagnosing neonatal sepsis.Conclusions: RDW helps as a diagnostic test in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.