Knowledge about the contents of mother and child protection card among pregnant women and lactating women of a rural field practice area

Introduction: MCH services are not utilized due to unawareness, poverty and lack of scientific knowledge regarding care during the issue. Though all the details are given in the MCPC to follow positive practices, utilization of the card is being done only for recording of the information. Objective: To assess the knowledge about the contents of mother and child protection card (MCPC) among the pregnant and lactating women of a rural area Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted on pregnant women and lactating mothers with child less than a year. Knowledge about the contents of MCPC was collected by interview method. Results: In our study, majority of the mothers had good knowledge about tetanus injection (92.5%), consumption of IFA tablets (72.6%), breastfeeding within an hour (92.5%), exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (95.6%), cereals to be included in the complementary food (90.6%) and good perception about complete immunization of the baby (100%). Knowledge was found to be poor with respect to ANC checkups and examination, tracking weight of the baby and growth chart; assessing danger signs in newborn and emergency preparation. Conclusion: The study showed good knowledge about TT, IFA, nutrition, danger signs and immunization. There was poor knowledge about ANC checkups, baby growth, danger sings in newborn and emergency preparation.

Early predictors of early onset neonatal hypocalcaemia in infants of diabetic mother

Background: The objective of this study was the magnitude of hypocalcemia and to assess the predictors for early onset neonatal hypocalcemia in infants of diabetic mother.Methods: Total 100 infants of diabetic mother were followed for development of hypocalcaemia. weight length, gestational age, Apgar score, cord calcium was correlated for serum calcium at 48 hours of life.Results: In present study 91% babies were term and 9% babies were preterm, the incidence of hypocalcemia was high in preterm babies i.e.22% when compared to term babies i.e. 4.3% was not significant and incidence of hypocalcemia was high in babies with Apgar <7 at 1 min (27.27%) was significant statistically. The association of hypocalcemia with cord calcium is not significant statistically.Conclusions: The incidence of hypocalcaemia is more among preterm babies and babies with risk factors, so these babies need close monitoring for hypocalcaemia. No need of regular monitoring of calcium for healthy term babies unless they are symptomatic.