Magnitude and pattern of birth defect babies at Bhopal district early intervention center under RBSK’s 4Ds approach: an observational study

Background: As per World Health Organization (WHO) congenital anomalies are also known as birth defects, congenital disorders or congenital malformations. Most common and severe congenital anomalies are congenital heart diseases, neural tube defect and Down’s syndrome. No data on the magnitude of congenital anomalies is available in India. Thus, the study aims to determine the magnitude and pattern of babies with birth defect reporting at District Early Intervention Center, Bhopal in children aged 0 to 6 years.Methods: This was an observational study conducted at DEIC, Bhopal under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram services, over a period of one year. Children between 0 to 6 years visiting the center and belonging to Bhopal district were included in the study. Data entry was by Microsoft Excel and analysis was by Epi info.Results: 2891 children were registered for the study out of affected children 18.7% of them were diagnosed with Developmental delays while birth defect was observed in 4.3% cases. Of the birth defect cases majority i.e. 37.7% had congenital heart disease and 16.7% had congenital hearing loss. No case of retinopathy of prematurity was registered.Conclusions: The study also helps to know the magnitude and pattern of congenital anomalies. Any effective health intervention will reduce both direct costs and out-of-pocket expenditure.

Morbidity profile of preschool children in rural area of central Madhya Pradesh.

Background: The children of Preschool age are a vulnerable or special risk group in any population, deserving special health care. Major causes of death in the age group 0-5 years are preventable. Objective of this study was to study the morbidity profile of preschool children (0-5 years) in the rural areas and its association with some selected variables. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among preschool children of rural areas for a period of 4 months. A sample size of total 400 children was selected and the children were examined after interviewing mother. Results: Morbidity was found in 217 out of total 400 children. The male and female ratio of morbid children was 1.47:1. The respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases together accounted for 76.5% of children at least once in three month. Conclusions: Communicable diseases were the commonest cause of morbidity in the preschool children. A total of 164 children were found having one of the episodes of illness in last three month.