Bacteriological Profile of Neonatal Sepsis: A Hospital Based Study.

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in newborn. There are many factors that contribute to neonatal sepsis. The organisms responsible for early onset and late onset sepsis are different. Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the organisms responsible for early onset and late onset neonatal sepsis. Materials and Methods: A prospective hospital based study over the period of one year was conducted at neonatal intermediate care unit of Kanti Children’s Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal. Results: Organisms were isolated in 6.1% of the collected blood samples. The male female ratio of culture proven sepsis was 1.9:1. Escherichia coli were found to be the most common organism in both early onset and late onset sepsis. Staphylococcus aureus was more common in late onset sepsis than early onset sepsis. Conclusion: Escherichia coli were the most common organism in both early onset and late onset sepsis. Staphylococcal aureus was significantly more common in late onset sepsis than early onset sepsis.

Kangaroo Mother Care for Low Birth Weight Babies: A prospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Kangaroo Mother Care is the low cost, humane technique for caring low birth weight babies by direct skin to contact with the mother. Objective: The Prospective observational study was done to see the effect of KMC especially on weight gain on low birth weight babies weighing 2000 grams or less at Special Care Baby Unit of Paropakar Maternity and Women’s hospital, Kathmandu. Method: The study was conducted in Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital over 7 months period May 2007 to Nov. 2008 (from Baishakh 2064 to Kartik 2065). The method of care consisted of skin to skin contact between the mother and the infant. Result: It was observed that babies had good weight gain of average 30gms/day and had short duration of hospital stay of average 9 days. Babies had less morbidities like hypothermia, apnea, skin infections and oral thrush.100% babies had exclusive breast feeding and KMC was acceptable to mothers. Conclusion: Kangaroo Mother Care shows early and good weight gain in low birth weight babies. It is simple, low cost technique and well acceptable by mother and family and can be continued at home.

Efficacy of Albendazole and Short-Course Prednisolone Treatment in Children with One or Two Ring-Enhancing Lesions of Neurocysticercosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Context: Neurocysticercosis is a endemic disease in Nepal causing social and financial burden on society and developmental problem in children. Aims: To determine the efficacy of albendazole plus oral prednisolone in children with 1 or 2 ring-enhancing lesions (by CT) on resolution of lesions and recurrence of seizure. Setting and Design: Randomized controlled open trial. Methods and Materials: Children with 1 or 2 ring-enhancing lesions <20 mm in diameter on computed tomography scan, likely to have Neurocysticercosis, were assigned to treatment & control groups. Children assigned to the treatment group (n = 50) were given 2.0 mg/kg per day prednisolone orally for 5 days plus 15 mg/kg per day albendazole on third day for 28 days. Anti epileptic drugs were given to both groups {including Control group (n = 51)}. Statistical Analysis: The results were analysed with the use of Epi Info version 6.04 and Stata version;7 software. Results: The lesions resolved completely or partially in more children in the treated group compared with the control group (p = .04 & p = 0.03). The proportion of children who had seizures was significantly lower in the treated group compared with the control group at 6 months (10% versus 33%; p = .006) and 12 months (14% versus 38%; p = .003). Conclusion: Albendazole plus Prednisolone increased resolution of lesions on computed tomography scan and reduced the risk of subsequent recurrence of seizures among children with Neurocysticercosis.

Doctor's role in early detection of diabetic retinopathy and prevention of blindness from its complications.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microangiopathy, which is caused by chronic hyperglycemia, affecting the retinal arterioles, capillaries and venules, complications of which lead to incurable blindness. Approximately 10% of the diabetic population has type I diabetes mellitus (DM) which is diagnosed before the age of 30 years and rest is type II which is diagnosed after the age of 30 years. In UK 2% general population is affected by DM. In developed countries, diabetic retinopathy is an important and leading cause of blindness in working age group where as in developing western countries this figure occupy 12% of the blindness. In developing countries like Nepal, cataract still remains a main cause of blindness and diabetes is not considered as a major problem. However due to a rapid urbanization and modernization of population, diabetes mellitus is becoming an endemic disease and bringing a new challenge in blindness reduction program.