Risk Factors and Clinical Profile of Preterm Deliveries at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital.

Background Preterm delivery is one of the major determinants of neonatal morbidity and mortality and has long term adverse health outcomes. Objective To study the risk factors of preterm deliveries and the clinical profile of preterm births presenting to a tertiary center in Kavre district. Method A hospital based prospective study was carried out in the Department of Pediatrics and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kavre from 1st April 2016 to 31st October 2017. Result Study included 152 babies born premature and attending Dhulikhel Hospital. There were 5.26% babies less than 1000 grams and the least weight being 700 grams. Majority of the premature babies were male (57.24%). Most of the babies were in the gestational age of 28 to 32 weeks (60%). Steroids were given to 42.10% of the cases. Mode of delivery was vaginal route (60.53%) followed by cesearean section in 37.50%. Hyperbilirubinemia (53.29%), neonatal sepsis (46.05%) and respiratory distress syndrome (43.42%) were the commonest morbid conditions. Among the 152 cases, mortality was seen in 13.82%. The minimum weight to have survived was 900 grams. The most common modifiable risk factors responsible for preterm birth in mother were inadequate antenatal visits (29.60%), history of premature rupture of membranes (28.29%), history of urinary tract infection (21.05%) and weight less than 45 kg (14.47%). The non modifiable risk factors were mothers with blood group A (33.55%) and height of less than 145 cm (20.40%). Conclusion The modifiable risk factors such as inadequate antenatal visits, history of premature rupture of the membranes and urinary tract infection and under weighing mothers can be corrected by early interventions and preventive measures which will help in reducing perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Placebo Controlled Introduction of Prophylactic Supplementation of Probiotics to Decrease the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis at Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal.

Background Although recent reports suggest that the use of probiotics may enhance intestinal functions in premature infants, the mechanisms are unclear, and open questions remain regarding the safety and its efficacy. Objective The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics on prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants in Nepal. Method We conducted a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study of 72 hospitalized preterm infants. They were randomly allocated to receive probiotics (lactobacillus rhamnosus 35) at a dose of 0.8 mg in infants >1500 gms and 0.4 mg in infants <1500 gms in 2 ml of expressed breast milk two times daily or the same amount of expressed breast milk as placebo (without probiotics). Result Seventy-two patients were studied. The probiotics group (n=37) and placebo group (n=35) showed similar clinical characteristics. The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis was found less frequently in the probiotic group (6/37, 16.2%) compared to the control group (10/35, 28.6%), this difference was not significant (p=0.16). This is 12.35% reduction in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis. Among the risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis, pregnancy risk factors and perinatal risk factors were not significant. However neonatal risk factors were more frequent in the probiotic group (59.3%, n=32) than in the placebo group (40.7%, n=22), the difference was significant (p=0.02). Conclusion In the western world probiotics have been shown to be preventive in regard to necrotizing enterocolitis incidence. The present randomized trial showed a trend towards necrotizing enterocolitis minimal reduction in Nepal too. Further studies in a larger cohort are warranted to prove this effect for preterm infants.

Clinical Profile and Electroencephalogram Findings in Children with Seizure Presenting to Dhulikhel Hospital.

Background Seizure disorder is the most common childhood neurologic condition and a major public health concern. Identification of the underlying seizure etiology helps to identify appropriate treatment options and the prognosis for the child. Objective This study was conducted to investigate the clinical profile, causes and electroencephalogram findings in children with seizure presenting to a tertiary center in Kavre district. Method This was a hospital based prospective study carried out in the Department of Pediatrics, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kavre from 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2016. Variables collected were demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory tests, brain imaging studies, electroencephalography, diagnosis and outcome. Result Study included 120 (age 1 month to 16 years) children attending Dhulikhel Hospital. Majority of the patients were male (60.84%). Age at first seizure was less than 5 years in 75.83% of children. Seizure was generalized in 62.50%, focal in 31.67% and unclassified in 5.83%. Common causes of seizure were - Primary generalized epilepsy (26.66%), neurocysticercosis (10%) and hypoxic injury (6.6%) which was diagnosed in the perinatal period. Febrile seizure (26.66%) was the most common cause of seizure in children between 6 months to 5 years of age. Neurological examination, electroencephalography and Computed Tomography were abnormal in 71.66%, 68.92% and 58.14% cases respectively. Seizure was controlled by monotherapy in 69.16% cases and was resistant in 7.50% of the cases. Conclusion Primary generalized epilepsy and febrile seizure were the most common causes of seizures in children attending Dhulikhel Hospital. Electroencephalogram findings help to know the pattern of neuronal activity. Response to monotherapy was good and valproic acid was the most commonly used drug.

Pattern of Cardiac Diseases in Children Attended at Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal.

Background Congenital Heart Disease and Rheumatic Heart Disease are the most common childhood cardiac disease encountered in developing countries. Objective To study the pattern and the prevalence of cardiac diseases, its age wise distribution and to determine their risk factors for mortality in children presented to Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital. Method A study of cardiac diseases in children, since birth to 16 years of age attending the department of pediatrics in Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital was done over a period of 30 months (Jan 2014 to June 2016). The pattern of disease was studied. Detailed clinical examination of all cases was done followed by the necessary relevant investigations including electrocardiography, chest x-ray, echocardiography and supportive laboratory investigations. Result In this study period, 218 pediatric cardiac cases were encountered, among which 144 cases (66.05%) were Congenital Heart Disease, 57 cases (26.14%) were Rheumatic Heart Disease, 14 cases (6.42%) were Pericardial Disease and 3 cases (1.37%) were classified as Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Majority of Congenital Heart Disease were of isolated Ventricular Septal Defect (25%) and isolated Atrial Septal Defect (20.13%) followed by Patent Ductus Arteriosus (9.02%), Tetralogy of Fallot (6.94%) and Complex Congenital Heart Disease (6.25%). All of the Rheumatic Heart Disease primarily involved the Mitral Valve; however combined Aortic Valve involvement was seen in 26.31% of cases. All the 14 cases of pericardial disease presented with pericardial effusion and two cases presented with constrictive pericarditis. All the cases of pericardial disease were investigated to be of tubercular in origin. Conclusion Septal defects are the most common Congenital Heart Disease encountered in children. Although the prevalence of Rheumatic Heart Disease is decreasing worldwide, it is still a big burden in our community. Tubercular pericardial effusion is still not uncommon and should be suspected with a child presenting with pericardial effusion. Increased level of cardiac care and corrective surgeries are needed for children with cardiac disease in Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital.