A new look on neonatal jaundice

Out of 6586 live born babies, 736 babies with jaundice were studied from 1st July 1996 to 30th June, 1997, in a city based medical college nursery. Physiological jaundice was present in 8.92% of all live born babies and accounted for 79.89% of babies with jaundice. Breast milk jaundice and prematurity were next common causes responsible for 5.29% each of all cases with neonatal jaundice. Septicaemia caused jaundice in 4.75% cases. Among the babies with jaundice appearing between day 4 and day 7 of life, breast milk jaundice was the commonest cause occurring in 49.25% cases. The last entity surfaced probably due to exclusive breastfeeding recently initiated in the baby friendly hospital nursery.

Clinical and bacteriological profile of neonatal infections in metropolitan city based medical college nursery

Out of 6319 live born babies, 310 (4.9%) with high risk factors and with clinical suspicion of sepsis were studied for incidence pattern of neonatal infections. Incidence of neonatal infection was 2.56% in normal weight babies and 8.42% in low birth weight babies. Total culture positivity was 48.38%. Klebsiella was the most frequent offender, followed by Staph aureus and Staph epidermidis. Majority of klebsiella species were sensitive to ceftriaxone (86%), amikacin (84%) and ceftazidime (80%). Ceftriaxone was effective against Staph aureus (95%) and Staph epidermidis (95%). Overall fatality was 17.1%, distinctly higher in low birth weight group (22.06%) than normal weight group (6.18%).

Early neonatal morbidity and mortality in a city based medical college nursery

Early neonatal morbidity & mortality were studied in 7972 viable live born babies over one year period in Medical College, Calcutta. Early neonatal morbidity and mortality rate were 66.85 & 32.86 respectively. About 48% of Early neonatal deaths occurred in 1st 48 hours & 80% within first 72 hours of life. Early neonatal mortality rate per 1000 was maximum in babies born of a primi (43.03) and grand multiparous mother (103.89); maternal age less than 20 yrs. (44.15), and more than 30 yrs. (46.04) & in multiple pregnancy (142.85). It was highest in breech delivery (114.28) & with maternal disease like dribling (179), hypertension (146) & APH (116). Birth asphyxia contributed 65.26% of early neonatal deaths, followed by septicaemia (10.3%). Klebsiella was the most common (55%) organism.