BACKGROUND Potential conditions that predispose babies to being small at birth are quite common in tropical practice. Several factors may predispose to SGA delivery. 1 Maternal factors known to contribute to foetal malnutrition (FM) include biological factors, nutritional factors, brief interpregnancy intervals, low socioeconomic class, poor education, medical and obstetric problems. The main aim of the study was to assess whether maternal factors are influencing the nutritional status of foetus. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study is undertaken at Niloufer Hospital for Children, Osmania Medical College, a tertiary paediatric care centre to assess the nutritional status of new born at birth. The study included a total of 125 neonates born to mothers who have completed 38 weeks of gestational age. Neonates with major congenital malformations were excluded from the study. CAN Score was calculated for all the babies. Maternal data of the mothers of these babies is recorded in detail. RESULTS The association between the nutritional status and each factor of maternal data is checked with both CAN Score cutoff points at <24 and < 21. 63.34% of the babies born to primi para mothers had foetal malnutrition and 73.33% of the babies born to mothers with low haemoglobin levels had FM with CAN Score cutoff of ≤ 24. CONCLUSION Maternal factors and her nutritional status play a major role in the birth size of a baby. Maternal biological factors which may influence FM include parity, maternal haemoglobin and mode of delivery.

Human brucellosis is a zoonotic infection, mostly caused by B. melitensis and usually presents as an acute febrile illness. Once considered rare in children, it is now recognized that brucellosis can affect persons of all ages, especially in areas where B. melitensis is the predominant species. Complications may affect any organ system. On the other hand Secondary Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (SHLH) can occur due to systemic infections, immunodeficiency, and underlying malignancies. (SHLH) is histologically characterized by excessive proliferation and activation of histiocytes or macrophages. Brucellosis associated with SHLH should be suspected whenever there is a prolonged fever along with hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia.

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Background: Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) is a common chronic disorder, characterized by alterations of selective permeability at the glomerular capillary wall, resulting in its inability to restrict the urinary loss of protein. Urinary nitrite excretion serves as a useful investigation in differentiating between steroid responsive and steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome. The aim of the study was to assess the relation between urinary nitrite levels and steroid responsiveness in nephrotic syndrome in children.Methods: 76 children were enrolled in the study suffering with nephrotic syndrome of which 58 children were Steroid Sensitive (SSNS) and 18 were Steroid Resistant (SRNS). 25 children were enrolled as controls. The urinary nitrites were estimated in these subjects and the results were analyzed.Results: All the control subjects were tested negative for urinary nitrites. After achieving remission with steroids, out of 58 SSNS subjects’ 27 subjects tested positive for urinary nitrites, remaining 31 tested negatives for the same. Of the 18 SRNS subjects 1 subject tested positive for urinary nitrites remaining 17 subjects were tested negative for the same.Conclusions: The findings of present study suggest that urinary nitrite excretion is increased in patients with steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome. The urinary nitrite estimation has low NPV and high PPV in predicting steroid responsiveness.