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ABSTRACT:Retinopathy of prematurity is a disease of the eye that generally affects premature babies receiving intensive neonatal care. Development of ROP is contributed by both oxygen toxicity and relative hypoxia. The primary Aim of the study to find out the incidence of ROP among preterm infants admitted in MGM Govt. Hospital, Trichy from August 2014 to December 2014. The study also evaluates the various risk factors for development of ROP and the association between the two. All preterm babies less than 36 weeks are included in the study. Totally 150 preterm babies where studied. Of this 150 babies 48 babies where diagnose with the ROP, incidence was 32%. Among the fetal risk factors RDS in 113 babies (75.33%), phototherapy in 86 babies (57.3%), Oxygen administration in 66 babies (44%), Sepsis in 49 babies (32.6%), blood transfusion in 22 babies (14.6%) screened for ROP. Among maternal risk factors, pregnancy induced hypertension in 32 (21.3%), Gestational diabetic in 14(9.3%) mothers of screened babies. In conclusion, timely screening and early management is a key to the management of ROP. KEYWORDS: A Study of Incidence and risk factors of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Preterm infants.

Background: This study is conducted at Mahatma Gandhi memorial hospital, Trichy gains significance as there hasn‘t been any of its kind prior to this among children and in this geographical area. Aim and objectives of the study were to study the clinical profile of children presenting with febrile thrombocytopenia and possible etiology. The study correlates clinical features with the laboratory parameters and assessing the complications associated with fever and thrombocytopenia.Methods: Prospective, descriptive study consist of 200 children aged 1 months to 12 years admitted with fever and thrombocytopenia as inpatients in the paediatric wards at Mahatma Gandhi memorial government hospital, Trichy during July 2017 to June 2018. Inclusion criteria included children aged 1 month to 12 years admitted in paediatric wards of MGM GH, Trichy, exclusion criteria excluded neonates <1 month and children >12 years, patients presenting with thrombocytopenia without fever, ITP, platelet dysfunction disorders, malignancy, patients on chemotherapy and immunosuppressive agents and on drugs causing thrombocytopenia. Results: Dengue was the most common cause of febrile thrombocytopenia in our region accounting for 56% of cases, this is followed by enteric fever in 17%, undifferentiated fever in 16.5%, sepsis in 6.5%, scrub typhus in 3.5% and malaria in 0.5%. 5% of children with febrile thrombocytopenia were given platelet transfusion. 95% (n=190) of the children with febrile thrombocytopenia improved and were discharged. 1% (n=2) left against medical advice. The mortality rate in the study is 4% (n=8).Conclusions: The risk of bleeding increases as the platelet count decreases. The mortality is not related to the severity of thrombocytopenia.

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Background: Gestational age of the newborn can be assessed by various methods. Aim of this study was to estimate the gestational age using foot length of the neonate and to find the correlation between foot length and gestational age assessed by last menstrual period and first trimester ultrasound.Methods: It was a hospital based prospective cross-sectional study done at Newborn ward, Department of Pediatrics, MGM Govt. hospital attached to KAP Viswanatham Govt. Medical College, Tiruchirappalli, involving 170 newborns with 10 babies in each gestational age ranging from 26 weeks to 42 weeks. Gestational age of all babies were assessed using last menstrual period, first trimester ultrasound and New Ballard Score soon after birth. Right foot length of each baby was measured from heel to tip of great toe or second toe whichever was longer, within 12-24 hours of life. Measurements were taken using a plastic ruler, measuring tape and by measuring the length of foot print ink impression.  Gestational age obtained by various methods were assessed for their correlation with foot length.Results: Positive correlation was obtained between foot length and gestational age determined by LMP (r= 0.965) and ultrasound (r= 0.964). Hence foot length could be reliably used to predict gestational age of newborn.Conclusions: Foot length measurements can be used as a non-invasive alternative method to assess gestational age of newborn, especially by community health workers and thus can facilitate the early identification of preterm babies.