Objective: Childhood malignancy being a significant cause of mortality among children. The aim of the study is to find out the epidemiology of tumours in children in our region below <14 years age who presented to tertiary care Cancer hospital, Bhopal, M.P. for period of four years (2015)(2016)(2017)(2018). Methodology: All children with cancer, aged 1-14 years diagnosed by mean of histological and cytological examination during a period of 4 years were reviewed. Results: During the period of four years 275 patients were diagnosed as having paediatric malignancies. According to year wise distribution highest incidence of cases were found in 2016 (32.72%). The highest number of cases, 96(35%) were in 10-14 years of age group and mean age was 7.43 with SD 4.0. Male were affected more than females with ratio of 2.66:1. It was observed that haematological malignancies were more common 172(62.54%) than the non haematological malignancies 103(37.45%). Leukemia 150 (54.54%) is most common pediatric cancer amongst which Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is most common haematological malignancy. Overall, it was found that most common cancer group in the present study were leukemia (54%) followed by lymphoma (8.36%), Brain tumours (7.27%) and Sarcoma (7.27%). Conclusion: Although the exact incidence rate cannot be provided by this hospital-based study, the information is useful in showing distribution patterns of childhood malignancy in this region.

Introduction: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) consist of prolonged skin to skin contact between mother and infant and exclusive breastfeeding. It was originally developed to prevent hypothermia and to enhance bonding between mother and Infant. Methods: It was a questionnaire based cross sectional observational study. Questionnaire was prepared by authors in local native language and was validated by experts; mothers with babies fit for KMC were enrolled and interviewed with a predefined proforma having both open and close ended questions with their demographic details. Results: More than half (54%) of the mothers had no knowledge about KMC during their pregnancy. About 46% of them were made aware by their doctors (82.6%) or their relatives (mother/elder sisters). Most mothers get help from nursing staff (98%) and they felt that environment was conducive for the practice of KMC (70%) and they got help from other mothers (74%) and family members (84%). Barriers were pain due to stitches (44%), unfavorable condition to perform KMC (29.4%), fatigue/fear while performing KMC (16.3%), difficulty due to twins (9.8%). Pain/fatigue (53.75%) is the barrier to KMC according to the mothers; about 30% mothers felt temperature as a barrier while practicing KMC. Conclusion: They believed that their babies will become healthier and can feed easier after initiation of KMC. Inspiration from family members or other mothers are also an enabler of KMC. Lack of support from family members, other mothers as well as from nursing staff in some cases, this barrier can be improved by training of their family members.

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Background: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is skin-to-skin contact between mother and low birth weight (LBW) baby. It keeps the baby warm, increases accessibility to breast feeding, and protects the baby from infections. This study was done to identify supportive factors and barriers in practicing KMC as perceived by mothers of LBW babies and health care personnel (HCP).Methods: It was a questionnaire based descriptive study. Mothers of LBW babies and HCP were enrolled in study. Mothers and HCP were sensitized regarding KMC and after practicing KMC for 3 days, mothers were interviewed with the help of a predefined proforma. Feedback from the HCP was also taken. Data analysis was performed by using IBM SPSS ver. 20 software.Results: Most common factor in initiation and practice of KMC were, knowledge regarding KMC after training (100%), environmental factors (privacy and resources) (87.27%) and support from HCP (94.54%). Most common barriers perceived during performance of KMC were lack of knowledge about KMC during pregnancy (80%), pain due to LSCS/episiotomy (64.54%) and lack of support from family members (51.81%). Majority of the HCP strongly agree that parents must be encouraged to adopt KMC (82.92%), KMC is hampered due to presence of visitors in the ward (73.17%). KMC needs separate room (68.29%) and it is difficult due to LSCS (51.21%).Conclusions: To increase KMC practice, mother’s knowledge about KMC can be improved by educating them in antenatal clinics and all HCP should receive training on KMC.

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