Background: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid hormone. Vitamin D also has immunomodulatory effects on immune function. Early onset sepsis (EOS) is characterized by signs and symptoms of infection with or without accompanying bacteremia in the first three days of life. The objective of the study was to determine the possible association between neonatal vitamin D levels and EOS in term neonates.Methods: 100 term neonates with clinical and laboratory findings of EOS (study group) and 100 healthy infants with no signs of clinical/laboratory infection (control group) were enrolled. Sera was drawn during first 3 postnatal days of life in both groups for measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels.Results: Neonatal 25-OHD levels (17.4ng/dL) in the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group (26.8 ng/dL) (p=0.001). In present study negative correlation was found between vitamin D level and CRP.Conclusions: Lower neonatal 25-OHD levels are associated with EOS. Adequate vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may be helpful to prevent EOS in term neonates.

Tympanometry is used in evaluating middle ear functional conditions. Before 6 months of age its results may be misleading. High-frequency studies aim to provide more valid procedures. In this study, 236 healthy newborns (127 male, 109 female; 73 % rural, 27 % urban) with age between 0 and 42 days (mean 27 days) no risk for hearing impairment; were analyzed for DPOAE. 209 babies who passed DPOAE were further analyzed for high-frequency tympanometry using Interacoustic AT235h tympanometer, which was possible for 399 ears. The success rate for HFT was 95.3 %. Descriptive statistics for six parameters TPP, Y 200, Y peak, Y tail, YpC-200 and Ypc-tail were analyzed and compared with previous studies. All the parameters except the Ypc-tail were in the range of previous studies.

Introduction: Pneumonia remains a significant health problem in India with significant morbidity and mortality. Objectives of this study were to identifying an effective nutritional agent that reduces the need for antibiotics, duration of pneumonia and length of hospitalization would be highly cost-beneficial.Material and Methods: This was a hospital-based case-control study: A total of 100 children including 50 cases and 50 controls, aged 2–60 months, were enrolled. Case definition of severe ALRI as given by the World Health Organization was used for cases. Controls were healthy children attending outpatients’ service for immunization or admitted for minor ailments other than ALRTI.Results: Mean 25(OH)D concentrations in children of the study group were lower than those of the control group (20.431 ng/mL vs. 27.67 ng/mL; p = 0.035). Factors significantly associated with decreased risk of ALRTI in univariate analysis were: exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months (cases 13/50 (26%), controls 42/50 (84%); p=0.000); adequate exposure to sunlight (cases 14/50 (28%), controls 42/50 (84%); P=0.000); and serum 25OHD3 <20 ng/ml (cases 28/50 (56%), controls 0/50 (0%); p=.000). Multivariate logistic model indicated that severe vitamin D deficiency (OR=NA), exclusive breast feeding (OR=.174); 95% CI (.061- .521; p=.002) and adequate sunlight exposure (OR=.179) ;95%CI (.062-.519); p=.002) were significant independent predictive risk factors for ALRTI among the children between 2 months – 5 years of age (all p<0.05).Conclusion: Severe vitamin D deficiency (<20ng/ml), nonexclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life, inadequate sun exposure were significant risk factors for ALRTI in Indian children.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2016;36(1):14-18

Background: Transient tachypnea of newborn (TTN) is a common cause of respiratory distress in newborns with estimated incidence of 1-2% of all newborns. Although a self-limiting transient condition but it may cause severe morbidities. This study was conducted to find association of serum vitamin D levels in neonates who develop TTN as compared to normal healthy neonates.Methods: With thorough history with structured questionnaire and lab tests, serum vitamin D levels of 45 neonates who develop TTN were compared with 56 healthy neonates in control group.Results: Out of 45 neonates who develop TTN 39(86.7%) were deficient in vitamin D as compared to control group where 33(58.9%) out of 56 healthy neonates were deficient in vitamin D.Conclusions: Lower vitamin D levels at birth in term neonates is associated with increased risk of developing TTN and vitamin D may have a role in its pathogenesis.

Background: Routine childhood immunization is a proven tool for eradicating and controlling infectious diseases. Despite its key role in maintaining global public health, many individuals either refuse or delay immunization because of pain from the needle puncture. Several methods have been employed to reduce injection pain during immunization in children.Methods: Study comprised of 210 healthy infants coming for immunizations. They were divided into three groups A, B and C having equal number of infants. Group A was given oral sucrose solution, group B was given topical anaesthetic prior to immunization; whereas group C acted as controls. Response to pain was recorded among the three groups and findings were analyzed.Results: Infants enrolled in group A, i.e. those who were given 24% oral sucrose solution before immunization showed significant reduction in pain (measured by modified behaviour pain scale) as compared to control group at 15 seconds and 60 seconds of injection administration. Infants enrolled in group B, i.e. those who were sprayed topical local anaesthetics (10% lignocaine spray) before immunization showed significant reduction in pain as compared to control group at 15 seconds and 60 seconds of injection administration.Conclusions: Administration of oral sucrose solution and application of topical local anaesthetics are effective measures to reduce injection pain during immunization. Administration of oral sucrose solution before immunization showed greater reduction in pain as compared to application of topical local anaesthetics in present study.