Background Preterm constitutes a major part of neonatal mortality, particularly in India. Due to dermal immaturity, preterm neonates are susceptible to various complications like infection, hypothermia, etc. Emollient application is a traditional practice in our subcontinent. Aims To find out the efficacy of coconut oil application for skin maturity, prevention of sepsis, hypothermia and apnea, its effect on long-term neurodevelopment and adverse effect of it, if any. Material and methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the rural field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Burdwan Medical College from March 2014 to August 2018. Preterm born in the study period was divided into Group A (received virgin coconut oil application) and Group B (received body massage without any application). Neonatal skin condition was assessed on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day of life. Neurodevelopmental status was assessed on 3rd, 6th and 12th months. Results A total of 2294 preterm were included in the study. Groups A and B consisted of 1146 and 1148 preterm infants, consecutively. Mean gestational age of the study population was 31.9 ± 3.4 weeks and 50.4% were male. Mean weight loss in first few days was less in group A but mean weight gain per day was higher in group B. Lesser incidences of hypothermia and apnea, and better skin maturity and neurodevelopmental outcome were noted in group A. No significant adverse effect was noted with coconut oil application. Conclusion Use of coconut oil helps in dermal maturity and better neurodevelopmental outcome. Further studies are warranted for universal recommendation.

Introduction Birth asphyxia may cause neuro-developmental impairment in the affected newborns especially those who had hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy. Music therapy has been observed to help in reducing pain and stress in newborns and improve neurodevelopmental outcome. Objectives The objective of this study is to determine the effects of music therapy on the outcomes of birth asphyxia. Methods A randomized controlled trial involving 3095 newborns born between January 2013 and August 2019 with birth asphyxia was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of Burdwan Medical College. They were distributed in two groups—A (received music therapy along with coventional management) and B (only received conventional management), using computer-generated randomization. Pain score was assessed during any painful procedure and the neurodevelopmental outcome was measured at 3rd, 6th, 12th, 18th and 24th months. p < 0.01 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 3095 newborns were included with a mean gestation of 34.3 ± 2.1 weeks and 56.7% of them were male. Mean hospital stay, oxygen dependency, requirement of mechanical ventilation and incidence of apnea were significantly lesser among newborns of group A. Newborns of group B showed a significantly higher mean pain score, whereas newborns in Group A exhibited significantly greater mental and motor neurodevelopmental quotients. Conclusions Music therapy was observed to help in reducing hospital stay, oxygen dependency, incidences of apnea, pain during procedures and also resulted in better neurodevelopmental outcome. However, before generalizing the findings, further multi-centric research should be undertaken.

Background:Iron is important for brain development and cognitive function. Iron deficiency may cause alteration of neurotransmitters and may be manifested by different central nervous system disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Aims:As studies are scarce in the Indian context, we had undertaken this study to find out the association between iron deficiency and ADHD.Settings and Design:Hospital-based cross-sectional study.Materials and Methods:Hematological parameters indicating iron status (hemoglobin [Hb], ferritin, Iron, total iron binding capacity [TIBC], mean corpuscular volume [MCV], and mean corpuscular Hb [MCH]) were measured among 119 ADHD patients selected by complete enumeration method and 119 controls.Statistical Analysis:Shapiro–Wilk test, Mann–Whitney U-test, Spearman's correlation, and binary logistic regression were used. P < 0.01 was taken as statistically significant.Results:Hb, iron, ferritin, MCV, and MCH were lower among cases and negatively correlated to ADHD, while reverse is true for TIBC and ADHD. Iron deficiency anemia makes one 3.82 times more prone for ADHD.Conclusion:Iron deficiency was associated with ADHD.

No abstract

Background:Tobacco kills half of its users, with smoking and smokeless tobacco killing nearly 6 million people worldwide – one death every 6 s in each year. Use of tobacco over time causes a physical and psychological addiction due to the presence of nicotine. To find out the level of nicotine dependence among adult (18 years and above) tobacco users and the factors responsible for it.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted among 128 current tobacco users in an urban slum of Burdwan District, West Bengal, India. Study tools comprised of predesigned, pretested, semi-structured schedule, containing Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND) questionnaire. Data were collected by interview after getting consent from the participants. Chi-square test, unpaired student t-test, ANOVA, correlation coefficient, and linear regression was calculated. SPSS software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). was used for analysis.Results:High level of nicotine dependence was maximally seen among increased in age group, prolonged duration of use and daily users. Age, duration of tobacco use and habit of tobacco use had a significant positive correlation with FTND score while starting age of tobacco had a significant negative correlation. Then in multivariable linear regression, starting age of tobacco use, habit of tobacco use and duration of tobacco use emerged as a significant predictor of FTND score and could explain 27.3% of total variation in FTND score.Conclusions:Suitable plan for quitting may be developed based on the FTND score of an individual, the most important determinant of quitting.