BACKGROUNDDiabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorder complicating pregnancy. Infants born to diabetic mothers (IDMs) are at increased risk of serious complications compared to those of nondiabetic mothers. This study focuses on various clinical, metabolic and haematological complications of infants of diabetic mothers, both gestational and pregestational diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted in Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed University, Karad, Maharashtra, over a period of 9 months duration. 25 infants of diabetic mothers admitted to the NICU were included in the study. Maternal history regarding diabetes mellitus was obtained and complete neonatal examination was performed and recorded. Relevant biochemical and haematological tests as well as echocardiography was conducted in all the neonates. RESULTSOf the 25 neonates, 21 (84%) were born to mothers with gestational diabetes and 4 (16%) were born to mothers with pregestational diabetes. Most of them, 14 (56%) were delivered by normal vaginal delivery. 2 (8%) were born prematurely. Majority of them were AGA (68%). The most common haematological and metabolic abnormalities recorded were hypoglycaemia (32%), polycythaemia (56%) and hyperbilirubinaemia (48%). Congenital malformations were seen in 28% babies in the form of heart disease. There were no neonatal deaths in our study. CONCLUSIONMaternal diabetes has an adverse effect on foetal growth, glucose metabolism, oxygenation and preparation for extrauterine life. Our study suggests that hypoglycaemia and polycythaemia remain the most common complication in infants of diabetic mothers. They are also at a greater risk for congenital heart diseases.

Anaemia in adolescent girls contributes to prenatal morbidity and mortality in the future. The present study was undertaken with the aim of studying the clinical-haematological profile of anaemia in adolescent girls in the North Indian tertiary care hospital. Among 380 adolescent girls, hemoglobin concentration was less than 12 gm/dl among 172 (45.3%) girls which was classified as anemia. 91 (52.9%) girls were classified as having mild anemia (Hb- 11.0 to 11.9 gm/dl), 69 (40.1%) had moderate anemia (Hb- 8.0 to 10.9 gm/dl) and 12 (7.0%) girls had severe anemia (Hb- less than 8 gm/dl). Most common cause of anaemia was iron deficiency anaemia. Mean  age of study participants was 14 years with Standard deviation of 2.73. In the present study, prevalence of anemia increases with increase in socio- economic class of study participants. Prevalence of anemia was more in underweight girls in comparison to those girls who had normal range of BMI.

Bleeding disorders (BDs) are quite uncommon, and most bleeding episodes commonly encounter in children as a result of local factors. However, the available literature is not enough to demonstrate the commonly encountered BDs among children. Hence, this study was intended to demonstrate the hematological pattern of BD’s over different age groups of children. In this prospective study, 100 patients of either gender, aged between 0 to 12 years attending the pediatric ward with bleeding manifestations were evaluated clinically to identify an underlying etiology by physical, familial and hematological examination. The data on demographics, family history, the onset of bleeding manifestations, laboratory findings, diagnosis with respective etiologies were collected, tabulated and interpreted. Out of 100 cases,38% had acquired BDs, followed by platelet disorders (32%), inherited (26%) and vascular BDs (4%). Among acquired cases, disseminated intravascular coagulation (25/100) with hepatic impairment (40%) is the predominant cause. In inherited cases, von-willebrand factor deficiency (18/100) was more predominant than factor VIII deficiency (12/100). School going children (6-9 years; 32%) and infants (21%) were the most affected age groups. Anemia (69%) and growth retardation (13%) were commonly observed complications. Acquired coagulopathies contribute a major portion of bleeding disorders in children. Infants and school-going children are at greater risk to develop coagulopathies. The understanding etiological cause is essential for accurate diagnosis and management in order to prevent morbidity associated with coagulopathies in children.