Study Objectives: To compare the mean duration of phototherapy in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia receiving phototherapy with vs. without probiotics. Study Design and Settings: It was a randomized controlled trial carried at Department of Pediatrics, DHQ Hospital Kasur from Jan 2021 to June 2021. Patients and Methods: The present research involved 94 neonates of both genders aged between 2 to 28 days of life diagnosed of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (serum bilirubin level ≥15mg/dL and direct bilirubin level ≤1.5 mg/dL). These neonates were allocated into two groups randomly. Neonates in Group-I were given probiotics along with conventional treatment of phototherapy whereas neonates in Group-II received conventional phototherapy alone. Study outcome was described in terms of mean duration of phototherapy (phototherapy was stopped when serum bilirubin level was less than 10 mg/dl during the first week and less than 11 mg/dl after the first week) which was recorded and compared between the groups. An informed written consent was taken from parents of every neonate. Results of the Study: The mean age of the neonates was 6.54±4.96 days while the mean gestational age was 37.31±2.04 weeks. There were 55 (58.5%) baby boys and 39 (41.5%) baby girls with a boys to girls ratio of 1.4:1. The mean weight of the neonates was 2.89±0.49 Kg while the mean serum bilirubin level upon admission was 16.73±1.19 mg/dl. The mean duration of phototherapy was significantly shorter in neonates receiving probiotics along with phototherapy as compared to phototherapy alone (3.13±0.92 vs. 3.81±1.12 days; p=0.002). Similar significant difference was observed across various subgroups based on age, gender, gestational age, weight and serum bilirubin level upon admission. Conclusion: Addition of probiotics to conventional practice of phototherapy alone in jaundiced neonates was found to hasten the recovery evident from significant reduction in the mean duration of phototherapy advocating its routine use in future practice. Keywords: Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia, Phototherapy, Probiotics

Objective: To find out the outcome of intermittent Kangaroo Mother Care KMC) in terms of weight-gain among low birth weight (LBW) neonates in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Study Design: A randomized controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted at Department of Pediatrics Gulab Devi Hospital, Lahore from March 2020 to February 2021. Methodology: A total of 226 (113 KMC Group and 113 controls) neonates of both genders with birth weight between 1500 grams to 2499 grams admitted to NICU with their mothers available for KMC application were enrolled. KMC Groups received KMC whereas controls were given conventional care. KMC was started from 8th post-natal day and a separate block of NICU was dedicated for the implementation of KMC. Body weight of all the neonates was measured from day-zero (8th post-natal day) up to day-7 (15th post-natal day). Results: Out of a total of 226 neonates, 121 (53.5%) were boys and 105 (46.5%) girls, Overall, mean gestational age was calculated to be 34.8±2.6 weeks. Most frequent main diagnosis at the time of admission was pneumonia, 64 (28.3%) neonates. Mean body weight was significantly increased among neonates of KMC Group in comparison to control at day-4, day-6 and day-7 (p<0.05). Total weight gain from day-0 to day-7 was found to be 0.24±0.1 kg in KMC groups and 0.15±0.1 kg among controls (p<0.0001). Mean duration of hospital stay was noted to be 17.5±2.9 days in KMC Group versus 20.7±3.4 days among controls (p<0.0001). Conclusion: In comparison to conventional care, intermittent KMC was found to significantly more effective in terms of improvement in weight gain and reduction in duration of hospitalization. Keywords: Exclusive breast-feeding, Kangaroo mother care, neonatal intensive care unit, pneumonia.