Objectives: The present study was undertaken to study and compare anthropometry and physiological parameters in preterm and low birth weight infants during conventional care and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). Methods: This prospective case-control study was conducted in the department of pediatrics of a tertiary care hospital in central India from June 2016 to September 2017. Study on KMC was conducted on 200 newborns weighing <2.0 kg meeting study criteria with similar baseline characteristics. With minimum duration of 6 hrs/day where as controls given incubator and cot care. Parameters were studied until discharge criteria were meet. The primary outcome variable was "weight gain and anthropometry" and secondary measures included breastfeeding and duration of hospitalization and physiological parameters. Results: KMC group showed a significant decrease in the duration of hospital stay (11.69±5.14 vs. 18.5±1.8 days) (p=0.0001) and better rate of breastfeeding (66% vs. 21%) as compared to control group. KMC group also shows higher weight gain (19.7±6.3 g/day) in comparison to control (11.4±3.3 g/day), (p=0.001). There was a mean increase of 0.7 cm/week in head circumference in KMC group and 0.4 cm/week in the control group (p=0.000). The mean increase in length was 0.89 cm/week in KMC group and 0.45 cm/week in control group (p=0.0001). The mean heart rate and respiratory rate were similar in both the groups (p=0.498 and p=0.555, respectively). The mean temperature difference was significant and shows that KMC group has a higher temperature of 0.4°F (p=0.001). In other physiological parameters, no episodes of apnea and hypoglycemia were present in KMC group as compared to 4 episode of hypoglycemia and 3 episodes of apnea in the control group. Conclusion: Newborns receiving KMC showed better growth parameters as compared to the routine care along with a better breastfeeding rate. Better thermal control and decreased episodes of hypoglycaemia & apnea in KMC group.

Background: Mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major route of new infections in children. The use of anti-retroviral therapy and nevirapine to mother-baby pairs has shown to be quite effective in preventing the transmission of virus from mother-to-child. Objectives: To analyze the incidence of HIV transmission in children born to HIV-infected pregnant women and to analyze the outcome of these children. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care referral hospital of central India for a period of 3 years. Data analysis of the mothers with HIV-positive serology up to their delivery andfollow-up of their babies for 18 months was performed. Perinatal mortality rate (PMR) and neonatal mortality rates (NMRs), mother-to-child transmission rate, and the outcome of their children on the basis of various factors - such as maternal CD4 count, treatment taken, and feeding practices - were analyzed. Results: 161 HIV-positive mothers gave birth to 164 babies (including 1 triplet and 1 twin) during the study period. An incidence of mother-to-child transmission was 8.06% and it was influenced by maternal CD4 count, maternal comorbidities, mode of delivery, and feeding practices. In our study, PMR was 48.78/1000 live births; NMR was 54.87/1000 live births as compared to 25/1000 live births in children born to seronegative mothers. Conclusion: The risk of vertical transmission of HIV from mother-to-baby was 8%. Maternal HIV transmission is the primary means by which infants become infected. Hence, the prevention of maternal HIV transmission is of paramount importance.

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