BACKGROUNDAppendicitis is one of the commonest surgical emergencies with a lifetime risk of 7-8%. The appendicectomy specimens operated upon clinically-suspected appendicitis often appear normal on gross examination, but histopathological evaluation may reveal a diverse underlying pathology. Therefore, for accurate diagnosis, histopathological examination of all appendicectomy specimens is mandatory.

Background: Antiretroviral prophylaxis given soon after birth to all HIV exposed infants is effective in reducing MTCT which forms the basis of post exposure prophylaxis strategy. Infant ARV prophylaxis is also highly effective in reducing transmission through breast milk. Subjects and Methods: All mothers were counseled regarding advantages and disadvantages of both exclusive breast feeding and mixed feeding and was started on EBF on their choice. Babies were followed up at birth, 4weeks, 6weeks, 10weeks, 14weeks and monthly thereafter until 6 months of age and during every visit detailed history and clinical examination was performed and entered in preformed proforma. HIV status was evaluated at 6weeks and 6 months of life by direct blood spot for HIV-1 DNA PCR by ICTC and if it was positive it was confirmed by whole blood sample for HIV-1 DNA PCR at ART Centre. Results: At the end of 6 months, most common clinical morbidity noticed in HIV exposed exclusively breast fed infants was clinical pallor in 4(19.0%), followed by URTI, splenomegaly in 2(9.5%), and hepatomegaly, loose stools, oral thrush, severe acute malnutrition, and microcephaly was observed in 1(4.8%) babies. Conclusion: The breast milk of HIV-infected women may confer protection against common infant pathogens.

Inclusion Criteria: The adult patients of both sexes presenting with pain in the abdomen with tenderness in the right iliac fossa were included in the study. ABSTRACTBackground: Acute appendicitis even today remains the commonest cause of acute abdomen needing surgical intervention. In developing countries the clinical diagnosis still poses a challenge to the surgeon and advanced radiological investigations are not cost effective while histopathological diagnosis remains the gold standard. The Modified Alvarado score augments the accuracy of diagnosis of appendicitis thus reducing the rate of negative appendicectomy. Methods:Patients admitted with clinical findings suggestive of Acute appendicitis were evaluated by applying Modified Alvarado scoring system.Those patients with Alvarado scores above 5 were subjected to appendicectomy. The Modified Alvarado score was correlated with that of histopathologial features of appendicectomy specimens. Results:The histopathological features of appendicitis was seen in 87.8% of the cases whose scores were more than 7 while negative appendicitis was seen in 38.1% whose scores were between 5-7.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Alvarado scores in our study were 87.80%, 38.01%, 73.50% and 61.50% respectively. Conclusions:The study concludes that the Modified Alvarado scoring system is more sensitive in diagnosing acute appendicitis with reference to the histopathological findings.

Background: Neonatal mortality rate is one of the indicators which depict the health care status of that country. Hospital based mortality and morbidity pattern helps in improving the quality of health care delivery in the hospital. Objectives: (1) To determine the neonatal mortality trend over 36 months and various causes of neonatal mortality. (2) To determine the risk factors for early and late neonatal deaths.

Background: Approximately 15-25% of HIV-infected newborns in developed countries present with a rapid disease course, with onset of AIDS and symptoms during the 1st few months of life and a median survival time of 6-9 months if untreated. In resource-poor countries, the majority of HIV-infected newborns will have this rapidly progressing disease. Subjects and Methods: All babies who were exposed to HIV positive mother irrespective of mode of delivery and received NVP birth dose within 6 to 12 hours of delivery and prophylaxis continued till 6 weeks according to PPTCT guidelines 2012 by National AIDS Control organization(NACO). Results: Among 21 babies, 19 (90.5%) babies had both parents HIV positive and in 2 (9.5%) only mother was HIV positive. Out of the 21 mothers in this study, Almost 9(42.8%) mothers had CD4 count of <350 and remaining 12(57.2%) mothers had CD4 count >350. Conclusion: Out of 21 babies, 15 (71.4%) were delivered by spontaneous vaginal delivery, 5 (23.8%) through LSCS and 1 (4.8%) by Instrumental (forceps) delivery.