Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been observed worldwide in pregnant women and their newborns. Maternal vitamin D deficiency can lead to deficiency in their newborn baby and has been linked with various complications during pregnancy and delivery. There is risk of premature delivery and it is associated with high neonatal mortality. Methods: Seventy-nine pregnant women who were admitted to the Siddhi Memorial Hospital for delivery and their newborn babies were enrolled in the study. Maternal blood samples were taken before delivery while umbilical cord blood samples of their babies were taken after delivery. Serum vitamin D level and calcium level were assessed by fluorescence immunoassay using Ichromax vitamin D kit and endpoint method, respectively in the Siddhi Memorial Hospital laboratory. Results: Mean +/− SD serum vitamin D and calcium levels in pregnant mother before delivery were 14.6 +/− 8.5 ng/ml and 8.0 +/− 0.5 mg/dl, respectively, and in the cord blood were 25.7 +/− 11.2 ng/ml and 8.6 +/− 0.9 mg/dl, respectively. Eighty-one percent of the mothers and 35.8% of their babies were found to have vitamin D deficiency. Although 97.5% of the pregnant women were taking calcium supplementation, serum calcium was found lower than the normal reference value in 67% of the pregnant women and 64.2% of their babies. There were a linear relationship between the maternal and baby's serum vitamin D (P < 0.001) and calcium (P < 0.001) levels. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of vitamin D and calcium deficiency in pregnant mothers and newborn babies in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Pregnant women need to be supplemented with adequate amounts of these nutrients.

Oral cavity is the easiest site of entry of microorganisms during breathing, eating, drinking and brushing which can lead to several bacterial infections in oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, gastrointestinal tracts etc. Toothbrushes commonly used to maintain oral health and prevent dental disease; but unfortunately, how keeping the toothbrush is neglected. A wide range of chemicals have been added to toothpastes in order to produce a direct inhibitory effect on plaque formation and kill microorganisms. The aims of the study were to investigate the relationship between toothbrush keeping place, its microbial content determine the type of micro-flora present in toothbrush kept in different locations and to determine efficacy of toothpaste in reducing micro-flora isolated from toothbrush. Used toothbrushes were taken from 21 individuals. 2 (1 herbal and 1 regular) toothpastes were selected for the study and were collected from local market. Standard pour plate method and plate count method were performed to determine the reduction of microbial load. Out of 21 toothbrushes, 19 (90.48%) were found to be growth positive and 2 (9.52%) were growth negative. Common Gram positive organisms isolates includes Lactobacillus species (20%), Bacillus subtilis (5%), Bacillus megaterium (5%), Stahpylococcus aureus (25%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (10%), Micrococcus species (10%) and Gram negative organisms isolated include Citrobacter freundii (5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5%), Proteus mirabilis (5%), Enterobacter species (5%) and Klebsiella pneumonia (5%). Toothbrushes kept in the toilet/bathroom showed contamination with pathogens. Toothpaste T1 was found to be better at reducing microbial load compared to T2. Toilet/bathroom is the worst place for keeping toothbrushes. Toothpastes have their own patent, specialty and were found to be effective against the microorganisms. Synergistic interactions between the principal components of toothpaste can be considered to be a vital part of their efficacy.Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyVol. 13, No. 2, 2017, page: 71-78

Background: Nepal has progressed gradually in reducing under-5 mortality and neonatal mortality; however, they are still high at 30.8 and 19.8 per 1000 live births, respectively. Neonatal mortality constituted about 64% of the under-5 mortality in 2019, higher than the global average of 47%.Methods: This is a prospective study among pregnant women and their newborn babies in Siddhi Memorial Hospital, Bhaktapur, Nepal, from October 2017 to April 2018. Demographic and clinical data, high vaginal swabs of pregnant mothers, and umbilical cord blood were collected. High vaginal swabs were cultured, and umbilical cord blood samples were cultured and tested for inflammatory markers. After discharge to home, neonates were followed for 28 days of life by weekly phone calls.Results: Total number of pregnant mothers enrolled was 151. The median age was 26 years (IQR: 18-40), and the proportion of adolescent mothers was 4.7%. Half of the deliveries were done by the caesarian section, and 8.6% had gestational age <37 weeks. High vaginal swab cultures were positive in 8.2% of the samples (n=135), and Escherichia coli was the most common bacteria. Out of 153 newborn babies (2 were twins), 8 (5.2%) were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. The proportion of low birth weight was 13%, and it was independently associated with neonatal intensive care unit admission (adjusted OR=9.4, 95%CI 1.8-50.1; P value= 0.009).Conclusions: Adolescent pregnancies and Low Birth Weight babies were commonly observed. Both of these issues need to be addressed by effective measures that would improve the current situation of maternal and child health in Nepal.Keywords: Maternal health; morbidity neonates; Nepal; risk factors; morbidity