Introduction BMI is a tool to measure maternal nutritional status. Maternal malnutrition is frequently reported health problem especially during child bearing age and effects neonatal birth weight. Aim To determine relationship between prepregnancy maternal BMI and neonatal birth weight. Methods and material Prospective, cross sectional study conducted in Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan over a period of 1 year including 2766 mother—neonate pairs. All full term, live born neonates of both gender in early neonatal period (<72 hours) with documented maternal pre-pregnancy and/or first trimester BMI were enrolled. Data analysis using SPSS version 20, was performed. Results Data analysis of 2766 mother–neonates pairs showed that there were 32.9% overweight and 16.5% obese mothers. More than two third of all overweight and obese mothers were of age group between 26–35 years. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, medical illness, uterine malformations and caesarean mode of delivery were more prevalent in obese mothers as 22.8%, 10.1%, 13.2%, 2.6% and 75.4% respectively. Mean birth weight, length and OFC increased with increasing maternal BMI. Comparing for normal weight mothers, underweight mothers were at increased risk of low birth weight (p< 0.01) and low risk of macrosomic neonates (p<0.01). However overweight and obese mothers were comparable to normal weight mothers for delivering macrosomic neonates (p 0.89 and p 0.66 respectively). Conclusions Our study highlights that direct relationship exists between maternal BMI and neonatal birth weight.

Objective: To document the methods of eye care and surma use in neonates. Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore Mayo Hospital Lahore and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore from 1st July 2020 to 31st December 2020. Methodology: Two thousand two hundred and thirty seven females (mostly mothers and female attendants) during ward rounds and outpatient clinics. The socio-demographic data, frequency of different eye care practices and Surma use in neonates were recorded. Results: Most participants aged between 20 to 40 years (70%), were urban (75.5%), and housewives (54%). Only 15% were illiterate, remaining having at least some schooling or more. 90% were married, though 52% (unmarried + married and no kid+ first-time mothers) did not have personal experience of baby care. Medical personnel had guided females and families in 49%. Of the counselling by relatives (15.2%), grandmothers were a common influence. For first eye care after birth, 67% would use clean water, 19.9% did not know, and 5.5% would use unsafe methods like antimicrobial agents or rose water. A majority (65%) of participants intended to use Surma, usually once a day, the commonest reason being beautification of eyes and face. There was no correlation between eye care method, use of Surma, and socio-demographics. Conclusion: We should prioritize the educations of our medical personnel as well the whole families and community. Key words: Neonates, Eye care, Surma

Objective: To find the types and frequency of prelacteal use, factors influencing their use and its impact on breastfeeding. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from Jul to Dec 2019. Methodology: In the study, mothers and female attendants of newborn babies were interviewed following a specific questionnaire. The given answers were recorded and captured data about socio-demographics, knowledge, attitude and actual practices of mothers and families related to use of prelacteals. The results were analysed using SPSS 22. Results: We interviewed 1601 mothers and female attendants of neonates. The mean age was 32.3 ± 8.2 years. Most of the females were married (1211, 75.6%) and resided in Lahore (1281, 80%). About one third, 581 (36.3%) were either illiterate or had inadequate schooling. Two-thirds (1000, 62.5%) of women wanted to give some prelacteal feed soon after birth. Honey was the most the commonest choice (in 722, 45.1%), seconded by ghutti (107, 6.7%). Most females (1467, 91.6%) wanted to give colostrum, and 1552 (96.9%) would breastfeed the baby. 1221 (75.2%) wanted to start mother-feed immediately or within 2 hours of birth. Conclusion: The use of prelacteal is common in Pakistan culture. A consistent effort is needed to counter the unsafe prelacteal use.

Background: Proper cord care methods in neonates have been known to reduce infections, sepsis, and death. This study intends to document the frequency of cord care methods. Methods: A questionnaire-based study was done in 6 months in a tertiary care hospital with a level 3 nursery and NICU (Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore). We interviewed mothers and female companions of neonates in wards and outpatient clinics. Answers were added to SPSS in socio-demographic categories and cord care methods. Result: A total of 778 females were interviewed. The mean age is 28 + 8.1 years, mostly educated (90%) and resided in urban areas (83%). 39.4% of the participants had personal experience of newborn care. Most were housewives (74.4%). 36.8% would not apply anything to the cord, but the other majority would apply some agent to the newborn cord, methylated spirit being the favourite (48.5%), remaining being mostly antibiotics and antimicrobial agents. Chlorhexidine was used only by one participant. Doctors and nurses had counselled 70% of the participants, but 10% listened to the advice of relatives and grandmothers. 18.5% declined any knowledge of safe practices. Conclusions: Our study emphasizes the need to educate our hospital staff (doctors, nurses and midwives) as well as family members of neonates with standardised cord care methods. Keywords: Neonates, Cord care, Umbilical cord,Methylated spirit.

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