Introduction: The objectives of this study were to study the incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among preterm low birth weight babies and its association with oxygen therapy. Material and Methods: During one year study period, 50 neonates, who had fulfilled the inclusion criteria (born at gestational age ≤ 35 wks), were included in the present study. They were examined by indirect ophthalmoscopy by an ophthalmologist in NICU or ophthalmology outdoor. Staging of ROP was done according to the International classification. Data obtained from this study were entered in Microsoft Excel and subsequently analysed in SPSS version 20.0. Results: Among study population, 12 neonates (24%) showed evidence of retinopathy of prematurity, and Stage 2 ROP was most common (41.7%) within this group. Those neonates who had born ≤28 wks gestational age, showed more incidence (75%) of ROP. There was significant association between ROP and prematurity, low birth weight, mechanical ventilation, duration and concentration of oxygen therapy. Conclusion: Apart from prematurity and low birth weight, oxygen therapy also carries significant risk for ROP. Thus, judicious use of oxygen in premature babies can reduce incidence of ROP significantly.

Background: Very low birth weight babies are very fragile in nature and usually undergone through stormy neonatal period, which affects significantly their neurodevelopmental outcome in long term basis.Aims and Objectives: 1. Assessment of neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birth weight (VLBW) babies at 12 month corrected gestational age. 2. Study of risk factors associated with such outcome.Materials and Methods: VLBW babies without any major congenital anomaly were included in this study. They were followed up in high risk clinic upto 12 month corrected gestational age. In follow up visits, assessment of tone was done by Amiel Tiesonmethod and 180 degree flip test. Developmental screening was done by Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST II).Data obtained from this study were entered in Microsoft Excel and subsequently analysed with the help of Epi Info (TM) 3.5.3 software.Results: 24.4% among the study population showed neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Of them, 22.2% VLBW infants had muscle tone abnormality; 15.6% were suspect in gross motor development, 8.9% were suspect in fine motor, 11.1% were suspect in personal – social and 8.9% were suspect in language development, which were statistically significant. On assessment of risk factors, it was found that low birth weight, prematurity, non-use of antenatal corticosteroid, hypoglycaemia, intraventricular haemorrhage, sepsis, jaundice, mechanical ventilation, intra uterine growth retardation were significantly associated with various strata of neurodevelopmental outcome.Conclusion: VLBW babies are very prone to develop neurodevelopmental complications. Taking proper care regarding above said risk factors can reduce such complications. Also these babies should follow up properly to detect complication/s at earliest, and take “early intervention’’ steps.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 61-69

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in modern neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Increasing trend of antibiotic resistance makes this problem more difficult to tackle, at present. Haemodynamically compromised neonates, particularly those requiring ventilator support, often suffer from multidrug resistant sepsis. The objectives of this study were to determine micro-organisms causing sepsis in those neonates requiring ventilator support and the sensitivity patterns of those micro-organisms.Material and Method: During 18 months of study period, 48 neonates, who had fulfilled the chosen inclusion criteria were included in this study. They were investigated with blood culture, urine culture, CSF culture, and endotracheal tube tip culture (taken within 48 hours of starting ventilation), as per relevance. Those who were found positive to any micro-organism, were also explored. They were studied further for antimicrobial sensitivity pattern. Data obtained from this study were analysed using SPSS-20.0.Results: 15(31.3%) neonates were found to be culture positive. Klebsiella sp. was most common (33.3%) organism isolated, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20%). Most common antibiotic found to be sensitive was Meropenem (86.67%), followed by Colistin and Tigecycline (80% each).Conclusion: Nowadays, all NICUs throughout the world face a common problem of multidrug resistant sepsis. There is always a doubt regarding choice of second line antibiotics, when one considers for upgradation. As per this study, authors considered Meropenem as second line antibiotic of choice, as other sensitive antibiotics like Colistin, Tigecycline wield more adverse effects on neonates.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2016;36(1):34-37