This study was conducted to demonstrate the need to supplement purely breast-fed babies with Vitamin D. Method: Serum levels of 25(OH) D, Calcium and alkaline phosphatase were estimated in 50 babies, 6 to 10 weeks of age, and their mothers. They were grouped according to whether they had received vitamin D and calcium supplements: Group 1 - Both, mothers and babies were unsupplemented. Group 2 - Mothers but not babies were supplemented. Group 3 - Both mothers and babies received supplements. The effect of supplementation of mother or baby was studied. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was high in both lactating mothers (82%) and their babies (97.5%). There was a strong positive correlation between vitamin D levels of the mothers and their 6-10 week old babies. Only direct supplementation of babies resulted in adequate s.25 (OH) D levels. Conclusions: Exclusively breastfed infants require to be supplemented with at least 400 IU/day from soon afterbirth.

Aims and objectives: To assess the role of Gastric aspirate cytology as marker for Neonatal sepsis in Very low birth weight babies. We compared gastric aspirate cytology and blood culture of the babies and high vaginal swab of the respective mothers, in a group of VLBW babies. Settings: Special care nursery of a multi speciality teaching and regional referral hospital in West Bengal, India. Study Design: Case Control study. Participants: 150 VLBW babies were selected randomly. Out of them 55 babies were suffering from neonatal sepsis (cases) and remaining 95 were clinically normal (Controls). Interventions: Gastric aspirate cytology done for the babies (n = 150) Blood culture done for the babies (n = 150) High vaginal Swab for culture of the mothers of the above mentioned babies (n = 150). Sepsis screen done forthe babies (n=150). Main outcome measures: Association between the incidence of sepsis, gastric aspirate cytology and high vaginal swab results. Results: It is seen there is strong association between neonatal sepsis, especially early onset sepsis, positivity of maternal high vaginal swab and positive gastric aspirate cytology in VLBW babies. Results were tested against controls with Chi-square test and significance of association was obtained. Conclusion: Gastric aspirate cytology is an inexpensive and specific marker for early determination of risk of neonatal sepsis in VLBW babies. It can be an indispensable part of any sepsis screen.

The global annual incidence of tuberculosis is 9.6 million to which India contributes 2.2 million cases. Continued detection of childhood TB to the tune of half a million cases per year indicates ongoing transmission at a higher rate in India, coupled with problems of malnutrition, HIV, poverty, illiteracy, lack of awareness, poor detection rate, noncompliance, apathy, so on and so forth. TB in children is often extra-pulmonary unlike adults. The subtle symptoms and signs, variable presentations make it difficult to diagnose at grass root level in the community due to lack of experience among general practitioners, besides poor facilities for early detection and treatment. The whole gamut of childhood tuberculosis – clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects has been updated in this review.

Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is an X linked dominant genodermatosis that affects skin, eyes, CNS, teeth and skeletal system. Skin manifestations are most common and occur in four quite distinctive phases. Here, we present a female neonate with vesiculobullous lesions in the limbs and trunk which healed with hyperpigmentation. Skin biopsy revealed eosinophilic spongiosis and suprabasal bullae, suggestive of incontinentia pigmenti.

Patients infected with human immunod-eficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) are at increased risk of developing severe haematological complications when they are in highly active anti retroviral therapy (HAART). Although there is a proven adverse drug reactions with those drugs, but it can be manageable with some supplement therapy which had seen in this case. We report a patient infected with HIV-1 positive that she was on regular treatment with Zidovudine (AZT), Lamivudine (3TC) and Nevirapine (NVP) for the past 2 months developed with the complaints of vomiting, decreased appetite (1 month) and rapid breathing. The patient diagnosed with HIV and was started with the regimen Zidovudine, Lamivudine, and Nevirapine. During his next review after a month, the patient was subjected to laboratory investigations which showed abnormalities in hematological parameters. Hemoglobin-2.8 g/dl, RBC- 1.06×10⁶/mm³, HCT-8.1%, MCH-19pg, MCHC-22.7g/dl, RDW-37%. In view of adverse effects with Zidovudine, the regimen was switched to Abacavir, Lamivudine and Nevirapine. Before initiating the Zidovudine containing ART regimen, it is essential to monitor the hematological parameters of the HIV-1 infected patient. Health care providers may consider this fact to bring good outcomes in HIV infected patients.