Clinical profile and immediate outcomes in neonates born to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers at a tertiary care centre

Introduction: There is a scarcity of clinical data on the clinical profile of neonates born to COVID positive mothers as well as their immediate outcomes, especially in the Indian context. We aimed to describe the clinical profile and immediate outcomes of neonates born to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers. Methods: This was a retrospective, chart based observational study conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and post-natal wards at a tertiary care centre in Mangalore, Karnataka. All neonates born to women with SARS-CoV-2 infection within two weeks prior to or two days after delivery were included in the study. Data regarding epidemiologic, demographic, clinical features and laboratory tests in neonates born to covid positive mothers were recorded. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and outcomes expressed as frequency, proportions, percentages and chi square test. Results: From April 2020 to September 2021, 99 babies born to covid positive mothers for were included. 31(32%) neonates were symptomatic and 66(68%) were asymptomatic. Out of the 99 neonates, 84 of the neonates were tested. 81(81.8%) were COVID negative. 3(3.6%) were tested positiveby quantitative RT PCR done within 72 hours of life. All the positive neonates were symptomatic and required respiratory support. Infected neonates had no statistically significant difference with noninfected. Conclusions: Covid positivity among neonates born to covid positive mothers was low and majority remained asymptomatic and overall neonates did well

Immunization of children under 5 years: Mother's knowledge, attitude, and practice in a rural community

Background: Mothers' knowledge, attitude and practice toward childhood vaccination is the most adequate tool for prevention of infectious disease epidemics. A study on the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding immunization will help in our understanding of the variables that influence parental decision-making regarding immunization. Aims and Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding immunization in mothers of under 5 children in rural area in Bantwal Taluk in Mangalore. Material and Methods: This was a cross sectional questionnaire-based study conducted on 486 mothers of under 5 children in a rural area in Mangalore from November 2021 – January 2022. Data was collected using pretested semi structured questionnaires. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, chi square test and outcomes expressed as frequency, proportions and percentages. Results: 99.8% mothers were aware that vaccination prevents children from infectious disease and its complications. 23.2% of the mothers had the misconception that multiple doses of the same vaccine were not important for their child's immunity. Vaccination campaigns to vaccinate their children were not considered important by 4.4% mothers. A significalnt proportion (26.3%) believed that multiple vaccinations at the same time would have a negative impact on their child. Most of the mothers were of the opinion that childhood vaccination was important and vaccination was more beneficial than harmful. 77% were of the opinion that the child could not get infected by the disease once vaccinated. 99.6% of the children were vaccinated at birth and 98.8% of the children were completely immunized. Optional vaccines were not given to majority of the children. Conclusions: Majority of the mothers were aware about the need for vaccination, had positive attitude towards the same and satisfactory immunization practices. Most of the children had completed immunization for their age, which in turn reflects on the adequate knowledge among the mothers