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Introduction: Nepal is one of the countries which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and has resulted in high morbidity and mortality across all age groups including neonates. There has been a paucity of studies regarding maternal to neonatal COVID-19 transmission and the published studies also have a poor sample size to reach any definite conclusion. Hence this study was carried out to see the clinical profiles of neonates born to COVID-19 mothers. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at a tertiary care centre over the period of one year from April 2020 to March 2021 after taking ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee with reference number drs2105211526. Convenient sampling was done. All neonates born to COVID-19 positive mothers who were diagnosed by a real-time polymerase chain reaction of the nasopharyngeal swab during the time of delivery were included in the study. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 20 using appropriate tools. Results: A total of 105 babies born to COVID-19 positive mothers who were tested for COVID-19 infection were included in the study. Ten (9.5%) (3.89-15.10 at 95% Confidence Interval) of neonates born to COVID-19 positive mothers were positive for the COVID-19 virus. All the neonates born to COVID-19 positive mothers were discharged home except one case who had other comorbidities. Fever was present in four (40%) of COVID-19 positive neonates. Conclusions: There is a possibility of vertical transmission of coronavirus in neonates although the outcome is favourable.

Background Human infections with Serratia spp. are generally limited to Serratia marcescens and the Serratia liquefaciens complex. There is little data regarding the infections caused by the remaining Serratia spp., as they are seldom isolated from clinical specimens. Methods In this health care setting in Kathmandu, Nepal routine blood culture is performed on all febrile patients with a temperature >38°C or when there is clinical suspicion of bacteremia. During 2015 we atypically isolated and identified several Serratia spp. We extracted clinical data from these cases and performed whole genome sequencing on all isolates using a MiSeq system (Ilumina, San Diego, CA, USA). Results Between June and November 2015, we identified eight patients with suspected bacteremia that produced a positive blood culture for Serratia spp., six Serratia rubidaea and five Serratia marcescens. The S. rubidaea were isolated from three neonates and were concentrated in the neonatal intensive care unit between June and July 2015. All patients were severely ill and one patient died. Whole genome sequencing confirmed that six Nepalese S. rubidaea sequences were identical and indicative of a single-source outbreak. Conclusions Despite extensive screening we were unable to identify the source of the outbreak, but the inferred timeline suggested that these atypical infections were associated with the aftermath of two massive earthquakes. We speculate that deficits in hygienic behavior, combined with a lack of standard infection control, in the post-earthquake emergency situation contributed to these unusual Serratia spp. outbreaks.

Introductions: Congenital malformations need to be identified and intervened early to save lives and prevent sufferings. Many birth defects have well known incidence/prevalence rates but these have not been studied thoroughly in the local population of Nepal. The current study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of congenital malformation at birth, to classify them systematically, to study risk factors and immediate outcome of the newborn babies afflicted. Methods: This was a cross sectional study. All newly delivered babies were examined carefully for congenital malformation and when detected, the parents were interviewed in detail. Results: Over the 10 months of study period 7,922 babies were delivered out of which 90 were stillborn. The number of babies with malformations was 64 (0.81%). Polydactyli was observed in 12 (19%) babies whereas cleft lip/palate and malformations of ears in seven (11%) each. Musculoskeletal system was affected in 31 (35%) cases and craniofacial in 18 (21%). Nine (14%) mothers had bad obstetric history and eight (13%) had illness/medication during pregnancy. Conclusions: Congenital malformation is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Patan hospital. Our findings support many established thoughts like higher rates in stillbirths but also challenge some age-old beliefs like higher rates in babies born to older mothers. Keywords: adverse outcome, congenital malformation, perinatal mortality, risk factor

Introduction: Perinatal asphyxia is a common problem with the incidence varying from 0.5 – 2% of live births. It is an important cause of neonatal mortality and is a frequent cause for admission to neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The aims of this study were to find out the clinical and biochemical alterations in different stages of HIE. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective hospital based observational study performed during the period of February, 2010 to January, 2011. Results: Sixty inborn neonates satisfying the criteria for birth asphyxia requiring admission to pediatric wards and neonatal intensive care unit were studied. There were 13(21.7%) cases of mild hypoxemic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), 27 (45%) moderate and 20 (33.3%) severe HIE. Seizures 41(68.3%), respiratory distress 32(53.3%) and shock 29(48.3%) were predominant manifestations observed. Meconium aspiration syndrome was found in 13.3% of neonates. Hypoglycemia 11(18.3%), hypocalcaemia 7(11.7%), hyponetremia 14 (23.3%) and hyperbilirubinemia 9(15%) were associated biochemical abnormalities. Twenty cases (33.3%) had acute renal failure and they belonged to moderate and severe stages of HIE. Seizures (P< 0.001), respiratory distress (P=0.015), shock (P