Browsing by Author "Kapoor, Anju"
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Publication Assessment of Foetal Malnutrition Using CAN Score and its Comparison With Various Anthropometric Parameters and Proportionality Indices(Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS), 2021) Kapoor, Anju; Awasthi, Sukarn; Yadav, Ankit; Tiwari, ShraddhaAbstract: Introduction: Nutritional status at birth is assessed by using various anthropometric parameters and proportionality indices. Present study aims to assess the utility of CAN score in identifying fetal malnutrition (FM) which would have been missed by using anthropometry alone. We also aim at re-evaluating the cut-off value of CAN score for our population. Methods: Nutritional status of 411 neonates was assessed using anthropometric parameters, proportionality indices and CAN score. Effectiveness of each parameter in detecting FM was assessed and compared with CAN score cutoff < 25 as well as new found cut-off < 27 using appropriate statistical tools. Result: Mean (SD) of all anthropometric parameters were significantly less in FM group (p < 0.001). CAN score identified FM in 18.5% (76 / 411) babies whereas weight for GA identified 8.8% (36 / 411) babies as SGA and 91.2% as AGA (375 / 411); 12.3% (46 / 375) babies identified as AGA, were found to be malnourished by CAN score. Similar trend is seen with other parameters too. ROC curves show that AUC for birth weight, mid arm circumference, body mass index, Ponderal index, length and MAC / HC for determining FM was 0.891, 0.855, 0.837, 0.761, 0.749 and 0.714 in decreasing order. Birth weight with cut-off 2300 grams in a term newborn has maximum AUC making it the best marker for predicting FM. Present study identifies more FM by using modified CAN score cut off < 27 instead of < 25, 32.11% (132 / 411) and 18.5% (76 / 411) respectively.Publication Knowledge, Attitude and Socio-cultural Beliefs of Adolescent Girls towards Menstruation Authors(Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS), 2016) Kapoor, Anju; Khari, SmritiAbstract: Introduction: Knowledge regarding physiology of menstruation and hygienic practices are poor in adolescent girls. Deep rooted social beliefs make their attitude more negative. Material and Methods: In a hospital based cross sectional study, one hundred adolescent girls who have attained menarche were interviewed with a pre-validated semi-structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge, experiences, effect of mother’s education on menstrual hygienic practices and factors affecting their positive and negative attitude. Results: Mean age of menarche was 13.28 (SD ± 1.42) years. Mothers were the first informant to 56% girls. Only 11% girls knew that menstruation is a normal biological phenomenon and 28% girls were mentally prepared before menarche. Readymade pads were being used by 46% girls. Most girls were forced to follow various restrictions during menstruation. Maternal education was significantly associated with use of readymade pads (p-value 0.031). Significant positive correlation was seen between premenarchal preparedness to pleasantness (r = 0.3215; p = 0.001) while negative correlation was found between preparedness to secrecy (r = -0.1549; p = 0.124), annoyance (r = -0.1421; p = 0.158) and worrying thoughts (r = - 0.2074; p = 0.038). Negative correlation was also seen between years of experience with menses to secrecy and worrying thought (r = -0.0162; p = 0.872 and r = -0.1033; p = 0.864 respectively). Conclusion: There is significant lack of knowledge, poor hygienic practices and negative attitude among adolescent girls that needs to be addressed by educating them and their mothers.Publication Neonatal Foot Length as Surrogate Marker for Prematurity: A Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study in Central India(Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS), 2020) Kapoor, Anju; Soni, Triloki NathAbstract: Introduction: Neonatal mortality is higher in premature babies, more so when identification and intervention is delayed. This study was aimed to find out the effectiveness of foot length measurement, a simple and inexpensive method, for identifying premature babies at birth. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 514 hospital born neonates. Their foot length, birth weight, length and head circumference were measured and compared with gestational age assessed by new Ballard score. Results: Amongst 514 newborns, 71.6% were term and 28.4% were preterm. Mean foot length in term and pre-term babies were 7.30 cm (SD + 0.39) and 6.81 cm (SD + 0.52) respectively (p value < 0.0001). Pearson's correlation coefficient between gestational age as assessed by new Ballard score and foot length, birth weight, length and head circumference all showed significant positive correlation in the decreasing order [maximum with foot length (r = 0.802)]. Linear regression analysis for gestational age with foot length also had highest coefficient of determination R2 = 0.760 (P < 0.001). Foot length with cut-off < 6.83 cm has higher AUC (Area Under Curve) and is a good marker for predicting prematurity with a sensitivity of 94.57%, and a specificity of 41.99%. Conclusions: Foot length measurement can be a good surrogate marker to predict prematurity as significant correlation is seen between it and gestational age assessed by new Ballard score.