Muralikrishna Thummakomma1, P. Ramesh2, Madhusudhan Reddy3, Banoth Balram4
BACKGROUND
Most deaths in post-neonatal, under-5 children are due to infectious causes with the three major killers being diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria. The aim of the study is to evaluate the utility of implementing Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) algorithm in reducing the morbidity and mortality in infants of 0-2 months. To check the validity and reliability of IMNCI algorithm for young infants (0-2 months).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
It is a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Paediatrics of MGM Hospital, Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, India, during the period of January 2013 to September 2014. The subjects were enrolled as and when they came in contact with study team, in both the Outpatient Department (OPD), PICU and SNCU so that illnesses of varying severity could be evaluated. A total of 500 infants are included in the study.
RESULTS
In the present study, the sensitivity of IMNCI criterion in correctly identifying sick infants of age 0-2 months is 90.02%, specificity is 63.10%, positive predictive value being 92.44% and negative predictive value is 55.79%.
CONCLUSIONS
IMNCI ensures the combined treatment of the major childhood illnesses emphasising prevention of disease through immunisation and improved nutrition. Based on the above study results, sensitivity of the present study is 90.2% indicating it is an effective tool for early identification and referral of sick young infants.
