A retrospective study was done of 856 cases of encephalitis admitted at JIPMER, Pondicherry from 1979 to 1985. There were two epidemic peaks in 1981 and 1983. The disease occurred mainly in the paediatric age group (80% of the case) with an overall mortality of 52%. A strong seasonal trend was also seen, a major peak in the rainy season (October & November) and a small peak in summer. Males were affected more than females (2 : 1.1); however mortality was equal in the sexes. The disease was found to be a leading cause of death in the hospital (5.5% of all deaths) more so in the paediatric population (13.5 % of all paediatric deaths). The various epidemiologic factors are discussed.

One thousand seven hundred and twenty five singleton new born infants were samples for anthropometrics measurements like birth weight, recumbent length, crown – rump length, circumferences of head, chest, mid – arm and calf and bony- width measurements of humerus, femur and pelvis. All the measurements were taken within 24 hours after birth. The newborns were divided into five groups according to birth weight (g) up to 2000-(A). 2001- 2500-(B), 2501- 3000-(C), 3001 – 3500 (D) and 3500 and above-(E). It was seen that there was a good relationship between birth weight and other anthropometrics parameters in newborn babies. The data showed that increase in mean birth weight followed a linear model in relation to all other parameters studied. It is suggested that the criteria of low birth weight for Indian babies should be fixed at 2000g or less (A). It was shown that the incidence of respiratory distress, feeding problems and mortality rate were maximum in babies in group (A) and were relatively less among babies belonging to groups (B), (C) (D) and (E). Low birth weight babies belonging to groups (B), (C), (D) and (E) were given domiciliary care by the mothers with guidance of lady health visitors and doctors of the research team.

174 children of 9 to 23 months age from different localities of Surat city (Gujrat) were studied for sero-conversion by estimation of pre and post measles immunization H.I. antibody titres. 71 children and detectable H.I. antibody titres (16). Sero – conversion rate was 74.7 % in children having detectable H.I. antibodies. Increasing age, higher levels of H.I. antibody titres and prolonged interval between immunization and collection of post immunization blood sample had negative effects on sero – conversion. There was no effect of malnutrition and Socio- economic status on sero- conversion is discussed. The filter paper technique though simple and very suitable for field conditions, has a tendency to under report the sero – conversion after measles immunization.

Three hundred sixty nine children under six years of age were examined every month by house to house visits in Barain village of Chiraigaon Block, varanasi. The prevalence of diarrhoea was 75.1%. Maximum prevalence of diarrhoea occurred between the ages of 1-2 years, the mean age being 2.4 years SD+ 1.43. No sex differences were observed (M.F = 1.04: 1). Maximum prevalence of diarrhoea was observed in the summer months followed by the rainy season (p.001). 81.8 % cases were from the high-income group (per capita monthly income greater than Rs.100). Diarrhoea was not related to literacy, type of family, caste and socio-economic status of the parents (p 0.05). The mean duration before reporting to a health center was 5 days + S.D 1.96. Dehydration was observed in 10.9% episodes, the maximum (84.5%) episodes being of mild type. Camphor and Asfoetida were the commonly used home remedies. Salt sugar solution of variable composition, and soda water with sugar and lemon were the commonly used fluids at home. 99.4% mothers continued to breast feed their children during diarrhoea.

A community-based study was conducted in two urban localities of Delhi. 309 “at risk� under- five children from 616 families belonging mainly to the low socio- economic group were studied for the utilization of health care facilities (HCF). About 35% of the *at risk * children availed of HCF from non- governmental sources. The major reasons for non- utilization of government HCF were prolonged waiting time, non- availability of medicines, unsatisfactory hospital treatment and unsuitable hospital timings.