Practical implementation of IMNCI protocols in sick young infants (0-2 months) in Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital,Lahore

Aim:to check the practicality and feasibility of imnci (integrated management of neonatal and childhood illness) protocols,to assess & classify sick young infants (0-2 months) coming to gtth,lahore. settings:the study was conducted in pediatrics outpatient department & emergency of gtth (affiliated with lahore medical & dental college) study design: prospective observational study. methods:total 100 patients were assessed and classified according to imnci protocols. they were treated according to standard guidelines of pediatric unit. patients were admitted where needed,according to departmental guidelines which were used as gold standard. results:results were mapped after filling the imnci performa for sick young infants. it was found that imnci algorithms are very practical in assessment and classification of very severe disease,local bacterial infection and jaundice in children between 0-7 days of life when compared to gold standard. it was also seen that feeding malpractices and low weight are main issues of concern among the children between 1-2 months of age in the surrounding community. the algorithm identifying bacterial infection are with 75.6% sensitivity and 70.3% specificity while jaundice,diarrhea and feeding problems with 90.3%,80.1% and 75.4% sensitivity and 60.5%,77.2% and 82.5% specificity respectively. conclusion:imnci protocols are very helpful and practical for assessment and classification of sick young infants. further research on a larger scale is the need of time to calculate credibility and validity of treatment guidelines.