As many as 16 children died in the state-run Baba Raghav Das Medical College (BRDMC) Hospital on Thursday, taking the toll so far to 415 in just one month.
With this, the death toll in the hospital has touched 1,269 so far this year.
Confirming the fresh cases of deaths, newly-appointed principal of the college Dr PK Singh told PTI, "On August 30 till midnight as many as 59 children were admitted. Of them, 13 died. As of now, there are 354 children undergoing treatment."
He said that since flood waters were receding, chances of infection were high.
"We advise parents to give boiled water and milk to children. Giving stale food should be avoided. Special focus should be on maintaining cleanliness and instead of rushing to the BRD Medical College, parents should first take their children to the nearest government hospital or primary health center which are closer to their residence," Singh said.
Hospital officials said that the children who came here were generally underweight, suffering from chronic pneumonia or were cases of premature delivery.
Giving a month-wise break-up, Singh said the toll in January was 152, in February 122, March 159, April 123, May 139, June 137 and 128 in July.
The principal said children with different complications and ailments arising out of premature delivery, being underweight, jaundice, pneumonia, infectious diseases and encephalitis were admitted to the hospital, mostly in very serious condition. A lot many lives could be saved if the patients are brought here earlier, Singh said.
