Southern States - Karnataka   

`Newborn Week' to be observed from today

By Our Staff Correspondent

DAVANGERE NOV. 14. The Bapuji Child Health Institute, a noted hospital here that has saved thousands of children and cured diseases of serious nature in the past few years, is observing "Newborn Week- 2002" from November 15 to 21. The slogan this year is "Give a breath, save a life''.

Nirmala Kesaree, Director of the institute, and G. Guruprasad, neonatologist and chief convenor of the programme, said neonatal mortality rate (NMR) in the country was 48 per 1,000 live births. In Karnataka it was 42 per 1,000, while in Kerala, it was 12 per 1,000. Kerala, where female literacy and health awareness was higher, had been able to bring down the NMR, they added.

Infant mortality rate (IMR) in the country was 63 per 1,000 live births, Dr. Kesaree and Dr. Guruprasad said, and attributed it to birth asphyxia, respiratory distress, Septicaemia, and congenital malformations. Even after 55 years of independence, nearly 70 per cent of deliveries in the country took place at home and in the hands of unskilled people. Of 70 per cent babies born at home, nearly 35 per cent were attended by untrained relatives, and about 17 per cent by untrained birth attendants (dhais).

Basic steps

During the weeklong programme, doctors will educate those concerned, particularly dhais, about the measures to be taken when a child takes birth, and work to improve birthing practices. Some of the basic steps, such as keeping the baby in clean, warm cloth, wiping it to ensure that it does not develop hypothermia, and clearing the nose and mouth by placing a small pipe or catheter will be taught to mothers, dhais, and others concerned during the programme.

They will also be made aware of various other issues. For instance, if a baby looks limp or weak, all that it needs is gentle stimulation, such as a slap on the sole or a back rub. Noxious stimulation such as sprinkling water, squeezing the chest, or swinging the baby should be avoided.

If these steps are taken, newborn babies will establish sustained and effective breathing, giving them a chance to survive. The first few minutes of life are extremely critical, and damage to the brain at this stage are not reversible.

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