Epidemiological, pathological and microbiological investigation of neonatal lamb mortality in the region of Constantine, Algeria

The magnitude of risk for neonatal mortality (NM) due to non-genetic factors was assessed using data on 5,722 Malpura lambs born during 1991–2016 at ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan. The association of non-genetic factors influencing lamb mortality was obtained by odds ratio (OR). The overall annual NM was 4.07% with around 3 times higher in hebdomadal (3.15%) than post-hebdomadal (0.93%) phase. In comparison to lambs with >3.50 kg birth weight, the OR varied from 2.03 (birth weight 3.01–3.50 kg) to 19.29 (birth weight <2.00 kg). Neonatal mortality was significantly higher (6.51%) in lambs born to younger ewes (up to 2 yr). The parity of dam had significant effect on NM with maximum mortality in lambs born to ewes in 1st (5.59%) parity. Dam’s weight at lambing revealed significantly maximum (32.35%) mortality in lambs born to ewes with <20.0 kg body weight. In comparison to ewes with 30–35 kg body weight at lambing, the OR for NM was maximum (17.28) in lambs born to ewes with <20.0 kg body weight at lambing. The causes of neonatal lamb mortality exhibited predominance of septicaemia/ toxaemia with 25.75% contribution in total deaths followed by neonatal inanition (21.89%), pneumonia (12.02) and enteritis (8.58%). The study revealed that NM during early phase of life was primarily influenced by both lamb and ewe factors. Strategies should be adopted for proper nutritional care of primiparous and weak ewes during gestation, intensive monitoring of lamb and ewes during the neonatal period with ensured colostrum or milk replacer feeding and suitable housing facility to minimize the neonatal losses.

Housing conditions and management practices associated with neonatal lamb mortality in sheep flocks in Norway

Diagnostic investigation of cases of deaths of newborn lambs

Australian Veterinary JournalVolume 36, Issue 7 p. 306-307 NEONATAL MORTALITY IN LAMBS ASSOCIATED WITH GOITRE B. P. Setchell, B. P. SetchellSearch for more papers by this authorD. A. Dickinson, D. A. DickinsonSearch for more papers by this authorA. K. Lascelles, A. K. LascellesSearch for more papers by this authorR. B. Bonner, R. B. BonnerSearch for more papers by this author B. P. Setchell, B. P. SetchellSearch for more papers by this authorD. A. Dickinson, D. A. DickinsonSearch for more papers by this authorA. K. Lascelles, A. K. LascellesSearch for more papers by this authorR. B. Bonner, R. B. BonnerSearch for more papers by this author First published: July 1960 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1960.tb08628.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume36, Issue7July 1960Pages 306-307 RelatedInformation

Genetic parameters for neonatal mortality in lambs at semi-arid region of Rajasthan India

BackgroundBrucella ovis causes a sexually transmitted, infectious disease of domestic sheep characterized by genital lesions and epididymitis in rams, placentitis and rare abortions in ewes, and neonatal mortality in lambs. This study was designed to 1) estimate animal and flock seroprevalence of B. ovis in sheep across Wyoming, USA, and 2) describe epidemiologic risk factors associated with seropositive sheep and flocks. For the animal seroprevalence estimate, 2423 blood samples were collected from sheep on 18 producer-selected operations and a questionnaire about possible risk factors was distributed. For the flock seroprevalence estimate, blood samples from 82 operations were obtained, including samples from the previous 18 operations and 64 additional operations that sent samples to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for diagnostic testing. Categorical risk factors were created based on questionnaires and submission forms. Sera was analyzed using the B. ovis enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsEstimated true animal and flock seroprevalence were 0.53% (95% CI: 0.21–1.01%; 22/2,423) and 22.5% (95% CI: 14–32%; 18/82), respectively. Using Fisher’s exact and Mid-p exact tests to compare apparent seroprevalence with respect to possible risk factors, increased age and breed type were risk factors associated with seropositive sheep, while region and large flock size were risk factors associated with seropositive flocks.ConclusionsResults from this study suggest few sheep have been exposed to B. ovis, but many flocks contain at least one seropositive animal. Each region in Wyoming contained at least one seropositive animal and flock, emphasizing the importance of disease-free documentation before purchasing new sheep. Aged sheep (≥ 6 years of age) had the highest seroprevalence among age groups; hence, we propose the separation of young rams from older rams to help reduce disease spread outside the breeding season. Wool breeds (Rambouillet and Merino) may be less susceptible to B. ovis infection given they had the lowest animal seroprevalence of the breed types, and large flocks (> 100 breeding rams) had the highest seroprevalence of the flock size categories, likely due to more intensive management strategies that can contribute to the introduction and persistence of B. ovis infection in sheep and flocks.

Introduction: Neonatal mortality is the main barrier to reduction of infant mortality in West Bengal. Home based simple newborn care by mothers in the neonatal period can reduce neonatal mortality. The practices of mothers in this aspect in Nadia are not known. A cross sectional survey of mothers of Nadia with the objectives of describing their neonatal care practices, determine factors associated with it. Methods: Nadia district has a population of 5 million and estimated pregnancies of 74000. We used PPS method cluster sampling technique. We needed 575 mothers in 23 clusters assuming 52% prevalence at 5% precision, 95% Confidence interval and design effect 1.48.Structured questionnaire was used for data collection on different socio-demographic and health system related factors and mothers’ newborn care practices. Data was analysed using Epi info 3.5 software. Results: Among 575 mothers, 518 (90.1%) kept the neonates cord stump clean. Delaying the first bath of the neonate was least practiced 292 (50.8%). Only 39 (6.8%) mothers had all safe practices. Living below poverty line (Adjusted OR 5.2, C.I. 3.4-7.8), not registering in the first trimester (Adjusted OR 2.6, C.I 1.6-4.2), maternal education not more than secondary level (Adjusted OR 2.3, C.I. 1.3-3.9) and having home delivery(Adjusted OR 3.2, C.I. 1.5-6.8) were significant factors for non-adoption of at least five safe practices. The overall neonatal morbidity rate was 57 per 1000 live births (33 /575) and neonatal mortality rate was 10 per 1000 live birth (6/575). Median contacts with the health system in the mothers having unsafe practices was 6 (range 0-11) compared to 10(range 1-11) in the other group. Out of 33 sick neonates 26(78.8%) were from mothers with unsafe practices. Conclusion: Poor and uneducated were unaware of safe newborn care practices especially for hypothermia. They had more neonatal sickness and deaths. They had less contact with the health system. There is a need to reach out to such vulnerable group and improve their coverage in existing facilities. Training of ASHA in Home based newborn care and educating mothers can be cost effective option for this section to save neonates by promoting best neonatal practices. Keywords: Risk factors, Unsafe practices, Neonatal morbidity, ASHA, Rural Nadia, West Bengal

Using climatic data from 1991 to 2016 recorded at Avikanagar, wind chill index (WCI) was calculated for each day during winter (December–February) coinciding with major lambing season. The WCI (kcal/m2/h) was categorized as no chill (<300.0), low (<300.1–350.0), moderate (350.1–400.0), high (400.1–450.0) and extreme (>450.1) and the neonatal lambs death (857) in a total of 2257 days (December–February of each year) were considered to observe the effect of WCI. The overall annual neonatal lamb mortality was 5.85%. Over the years daily WCI revealed a significant increase in number of extreme chill days (WCI > 400.1 kcal/m2/h) since December 2003. The overall proportion of neonatal death ranged from 2.10% (WCI < 300 kcal/m2/h) to 69.34% ((WCI > 400.1 kcal/m2/h). The climatic data showed that out of total days, majority of days (64.99%) covered were of high to extreme chill in nature (WCI > 400.1 kcal/m2/h). The daily rate of neonatal mortality found to possess a positive and linear relation with WCI and ranged from 0.25 lamb death/day (WCI < 300 kcal/m2/h) to 0.46 lamb death/day (WCI > 450.1 kcal/m2/h). The entities responsible for exposure-inanition syndrome (EIS, debility, exposure, inanition) had positive relation with WCI. The contribution of EIS in overall neonatal mortality ranged from 29.08 (WCI 300.1–350.0 kcal/m2/h) to 42.00% (WCI > 450.1 kcal/m2/h). The analysis suggested requirement of proper shelter management for neonatal lambs during extreme climate.

The sheep farming has economic and sociocultural importance in semi-arid regions worldwide. Of the total of 1.2 billion sheep in the world, 0.4 are found in semi-arid regions. In this review, we have discussed the main risk factors for neonatal lamb mortality and its association with the prevailing environmental conditions of tropical semi-arid regions. Over the last decades, the average mortality rate of newborn lambs remained relatively constant (~15%) around the world. This rate is reported to be higher (Up to 30%) in small-scale sheep farming systems from developing countries. Overall, the main risk factors of neonatal mortality include low birth weight, dystocia, adverse weather conditions, inadequate milk, or colostrum supply, competition between siblings in multiple births, and poor expression of maternal behaviour. In tropical semi-arid regions, recent findings revealed that newborn lambs from hair coat sheep breeds are less vigorous to perform the first suckling when even exposed to moderate cold conditions (18–20°C). On the other hand, the high radiant heat load in these areas can also challenge the thermoregulation of ewes and newborn lambs, especially if they are kept in areas without protection against direct short-wave solar radiation. Under such circumstances, newborn lambs were reported to be hyperthermic. The heat stress as risk factor for neonatal lamb mortality is a topic that deserves more investigation, particularly in tropical semi-arid areas, where is expected to be drier and hotter as consequence of rapid advances in climate change.

Invited review: Improving neonatal survival in small ruminants: science into practice

BackgroundEthiopia is among the countries with the highest neonatal mortality with the rate of 37 deaths per 1000 live births. In spite of many efforts by the government and other partners, non-significant decline has been achieved in the last 15 years. Thus, identifying the determinants and causes are very crucial for policy and program improvement. However, studies are scarce in the country in general and in Jimma zone in particular.ObjectiveTo identify the determinants and causes of neonatal mortality in Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.MethodsA prospective follow-up study was conducted among 3463 neonates from September 2012 to December 2013. The data were collected by interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS V.20.0 and STATA 13. Verbal autopsies were conducted to identify causes of neonatal death. Mixed-effects multilevel logistic regression model was used to identify determinants of neonatal mortality.ResultsThe status of neonatal mortality rate was 35.5 (95%CI: 28.3, 42.6) per 1000 live births. Though significant variation existed between clusters in relation to neonatal mortality, cluster-level variables were found to have non-significant effect on neonatal mortality. Individual-level variables such as birth order, frequency of antenatal care use, delivery place, gestation age at birth, premature rupture of membrane, complication during labor, twin births, size of neonate at birth and neonatal care practice were identified as determinants of neonatal mortality. Birth asphyxia (47.5%), neonatal infections (34.3%) and prematurity (11.1%) were the three leading causes of neonatal mortality accounting for 93%.ConclusionsThis study revealed high status of neonatal mortality in the study area. Higher-level variables had less importance in determining neonatal mortality. Individual level variables related to care during pregnancy, intra-partum complications and care, neonatal conditions and the immediate neonatal care practices were identified as determinant factors. Improving antenatal care, intra-partum care and immediate neonatal care are recommended.

Risk factors associated with neonatal mortality in LAMBS: An overview

Factors associated with neonatal lamb mortality

Enhancing, and protecting, maternal and neonatal health care

Madam:— Hypothyroidism (simple goitre) can be caused by an inadequate intake of iodine or by the presence in the diet of goitrogens which interfere with the utilization of iodine by the thyroid gland. Outbreaks of goitre occur more commonly in the South Island than in the North, usually as a result of wintering pregnant ewes on brassica crops. (1) Andrews, E.D. and Sinclair, D.P. 1962. Goitre and neonatal mortality in lambs. Proc. N.Z. Six. Anim. Prod., 22: 123–132. [Google Scholar]