Recent developments for neonatal health in developing countries

Abstract

Interventions to reduce neonatal mortality are at the cutting edge of child survival programmes. Neonatal deaths account for up to two-thirds of infant deaths in developing countries. The common causes of death are preterm birth, intrauterine growth retardation, perinatal infection, impaired metabolic adaptation, and asphyxia. Effective interventions before delivery include food and micronutrient supplementation, malaria protection, and immunization against tetanus and perhaps pneumococcal infection in future. Many cost-effective intrapartum interventions, such as partography and magnesium sulphate for eclampsia, are not routinely implemented. Likewise, resuscitation, prevention and treatment of hypothermia, promotion of early and exclusive breastfeeding, and rapid treatment of neonatal infection with injectable antibiotics given by primary care workers are cost-effective postnatal interventions. The challenge is to get these interventions into policy and practice. Going to scale must involve partnerships between government, international agencies and non-government organizations. Interventions to reduce neonatal mortality are at the cutting edge of child survival programmes. Neonatal deaths account for up to two-thirds of infant deaths in developing countries. The common causes of death are preterm birth, intrauterine growth retardation, perinatal infection, impaired metabolic adaptation, and asphyxia. Effective interventions before delivery include food and micronutrient supplementation, malaria protection, and immunization against tetanus and perhaps pneumococcal infection in future. Many cost-effective intrapartum interventions, such as partography and magnesium sulphate for eclampsia, are not routinely implemented. Likewise, resuscitation, prevention and treatment of hypothermia, promotion of early and exclusive breastfeeding, and rapid treatment of neonatal infection with injectable antibiotics given by primary care workers are cost-effective postnatal interventions. The challenge is to get these interventions into policy and practice. Going to scale must involve partnerships between government, international agencies and non-government organizations.