Priorities in neonatal care in developing countries
Ho, N.K.
Singapore Medical Journal 37(4): 424-427
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-5675 PMID: 8993147 Document Number: 464506
Levels of perinatal and neonatal mortality have declined in the developed countries following advances in neonatal care, the introduction of high technology, and better knowledge of the pathophysiology of newborn infants. Organized and skilled delivery room care together with risk identification and the efficient transport of sick infants, including in utero fetal transfer, also contribute to the reduction in mortality. However, in developing countries constrained by limited financial and human resources, the nature and delivery of neonatal care must be prioritized. Meaningful perinatal data must first be collected to define the problems of each country related to the monitoring, auditing, evaluation, and planning of perinatal health care services. Definitions and terminology in perinatology should be standardized to facilitate comparative study. Pediatricians should be well trained in the resuscitation and stabilization of newborn infants, infections should be prevented in the nursery, warming devices must be made available to maintain the body temperature of newborns, blood glucose should be monitored, and antenatal corticosteroids provided to women in premature labor. In countries where neonatal jaundice is prevalent, proper and effective management to prevent kernicterus is essential. Finally, a simple assisted ventilatory device such as nasal continuous positive airway pressure is also useful.