On Newborns And Neonatal Sepsis

An expert body led by World Health Organization estimates that of the total 30,000 deaths of Filipino children less than one month old, nearly 8,000 is caused by neonatal sepsis, a serious blood bacterial infection.

Here’s some care and prevention tips from Dr. Howard Sobel, medical officer of the WHO Philippines, for newborns to avoid and resist infection :

* Practice the three cleans when cutting the umbilical cord : clean hands, clean perineal area and clean umbilical area. “The cord should be cut with a sterile blade and kept clean and dry,” Sobel said. He added that birth attendants and those taking care of the infant should observe strict personal hygiene at all times. All equipment that comes in contact with the newborn’s skin must be washed thoroughly. Invasive interventions such as setting up an intravenous lines should be conducted only when and where there is a proven need.

* “Initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour of birth also a recommended preventive measure. The first milk that comes out of a mother’s breast, called colostrum, serves as the newborn’s first immunization. It has high concentrations of nutrients and antibodies that a newborn needs to develop properly and resist infection,” Sobel shared.

* “Newborns should be placed on the mother’s bare abdomen or chest immediately upon birth.” Sobel added. He also shared that immediate skin-to-skin contact of the baby facilitates the “friendly bacteria” from the mother to grow on the infant and prevents unfriendly bacteria from growing.