1 Million Die Premature In India; Philips Holds Awareness Campaign

By Manu Sharma

In India over 35 lakh children are born premature. Proper handling and efficient medical care is the need of the hour. On the occasion of “World Prematurity Day” on November 17, 2013, Philips Innovation Campus observed an awareness session with Dr. Karthik Nagesh on the topic “Developmental care for premature babies” in Bangalore.

Speaking to the event, Dr. Karthik Nagesh, a senior neonatologist and founder, managing trustee of the ‘Foundation for Newborns’ which is a trust that does charity for sick babies and promotes newborn health said, “Two of the deadliest diseases infecting the new born are pneumonia and prematurity. Ever year about 15 million children are born prematurity in India and out of which I million of them die annually. The new born need a good start in life. Hence we should do whatever it takes to reduce the burden and mortality associated with prematurity by spreading awareness on the need for their safe delivery in institutions where they can be cared for.” 

Until three years ago the survival of babies born in just 28 weeks of gestation and weighing less than 1kg was zero. According to industry sources mortality in India accounts for 50% of infant mortality, which has declined to 84/1000 live births. There is no prenatal care for over 50% of pregnant women, and over 80% deliver at home in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. Those women who do deliver in health facilities are unable to receive intensive neonatal care when necessary. 

Anxious parents of pre-term babies can now deal with the difficulties of handling a premature baby if they are well-informed and work closely with care givers.

Dr Karthik says, “Earlier all the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in India were only in a few cities and tier 1 like the Kasturba Medical Hospital, Fortis. Shankara Cancer Foundation and CMC Vellore were equipped. However, now we also see an advent of NICUs to the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as well.” 

However, Level I and Level II neonatal care is unavailable in most health facilities in India, and in most developing countries, he said adding there is a need in India for Level III care units also. The establishment of NICUs in India and developing countries would require space and location, finances, equipment, staff, protocols of care, and infection control measures. Neonatal mortality could be reduced by initially adding NICUs at a few key hospitals.

In fact, India stands second in the world wherein out of every 100 children born 14% are born premature while Malawi in Africa leads with 18.1% per every 100 born.

These tiny patients are at a high risk of a variety of long term developmental complications including motor impairments, cognitive deficits, and behavioral disorders. Although physical and motor disorders may be more noticeable, increasingly more focus is being directed towards the mental health issues that children born prematurely or at low birth weight are at higher risk for attention-deficit, attention-deficit-hyperactive, anxiety, and other emotional disorders.

With emphasis on Integrated development care for neonates, Philips showcased a range of products to promote family centered care including positioning aids like Bendy bumpers, Prone Plus, Snuggle Up, Fredrick T Frog, and Wee pee Diapers for premature neonates.

Demonstratiing the products, Srikanth Muthya, director, Healthcare, Philips, said “Each product is developed with seven evidence based core measures in mind: Healing Environment, Partnering with Families, Positioning & Handling, Protecting Sleep, Minimizing Stress & Pain, Optimizing Nutrition, and Safeguarding Sleep” He also added “Philips has extended beyond basic therapeutic devices and moved into cognitive developmental care for premature new borns.”