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Association to train health workers on neonatal services

Association to train health workers on neonatal services

By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Neonatal
Abuja, March 13, 2019 (NAN) Dr Biodun Ogungbo, a Neurosurgeon with a private hospital in Abuja, said the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) maternal child group would train health workers to provide neonatal services to curb deaths.
Ogungbo, who is a member of the group, told the interview the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday that the training was informed by the increase of neonatal deaths in the country.
“The Maternal Child group of ANPA would be training providers on ways to resuscitate newborns with breathing difficulties within the delivery room.
“We would be performing the Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) training to 100 potential trainees such as physicians, nurse midwives, traditional birth attendants and or personnel involved in mother- baby care in the delivery room.
“The training is scheduled for April 9th to 10th in Abuja 2019 at the National Hospital Abuja.
“The HBB is an evidence-based educational programme to teach neonatal resuscitation techniques in resource-limited areas.
“The objective of HBB is to train staff in developing countries in the essential skills of newborn resuscitation, with the goal of having at least one person who is skilled in neonatal resuscitation at the birth of every baby.
“These life-saving techniques include infant stimulation, suction of the nose and mouth when appropriate, and the use of a bag-valve-mask to improve breathing and to circulate oxygen.
“HBB is the first module in the Helping Babies Survive (HBS) suite of evidence-based educational programmes by the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP),’’ he said.
He said that studies indicated that HBB can reduce neonatal mortality on the first day by up to 47 per cent.
He said new born babies with brain injury due to oxygen deprivation can develop cerebral palsy, adding that such children do not achieve their full potential in most cases.
He said high number of children under the age of five to 21 died daily, mainly from some preventable causes of brain injuries.
He said one of those preventable causes was lack of oxygen at birth called by birth asphyxia.
“A 2008 bulletin from the World Health Organisation estimated that 900,000 total infants die each year from birth asphyxia, making it a leading cause of death for newborns.
“Typically pregnancy would be uneventful and all perfect till the time of delivery when the baby would then come out blue in the face, asking for a breath.
“Traditionally, a smack or two will elicit a shrill cry from the baby and all will be well. Sometimes, the baby will remain silent not breathing.
“If nothing was done as a matter of urgency, the baby has a high chance of dying or becoming brain injured,” Ogungbo said. (NAN)
OEO/OYE/MST
Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Prolonged pregnancy could lead to neonatal death – Expert

Prolonged pregnancy could lead to neonatal death – Expert warns
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Pregnancy
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Dr Victor Fayomi, a General Medical Practitioner with a private hospital in Abuja, has warned that prolonged pregnancy could increase the risk of stillbirth and neonatal death, if not properly managed.
Fayomi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja that both mother and baby have their share of possible health risks.
According to him, once a woman carries her pregnancy to 42 completed weeks, the pregnancy is termed a prolonged pregnancy.
“Pregnancy is said to be `term’ between the gestational age of 37 to 42 weeks. It is considered early term at 37 weeks, full term at about 39 weeks and late term at 41 weeks.
“Other things being equal, the joy that comes with carrying a pregnancy to term is having a baby who is naturally endowed to live life outside the comfort of the womb without much challenge.
“With five to 10 per cent of pregnancies ending up being prolonged, it suffices to say that the cause is unknown. However, a number of risk factors have been associated with it,” he said.
Fayomi further said that once a pregnancy was prolonged, there could be decrease in blood flow to the placenta causing placental insufficiency.
He said the baby may pass meconium (baby’s first stools, usually greenish or black) in the womb which the baby may aspirate it into the lungs.
Fayomi added that there could also be an increase in the incidence of birth injuries to the baby, prolonged labour, foetal malnutrition and intrauterine growth retardation.
He said that the mother was prone to increased psychological stress and anxiety, obstructed labour, trauma to her genitals, instrumental vaginal delivery, postpartum haemorrhage and infection.
“’Preterm pregnancies births (premature babies) have their array of health challenges.
“Babies delivered following prolonged pregnancies also have a number of health risks to battle with. Women who carry prolonged pregnancies are also faced with some risks to their health too.
“The causes of prolonged pregnancy can be associated with high maternal weight or body mass index, advanced maternal age (pregnant women above 35 years) and mother being a baby born from a prolonged pregnancy herself,” the doctor said.
Fayomi said babies usually have lower than normal amount of subcutaneous fat which often makes the skin wrinkle, adding that skin may be loose, flaky and dry.
He said that a decreased foetal movement could be noticed before delivery and also reduction in uterine size due to reduced amniotic fluid volume.
Fayomi however advised expectant mothers between 40 to 41 weeks of pregnancy to ensure they were properly monitored by a doctor.
“It is usually done through foetal movement monitoring with the use of a `kick chart’ which the woman is also taught how to use,’’ he added.
He listed other methods for monitoring as electronic foetal monitoring, obstetric scan for measurement of amniotic fluid volume, biophysical profile and doppler flow study.
“From 41 completed weeks, the maternal and foetal risks commence, these with other factors like findings from foetal monitoring, past obstetric history, the obstetrician’s clinical judgment will come into play.
“These will counsel and prepare an expectant mother for her baby’s delivery.
“The first approach is for an `induction of labour’, and where and when indicated, a Ceaserean section.
Fayomi also advised women who experience prolonged pregnancy to avoid traditional methods. (NAN)
OEO/ELLA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola