Preterm births leading cause of deaths among one-month old infants: experts

Proper care of mothers, preterm babies can allay risks posed to infants’ lives, say doctors

KARACHI: Drawing attention towards the rise in the number of premature births in Pakistan, health experts, speaking at a seminar held in relevance to the World Prematurity Day on November 17, said that 21% of the babies born in the country every year are either premature or underweight. The speakers defined premature babies as infants born before the completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy and underweight babies as those weighing less than 2.5 kilogrammes.

The seminar was organised by the Sindh chapter of the Pakistan Paediatrics Association (PPA), in collaboration with UNICEF and a non-governmental organisation, Save the Children, on Sunday.

Addressing the seminar, health experts attributed the growing number of premature births in the country to negligence towards women's health during the course of pregnancy.

They said that expecting mothers developing conditions like high blood pressure or contracting infections like malaria can lead to premature births. It is harmful for the baby and in some cases there are even chances of the babies dying inside the mother's womb, the experts raised concerns.

They also stressed the need for the proper care of premature and underweight babies, stating that they often die if not given adequate care and medical treatment on time.  The speakers particularly outlined breast feeding, vaccination and ensuring proper nutrition of premature babies as ways to reduce the risks of their deaths and them contracting diseases.

Speaking in this regard, Dr Khalid Shafi, a paediatrician, said that an infant born prematurely is at a greater risk of contracting infections and may even face difficulties in breathing and feeding.

These are some of the many complications entailing preterm birth, he said, adding that most common cause of death among one-month old infants is premature birth. But their lives can be saved if they are provided proper medical treatment and care, said Dr Shafi.

Likewise, Dr Adnan Mirza, another paediatrician, spoke about problems related to premature births, laying particular emphasis on Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). It is a common ailment found in premature babies and relates to difficulty in breathing.

Echoing the views of other health experts, Dr Ayaz Hussain from UNICEF said that premature babies require more attention and care. He said that the purpose of the seminar is to introduce people to new and modern findings and ways pertaining to the healthcare of premature babies and to urge the policy makers to provide resources for ensuring good health of children born prematurely.

Concluding the seminar, the experts stressed that medical facilities work collectively towards ensuring the provision of proper healthcare to premature babies and saving their lives.

Sindh PPA General Secretary Dr Khalid Rasool, Dr Qamar Zaman Jamali from Save the Children and others also spoke on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2019.