Healthcare
Reduce the Risks of Neonatal Disorders to Prevent Infant Mortality
I introduce practical tips for reducing the risks of infant mortality.
Significance of Neonatal Disorders for Parents
Bringing a tender soul in the form of a human being to this world is exhilarating and joyful.
However, The process comes with challenges causing anxiety and concerns for parents. Infant mortality can be a nightmare for parents.
Babies are delicate creatures. Our love and admiration attach us to them. Motherly and fatherly feelings allow a protective mechanism naturally.
This story aims to raise awareness among aspirant parents to prepare for this challenging journey. My goal is to highlight lifestyle factors causing neonatal disorders. I offer preventive measures based on reviews.
According to the World Health Organization, neonatal disorders are the number one leading cause of death by income group. We know that these disorders cause disturbances to the bodies of newborns ending in death.
The stats by WHO indicate that neonatal disorders relate to the economy. In my observations, the most affected people are those from low-income families.
While genetic factors play a role in forming these disorders, a significant component of risk factors is associated with lifestyle conditions.
According to this review paper:
“Prematurity, respiratory dysfunction, birth trauma, congenital malformations, neonatal infection and hemolytic disorders of the newborn are some examples of neonatal disorders commonly encountered.”
I aim to highlight lifestyle factors that might cause neonatal disorders and point out preventive measures based on my literature review and personal experience as a parent.
Preventative Measures of Neonatal Disorders
According to the National Institutes of Health, “Often, there are no definite ways to prevent many of the leading causes of infant mortality.
However, there are ways to reduce a baby’s risk.
Researchers continue to study the best ways to prevent and treat the causes of infant mortality and affect the contributors to infant mortality.”
NIH guides using six main categories:
Preventing Birth Defects
Addressing Preterm Birth, Low Birth Weight, and Their Outcomes
Getting Pre-Pregnancy and Prenatal Care
Creating a Safe Infant Sleep Environment
Using Newborn Screening to Detect Hidden Conditions
Based on these points, I’d like to provide a high-level checklist with content that I found in various scientific reviews and clinical papers. These points reflect my understanding and interpretations.
As a caveat, I am not an expert on the topic. Nevertheless, I am strongly interested in exploring the risks as a duty of care. My aim is to create parental awareness, not to provide prescriptive content.
1 — Regular Antenatal Check-Ups
Measuring the health of the mother and the baby is essential to reducing the risk of neonatal disorders.
Numerous tests might give valuable information to practitioners and parents. They serve the purpose of making decisions about pregnancy care.
I’d like to link to a valuable checklist for regular tests from the first visit to the last one provided by the Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby organization.
2 — Balanced Diet During Pregnancy and After Delivery
Balanced diets are essential for everyone.
However, they are extra critical for pregnant women as they need to provide nutrition for themselves and the growing babies in their bodies.
According to the literature, folic acid and iron are the two critical nutrients during pregnancy. Thus, if the daily food intake does not provide adequate nutrients, practitioners might advise supplementing them.
Breastfeeding mothers also need more nutritious food and calories to maintain their health and cater to the needs of babies
3 — Hygiene in Hospitals and at Home
Neonatal infections are well-known.
Obstetricians can minimize them by taking cautions such as monitoring suspicious vaginal discharge during the antenatal period.
According to healthcare consultants, it is critical to avoid dirty dressings during delivery time.
Hygiene at home is also vital for the health of the mother and the baby. Dealing with nappies requires special attention from carers.
Some mothers might need extra help from relatives, neighbors, or community members.
For example, if a mother is unavailable to support the baby, there are nappy services supported by communities.
4 — Timely Immunization for Mother and the Baby
Immunization is a preventative measure for the mother and the baby.
Usually, governments, hospitals, and schools in many countries have plans for families. However, immunization is also the responsibility of individuals.
Timely immunization for mothers and babies is critical to preventing infectious diseases. During the Covid pandemic, families must be extra careful to immunize promptly.
In addition, in some countries, HIV is very concerning. I introduced infectious diseases in a previous article titled Prevent Infectious Diseases in Five Steps.
5 — Avoiding Repeated Pregnancies
According to John Hopkins Medicine, multiple pregnancies can increase the risk for complications.
The article highlights that “over 60 percent of twins and nearly all higher-order multiples are premature (born before 37 weeks). The higher the number of fetuses in the pregnancy, the greater the risk for early birth.”
The resource also points out the common risks, such as congenital disabilities, miscarriage, gestational hypertension, abnormal amounts of amniotic fluid, cesarean delivery, and postpartum hemorrhage.
6 — Genetic Counselling and Blood Groupings
Genetic defects during pregnancy are common.
Even though genetic counseling is costly in many countries, there might be alternative options for underprivileged families in some countries.
Identifying defects timely and addressing them with medical intervention and lifestyle changes can be helpful.
Some hospitals also have the analysis of blood groupings during the antenatal period. But, again, discussing the options with healthcare professionals can be helpful.
7 — Neonatal Disorders Treatment
Different neonatal disorders require specific treatments.
The standard treatments include Utero, radiology, hypothermia, video EEG, and post-birth treatment.
Conclusions and Takeaways
Research into neonatal disorders is widespread globally. When I reviewed the topic, I came across over 283,000 medical reports in PubMed just in English.
Even though the primary focus of research is on healthcare professionals, there are also resources giving insights to parents and carers.
Understanding the risks and taking necessary precautions for parents is critical.
As explained in this paper:“
“The development of the human hemostatic system begins around ten weeks in utero and continues to evolve during childhood. This dynamic period termed developmental hemostasis should be taken into consideration when diagnosing a neonate with disorders of bleeding or thrombosis.”
Strict diets are not suitable for pregnant women.
For example, one of the common conditions that parents need to be aware of is neonatal hypoglycemia.
This paper reviews and discuss multiple theories. The critical point is adequate glucose during this period is essential.
In addition, “respiratory distress is common, affecting up to 7% of all term newborns, and is increasingly common in even modest prematurity. Preventive and therapeutic measures for some of the most common underlying causes are well studied and when implemented can reduce the burden of disease.”
NIH highlights:
“Failure to readily recognize symptoms and treat the underlying cause of respiratory distress in the newborn can lead to short- and long-term complications, including chronic lung disease, respiratory failure, and even death.”
Being a parent is exciting, and many of us desire to have kids. However, parenthood is also a risky journey and requires special attention before, during, and after pregnancy.
As NIH informs, “there are no definite ways to prevent many of the leading causes of infant mortality.” However, it is possible to mitigate some risks with concerted effort.
As neonatal disorders are common, we must be aware of the risks and work with qualified healthcare professionals to mitigate them.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
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Reduce the Risks of Neonatal Disorders to Prevent Infant Mortality.
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Boron, Urolithin, taurine, citrulline malate, biotin, lithium orotate, alpha-lipoic acid, n-acetyl-cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine, CoQ10, PQQ, NADH, TMG, creatine, choline, digestive enzymes, magnesium, hydrolyzed collagen, nootropics, pure nicotine, activated charcoal, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B1, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and other nutrients that might help to improve metabolism and mental health.
Disclaimer: This post does not include health or professional advice. I only documented my reviews, observations, experience, and perspectives to provide information. If you have disease symptoms, please consult your healthcare professionals. Health is the responsibility of individuals.
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