Journal of Neonatal Biology

Abstract

Newborn Survival in India – Challenges and Priorities for Andhra Pradesh

Usha Rani T, Venkateswara Rao Jampana and Vasudeva Murali Machiraju

Around a quarter of global neonatal deaths. According to Sample Registration Survey (SRS) 2009 report neonatal mortality contributes to about two thirds of all infant deaths and about half of all under five deaths in the country. The state of Andhra Pradesh has a Neonatal mortality rate of 33/1000 live births. The major challenge for the state of Andhra Pradesh has been a stagnating Infant Mortality Rate at 53/1000 Live Births (National Family Health Survey-3), 70% of which is contributed by Neonatal Mortality. The common causes responsible for newborn deaths are sepsis (50%), prematurity & low birth weight (35%) and birth asphyxia (23%). Maternal healths in general and perinatal care in particular are important determinants of neonatal survival. Maternal malnutrition, inadequate antenatal care, high proportion of unsupervised home deliveries, suboptimal care during institutional deliveries and high proportion of low birth weight newborns are other factors responsible for high neonatal mortality. We need to have a well designed programme with specific objectives and timeframes with a fast track approach to improve the New born survival. A well designed package of interventions, ranging from the immediate priority of providing quality neonatal services to a long term approach targeted to improve the health status of the girl child is the need of the hour. Improving quality of life, provision of universal access to healthcare, strengthening health care systems, creating perinatal/neonatal centres of excellence in all Government medical colleges are highly essential to improve the newborn care. Effective utilization of Information technology to network peripheral health centres with tertiary centres will facilitate mentoring and supportive supervision for better outcomes