Chennai: Obstetric interventions such as administering steroids and magnesium sulphate to pregnant women at risk of preterm labour, combined with periodic follow-up by paediatricians, can reduce neonatal mortality, experts said at the 43rd annual convention of the National Neonatology Forum of India held at Mahabalipuram on Saturday.
At NEOCON 2024, the three-day conference which began on Friday, experts discussed ‘India's Newborn Action Plan' and outlined several strategies to prevent infection and ensure early detection and management of birth defects.
Senior paediatricians from the US, UK, and Norway, along with senior paediatricians from across India, spoke about challenges and advancements in neonatology. Neonatal mortality — the death of an infant within the first 28 days — in India is 29 deaths per 1,000 live births, a substantial decrease from 52 in 1990.
While this is commendable, the rate of decline in NMR has slowed compared to infant and under-five mortality rates, said Dr A T Arasar Seeralar, organising secretary of the conference.
"Up to 6 of 10 such deaths occur within the first week of life, indicating the critical need for early intervention."
Prematurity and low birth weight account for 46% of neonatal deaths, but most are preventable. Administering magnesium sulphate can delay preterm labour for a short period, typically 24-48 hours.
"This can be crucial in allowing time for the administration of corticosteroids to the mother and help improve the baby's lung development and reduce risk of respiratory distress syndrome," said Dr Deepa Hariharan, who chaired the CME committee.
Magnesium sulphate has been shown to reduce brain inflammation and excitotoxicity (an excess of certain neurotransmitters that cause damage to nerve cells) in the preterm brain, she added.