Seventy one per cent of the infant deaths in Sri Lanka occur within the first 28 days, of which 60% die in the first week and 40% within 24 hours after birth, a new study by the Perinatal Society of Sri Lanka ( PSSL) has revealed. These startling facts were unveiled at a media discussion on fetal and neonatal deaths in Sri Lanka by a panel of experts at the Health Education Bureau on Thursday.
Members of the PSSL said 50% of perinatal deaths were due to complications in and around birth- as well as other factors, the majority of which were due to prematurity , followed by low birth weight and asphyxia. Early neonatal deaths within the first seven days of birth was another challenge they faced , the panel noted.
They further observed that still-birth rates was an area of concern and were significant despite Sri Lanka being on par with the high income countries in this area. Citing recent data from hospital statistics, they said in 2014, the number of still births totalled 1,400.
The panel of specialists comprising obstetricians, paediatricians and community physicians also drew attention to an emerging unhealthy trend where it was observed that more mothers were now opting to have their births by Caesarian Section.
“This is because they perceive it is a gentler method of child birth. We have to educate them on the real facts,” President PSSL, Dr Kapila Jayaratne said.
Obstetrician Prof. Hemantha Senanayake from Lady De Soyza Maternity Clinic and Community Physician Dr. Deepika Attygalle emphasising the benefits of natural birth said the Association was trying to encourage hospitals to allow mothers to be to have preferably a female companion by their bedside during delivery and immediately after to ‘empower them’.
On shortages such as insufficient specialists and specialised units for baby care in government hospitals, as well as lack of formal training for nurses in the neo natal units, he said the PSSL was working towards filling these gaps, with in house training programs for medical officers, nurses, and others involved in baby care.
He said the PSSL was also aiming at developing Centres of High Excellence in leading Teaching Hospitals as models.
“We also hope to use social media like Perinatal care@sky to dispense management of pregnant mothers and new born infants.
A panel of experts at the Centres will manage patients in a peripheral setting lacking facilities of a Teaching Hospital using Information Communication Technology,” he said.