Differences in postnatal hypothermia in newborns immediately after birth in different health care settings in India

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Manisha Bhandankar and Dharmapuri Vidyasagar

KLES University, India

: J Womens Health, Issues Care

Abstract

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Statement of the Problem: Immediately after birth it is crucial for the newborns to maintain normal body temperature for successful transitional adaptation. Postnatal thermal adaptation of newborns requires essential newborn care to be provided by health care professionals and close family members of the baby. The number of institutional deliveries has increased in India in the last decade but has not much altered the neonatal mortality rate. Provision of essential newborn care through education and training is of paramount importance to this effect. This study shows how the postnatal thermal adaptation differs for newborns delivered in tertiary care hospital and primary health centers in India. Methodology: We continuously recorded and plotted changes in both abdominal and sole skin temperature from birth to 12 hours of life in term newborns delivered vaginally. Findings: Neonates are under significant cold stress when delivered in primary health centres due to limited resources and lack of awareness among health professionals.

Biography

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Manisha Bhandankar is Professor of Pediatrics with special interest in Neonatology at KLES University, Belgavi, and Karnataka, India. She is actively involved in training health care workers from resource limited settings to provide essential newborn care in India. Her research work in “Transitional adaptation in Newborn delivered in Tertiary care hospital and in Primary Health center in India” has contributed to understand the issues involved in care of newborns in various level of health set ups in India. Her recent work involved study of “Determinants of Antenatal and postnatal maternal and newborn care service utilization and contributing factors” She is also involved in various Perinatal Health Education Programs in India.