By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The absence of paediatricians during childbirth is severely affecting the lives of newborns, with many falling victim to birth asphyxia. This condition is particularly prevalent among babies who do not cry immediately after birth. Alarmingly, there has been a noticeable increase in such cases. Currently, 11 newborns who failed to cry at birth are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at PMCH. Similarly, four such cases are being treated at IGIMS, and 12 at Patna AIIMS.
According to doctors at these hospitals, eight to ten newborns who do not cry immediately after delivery are brought in for treatment daily. Of these, 15 to 20 cases are admitted for intensive care each month. However, only 70% of newborns admitted with birth asphyxia survive.
Dr I.S. Thakur, Superintendent of PMCH, emphasised that immediate treatment by paediatricians after delivery could prevent many cases from requiring NICU admission. He noted that the majority of these cases come from rural areas, where paediatricians are often unavailable during deliveries.
IGIC paediatrician Dr N.K. Agarwal highlighted the negligible presence of paediatricians in rural and private hospitals. He stated that if paediatricians were present at the time of delivery, many cases of birth asphyxia could be managed effectively, saving lives and preventing lifelong disabilities. In their absence, cases are often referred to tertiary care hospitals, sometimes too late to prevent permanent brain or organ damage.
Dr Bhupendra Singh, Head of the Department of Paediatrics at PMCH, explained that when a newborn does not cry after birth, they are gently turned upside down and patted on the buttocks and waist to stimulate crying. Failure to cry indicates that oxygen is not reaching the brain, which can lead to severe complications or even death.
Birth asphyxia, also known as perinatal or neonatal asphyxia, occurs when oxygen fails to reach the baby’s brain immediately after birth. This lack of oxygen leads to an increase in acid levels in the body, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. Immediate medical intervention is crucial to prevent life-threatening outcomes.
