Table 1 Life-saving essential and extra newborn care.
Risk for all babies, especially those who are preterm | Essential care for all babies | Extra care for preterm babies |
|---|---|---|
Hypothermia = low body temperature (increased risk of infections, mortality and for preterm babies increased risk of RDS) | Thermal care Drying, warming, skin-to-skin and delayed bathing | Extra thermal care Kangaroo Mother Care, baby hats, blankets, overhead heaters, incubators |
Cord and skin infections, neonatal sepsis | Hygienic cord and skin care at birth and home care practices Hand washing and other hygiene Delayed cord clamping Consider chlorohexifine | Extra attention to infection prevention and skin care Consider chlorohexidine and emolients |
Hypoglycemia = low blood sugar (Increased risk of impairment or death) | Early and exclusive breastfeeding | Extra support for breastfeeding e.g. expressing and cup or tube feeding, supplemented breast milk if indication Lack of breast milk is a risk factor for necrotizing entereocolitis in preterm babies |
Hypoxia = low oxygen levels (Increased risk of impairment or death for preterm babies, higher risk of RDS and intracranial bleeding) | Neonatal resuscitation if not breathing at birth Bag-and-mask resuscitation with room air is sufficient for >99% of babies not breathing at birth | Safe oxygen use Monitored oxygen use e.g. in head box or with nasal cannula, routine use of pulse oximeters |