Experts at a programme yesterday said 1,20,000 newborns die every year in the country, with 38 percent dying directly or indirectly due to premature delivery, which must be prevented.
It is good that Bangladesh is on track of achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 that tells of reducing child mortality. But if the death of 1,20,000 newborn cannot be averted, they apprehended that it might not sustain.
An estimated 38 lakh children are born in the country every year, they said at a Continued Medical Education programme titled ‘Management of premature baby’.
Bangladesh Perinatal Society organised the programme at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine Auditorium in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
While presenting the keynote paper, Obstetric and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) Secretary General Prof Nasima Begum said babies born 28 to 37 weeks prior to their expected delivery are called premature.
The premature babies have various types of complications like underdeveloped organs, breathing problems and infection and can suffer from physical or mental retardation. They need experts’ extra support for survival, she said.
Premature delivery takes place mainly due to absence of antenatal care, malnutrition, infection, mental stress and trauma and for violence against expecting mothers, she added.
As soon as symptoms of premature delivery is seen, the mother should be taken to a hospital or a doctor should be called immediately, speakers suggested.
The symptoms of premature labour include contraction in every ten minutes, increased pressure in the pelvis, increased vaginal discharge, leaking of fluid and bleeding, they said.
So the experts suggested preventing premature delivery by taking care of pregnant mothers and support them with adequate nutrition, rest and peace.
National Prof and President of Bangladesh Perinatal Society M R Khan as the chief guest stressed the need for ensuring proper nutrition of the mothers.
If the mothers are malnourished they are more prone to give birth of a malnourished and premature baby, he said adding that breast-feeding for the children should also be specially ensured.
The society’s General Secretary Prof Laila Arjumand Banu, Pro Vice Chancellor of BSMMU and Vice Presidents of the society Dr Mohammad Shahidullah, Prof M A K Azad Chowdhury and Prof Kishwar Azad also spoke among others.
