Tag

Newborn Care

All articles tagged with #newborn care

health1 month ago•4 min saved

New vaccine policy shifts stoke questions about newborn care

U.S. vaccine-policy changes under Health Secretary Kennedy are fueling hesitation in labor wards, with doctors reporting more families delaying standard newborn care such as vitamin K injections and erythromycin eye ointment amid distrust and social-media misinformation. While pediatricians stress these treatments and routine immunizations are crucial—and some measles outbreaks spur early vaccination—officials say policy shifts haven’t caused the declines. In 2024, vitamin K was not given to more than 5% of newborns, up from under 3% in 2017, with some parents opting for oral vitamin K.

via Reuters|

#erythromycin-eye-ointment #health #misinformation-social-media

health-global-development2 years ago•5 min saved

"UN Report: Global Child Mortality Reaches Record Low in 2022"

A new report by UNICEF marks a historic moment as the number of children dying before their 5th birthday has dropped below 5 million for the first time, with significant progress in countries like Malawi, Rwanda, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan. However, despite the positive trend, there is still much work to be done, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia where child mortality rates remain high due to preventable and treatable conditions. Inequalities within countries, such as urban-rural divides and disparities in wealth and education, also impact child mortality. While interventions like community health workers have shown success, more efforts are needed to address newborn care and ensure continued health investments to further reduce child mortality.

via NPR|

#child-mortality #global-health #health-global-development

parenting2 years ago•4 min saved

"Rationale Behind Banning Kissing and Cuddling Babies"

Research shows that kissing and cuddling newborns, especially those born premature or with health problems, can pose serious health risks due to their vulnerable immune systems. Despite the risk, many parents feel uneasy asking visitors not to touch or kiss their baby, fearing offense or being labeled overprotective. Setting boundaries with friends and family can be difficult, but experts advise calmly and firmly explaining concerns about infections and trusting parental instincts to keep the baby safe and healthy. Simple hygiene measures, such as hand-washing and avoiding contact when unwell, can help lower the risk of passing on infections to young babies.

via Newsweek|

#baby-health #family-relationships #infection-prevention