In India, nearly 30-40% of babies are born with a low birth rate. This fragility is a cause for concern for parents who look forward to healthy offspring. It takes away the joy of bringing a new life into the world. There are several causes of low birth weight in newborns (LBW) and knowing them can always improve the outcome of maternal care.
This article features implications in infants with LBW. Lotus Hospital provides specialised care for low birth weight newborns. Our medical experts give the ideal treatment plans for the mother and baby to go home with hope.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding incidences of low birth weight
- Underlying causes and avoiding them
- Advanced treatment plans
- Why is Lotus Hospital the best hospital for neonatal care
If a baby weighs less than 5.5 pounds at birth it needs special medical care. In India, it is a public health challenge due to ignorance of expectant mothers. Several pre-term births occur before the gestation period of 37 weeks. A few babies (20-30%) complete the full term but weigh less for their gestation age. Due to multiple deliveries by the mother, some babies weigh less. Teenage mothers are at high risk of giving birth to such infants.
Why should we be concerned?
The tiny body is not strong enough to handle complications and is vulnerable to infections. Additional problems crop up like:
- Low oxygen levels
- Cannot maintain body temperature
- Difficulty in feeding and gaining weight
- Respiratory distress syndrome
- Neurological issues like bleeding inside the brain
- Digestion issues
- Sudden infant death syndrome
These babies have less time to develop and gain weight in the womb. In the latter half of the pregnancy, the unborn should gain weight and get a full body. In some cases, the intrauterine growth restriction interferes due to the placenta or defective formation. The overall mother’s health also affects her weight. Babies born in such conditions are small and immature. Physically too they remain short in height and weight.
As the best hospital for neonatal care in Hyderabad, Lotus Hospital offers advanced treatment after birth. The facility has a fully equipped neonatal department with neonatologists, nurses, and experienced staff for the baby’s care. Dr VSV Prasad is the leading neonatologist and paediatrician. Under his supervision, the other medical experts handle these cases.
The neonatal ward is where ‘just born’ babies are kept under observation. Their needs are very acute and repetitive. The margin of error is zero to keep the infant breathing. Babies cannot speak and therefore, our objectivity plays a pivotal role. Respiratory monitoring is generally on an hourly basis.
The nurses pay attention to:
- Timely Medications to be administered.
- Limited visitor control.
- Rest and recuperation of the baby without disturbance.
- Regular rounds by doctors
- Repeated feedback about the progress of the infant.
As the best hospital for neonatal care in Hyderabad, Lotus Hospital offers unique treatment plans suited to the infant’s needs. We always hope the infant is healthy enough to be taken home.