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Newborns, infants and children
Each year nearly 10 million young children in low-and middle-income countries die before they reach their fifth birthday. Seven in ten of these deaths are due to preventable and treatable conditions. Almost all of these children could survive and thrive with access to simple, affordable interventions.
A child's risk of dying is highest in the first month of life, when safe childbirth and effective neonatal care are essential. Preterm birth, birth asphyxia and infections cause most newborn deaths. Once children have reached one month of age, and up until the age of five, the main causes for loss of life are pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles and HIV. Malnutrition contributes to more than half of all child deaths.
Newborns and infants
Each year, almost four million children die within a month of their birth (the neonatal period). For neonates and infants (up to one year old), prevention and care for illnesses are both very important, and both focus primarily on the mother and other caretakers. In addition to healthy prenatal and delivery practices, important aspects of prevention include immediate attention to breathing and warmth, hygienic cord and skin care, exclusive breastfeeding and the appropriate introduction of complementary foods, and caring behaviours that contribute to their healthy development. Care for illnesses in infants and neonates is also very important, as young children can die very quickly if an illness is not recognized. Sick young infants must be taken immediately to a trained provider who can give appropriate care.
Children
Most deaths among children aged one to five years are due to diseases that can be prevented, but that can also be easily treated at home or in health facilities.
- For some of the most deadly childhood diseases, such as measles, vaccines are available and timely completion of immunization protects a child from this illness and death.
- Acute respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia, are the largest single cause of death in children under five. Addressing the major risk factors for the illness - malnutrition and indoor air pollution - is essential to prevention, along with vaccination. Once children have a serious respiratory illness, they need appropriate care by a trained health provider, including access to antibiotics and oxygen.
- Diarrhoea can be prevented with exclusive breastfeeding and good hygiene and sanitary practices. When a child with diarrhoea becomes dehydrated, rapid treatment is necessary with Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and zinc supplements.
- Malaria can be prevented by the use of protective nets treated with insecticide that prevent mosquitoes from biting a child. If a child is bitten and has malaria, rapid and appropriate care is essential.
- Over 90% of children with HIV are infected through mother-to-child transmission, which is preventable with the use of anti-retrovirals, as well as safer delivery and feeding practices. Anti-retroviral therapy for HIV-infected children greatly improves survival rates and quality of life. Without interventions, over half of all HIV-infected children die before their second birthday.
- About 20 million young children worldwide are severely malnourished, which leaves them more vulnerable to illness and early death. Mothers and other caretakers need to know how to feed their child correctly to prevent nutritional problems. If a child becomes malnourished appropriate care is essential. Around three quarters of malnourished children can be treated with "ready-to-use therapeutic foods". These highly fortified and energy-rich foods provide ample nutrients for malnourished children aged over six months to be treated at home.
Related links
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Child health epidemiology
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Nutrition
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The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI)
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Documents about neonates, newborns and infants
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Documents about child health
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