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New Policies and Protocol On Essential Intrapartal Newborn Care
New Policies and Protocol On Essential Intrapartal Newborn Care
New Policies and Protocol On Essential Intrapartal Newborn Care
CARE
The Philippines is one of 42 nations that account for 90 percent of global under-five
mortality. An estimated 82,000 Filipino children die annually before their 5th birthday.
More than one third (37 percent) of these children are newborns less than 28 days old.
These newborns die mostly of preventable causes such as asphyxia (lack of oxygen to
the brain) or sepsis (severe infection). The highest number of newborn deaths occur in
the first two days of life. Factors and conditions surrounding labor, delivery, and the
immediate postpartum period have been seen as reasons. The Millennium
Development Goal (MDG) 4, in particular, aims for a reduction in under-five mortality by
two-thirds by 2015. Childhood death rates in the Philippines have shown a downward
trend, but the decline dangerously slowed down in the past 10 years because the
neonatal mortality rate has remained almost unchanged
On December 7, 2009, the DOH issued an administrative order to implement the ENC
protocol with the goal of rapidly reducing the number of newborn deaths in the
Philippines. The GENERAL OBJECTIVE: To ensure the provision of globally accepted
evidence-based essential newborn care focusing on the first week of life.
With AO 2009 - 0025, the whole hierarchy of the DOH and its attached agencies, public
and private providers of health care and development partners implementing the
Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition Strategy and all health practitioners
of maternal and newborn care are enjoined to adopt the policies and protocol on
Essential Newborn Care. Implementation of the ENC protocol has the potential to avert
approximately 70 percent of newborn deaths that are due to preventable causes.
Causes of newborn deaths:
1. Birth asphyxia (31%)
2. Complications of prematurity (30%)
3. Severe infection (19%)
NEWBORN RESUSCITATION
1. Start resuscitation if the newborn is not breathing or is gasping after 30 seconds of
drying or before 30 seconds of drying.
2. Clamp and cut the cord immediately.
3. Call for help.
4. Transfer the newborn to a dry, clean and warm surface. Keep the newborn wrapped
or under a heat source if available.
UNNECESSARY PROCEDURES
1. ROUTINE SUCTIONING – indicated only if the mouth/ nose is blocked with
secretions 2. EARLY BATHING/WASHING – causes drop in the body temperature
leading to increased risk of developing infections, coagulation defects and brain
hemorrhage
3. FOOTPRINTING – has proven to be an inadequate technique for newborn
identification purposes
4. Giving sugar water, formula or other prelacteals and the use of bottles or pacifiers.
5. Application of alcohol, medicine and other substances on the cord stump and
bandaging the cord stump or abdomen.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
1. Advise the mother to return or to go to the hospital immediately for:
• Jaundice of the soles
• Difficulty feeding
• Convulsions
• Movement only when stimulated
• Fast or slow or difficult breathing
• Temperature >37.5 or
2. Advise the mother to bring her newborn to the health facility for routine check-up
• Postnatal visit 1: 48 to 72 hours of life
• Postnatal visit 2: 7 days of life
• Immunization visit 1: 6 weeks of life