Up to 2 Million Children Die Each Year During First Day of Life, According to Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers Report
Simple, Affordable Techniques Could Reduce Deaths by 70 Percent.
Simple, Affordable Techniques Could Reduce Deaths by 70 Percent.
Westport, CT (May 9, 2006) - For most children in the developing world, the most dangerous day of their lives is their birthday.
Of more than 10 million children under the age of 5 who die each year, about 1 in 5—an estimated 2 million babies—die within the first 24 hours of life, according to the seventh annual State of the World’s Mothers report issued today by Save the Children, a global independent humanitarian organization. According to the report, an additional 1 million babies die during days 2 through 7. A total of 4 million babies die during the first month of life.
The first hours, days and weeks of a baby’s life are critical. Yet, only a tiny minority of babies in poor countries receive proper heath care during this highly vulnerable period,” said Save the Children President and CEO Charles MacCormack, in issuing the report. “The most simple health measures taken for granted in the United States can mean the difference between life and death for these babies. Low-cost interventions such as immunizing women against tetanus and providing a skilled attendant at birth could reduce newborn deaths by as much as 70 percent if provided universally.”
The report notes that most newborn deaths are the result of preventable or treatable causes such as infections, complications at birth and low birth weight.
“Newborn deaths are one of the world’s most neglected heath problems,” said MacCormack. “While there has been significant progress in reducing deaths among children under age 5 over the past decade, we have made little progress in reducing mortality rates for babies during the first month of life. In fact, newborn deaths are so common in many parts of the developing world that parents put off naming their babies until they are a week to 3 months old.”
“Newborn deaths are one of the world’s most neglected heath problems,” said MacCormack. “While there has been significant progress in reducing deaths among children under age 5 over the past decade, we have made little progress in reducing mortality rates for babies during the first month of life. In fact, newborn deaths are so common in many parts of the developing world that parents put off naming their babies until they are a week to 3 months old.”
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