Multiple studies under "The Lancet Series on Small Vulnerable Newborns" showed that only eight types of accessible and cost-effective interventions tailored for pregnant women in 81 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), could potentially prevent an estimated 566,000 stillbirths and 5.2 million instances of premature or underweight births annually.
The subsequent benefits could lead to long-term health improvements and enhanced economic productivity.
Ahead of the regional launch of "The Lancet Series on Small Vulnerable Newborns (SVN)" on Wednesday, highlights were presented on Tuesday at a press meet in the Sasakawa Seminar Room at icddr,b, in Dhaka's Mohakhali.
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Dr Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman, scientist at the Maternal and Child Health Division (MCHD), icddr,b presented the highlights of the four papers in the series.
Among these eight interventions are measures such as multiple micronutrient supplements, balanced protein energy supplements, aspirin, syphilis treatment, smoking cessation education, malaria prevention during pregnancy, treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria, and vaginal progesterone supplementation.
Additionally, two proven strategies to mitigate preterm birth complications—antenatal corticosteroids and delayed cord clamping—are included.
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These combined interventions also have the potential to prevent 476,000 deaths among newborns.
The estimated cost of implementing these measures is $1.1 billion by the year 2030.
A separate analysis within the Lancet Series addressed the issue of small vulnerable newborns. This term encompasses babies born preterm or underweight with a low birth weight.
Of the 135 million live births in 2020, approximately 35.3 million fell into the SVN category.
These births occurred across the globe, with a significant concentration in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Despite global commitments to address the challenges of preterm birth and low birth weight, progress has been insufficient.
The Global Nutrition Target, aiming for a 30% reduction in low birth weight by 2030 from a 2012 baseline, has seen an annual reduction rate of just 0.59%.
This stagnation prompted the Lancet Series to call for enhanced quality of care for pregnant women and birthing procedures.
Also read: 1 pregnant woman or newborn dies every 7 seconds: WHO report
Specifically, the authors advocate for the widespread implementation of pregnancy interventions in 81 LMICs.
This effort, they estimate, could potentially prevent about 32% of stillbirths, 20% of newborn deaths, and 18% of all SVN births within these countries.
Dr Per Ashorn, the lead author of the series, said, "Despite several global commitments and targets aimed at reducing SVN outcomes since 1990, every fourth baby in the world is 'born too small' or 'born too soon'."
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"Our series suggests that we already have the knowledge to reverse the current trend and save the lives of 100,000 babies a year at a cost of $1.1 billion, a fraction of what other health programmes receive. We need national actors, with global partners, to urgently prioritise action, advocate, and invest," he said.
Dr Per Ashorn, professor of paediatrics and director of the Tampere Centre for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research at Tampere University in Finland, and the lead author of the Lancet Series on SVN, Professor Samina Chowdhury, former president of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB), Professor Md Abdul Mannan, secretary-general of the Bangladesh Perinatal Society (BPA) and Member of the (National Technical Working Committee-Newborn Health (NTWC-NBH), and Dr Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman, scientist at MCHD, icddr,b and Member of the NTWC-NBH, participated as panellists in the event.
icddr,b is hosting the regional launch of The Lancet Series on SVN with support from the Small Vulnerable Newborn Consortium.
The day-long event on Wednesday will be attended by around 150 participants, from different government officials working in the health sector, policymakers, and different programme managers.
The programme will feature an array of scientific discussions and presentations. Also, around 150 participants will join online from around the globe.