According to the latest annual health report (2024–25) released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Uttar Pradesh continues to report one of the highest child mortality in India. The report shows that 43 out of every 1,000 children born in the state die before reaching the age of five. Dangerous, 38 babies die within their first year (infant mortality or IMR) per 1,000 living births, while 28 per 1,000 die within 28 days of life (newborn mortality or NMR).

The number keeps Uttar Pradesh only behind Madhya Pradesh, where IMR is on 43 and NMR 31. Both states are quite above the national average – the current IMR for India is 28, and NMR is 20.

A close eye on the figures suggests that within the first 28 days of life, about 63 percent of all the low deaths occur during the newborn period. Of these, about 75 percent occurs during the first week, which is known as the early newborn period. Medical experts suggest that many of these deaths are to be stopped and are often associated with infections obtained during delivery, especially septicemia, which is usually due to poor hygiene and lack of proper care during delivery.

What are institutional delivery?

Institutional delivery refers to the child’s birth which is in the presence of skilled medical professionals in health facility such as a government hospital, primary health center or private clinic. These settings are equipped with sterile equipment, hygiene delivery rooms, emergency care facilities and trained staff, which are to manage complications – factors who are important in reducing the risk of infection in both mother and newborn.

In contrast, homebuilding can lead to complications from homeless without trained allegor or clean distribution practices, especially in remote or undertaking areas where access to awareness and healthcare is limited. Healthcare experts say, “Delivery in unethical conditions leads to a significant increase in the risk of infections, including newborn sepsis or septicmia, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.”

What is septicemia or infection during childbirth?

Septismia, also known as sepsis, is a serious infection that spreads through the bloodstream. In newborns, this is often caused by infection of bacteria introduced during delivery or shortly after. Common reasons include:

• Inaccurate cuttings of umbilical cord.
• Use of non-Ielegative distribution devices.
• Infection in the birth canal.
• Contaminated hand or surface during delivery.

Once a child’s immature immune system comes into contact with bacteria, it can lead to rapid infection and life-drank inflammation.

Signing

Early detection of infection is important for survival. Parents and carers should look out for the following warning signals:

• Sluggishness
• Lactate
• High or very low body temperature
• Rapid breathing
• Skin rashes or jaundice
• Swelling or redness
• Seizure or irritability

If any of these symptoms appear, immediate medical attention is important.

Preventive measures: How to reduce the risk of infection during childbirth

Doctors strongly suggest institutional delivery as the most effective preventive measure. Other major strategies include:

1. Regular check-ups regularly to monitor the mother’s health and catch complications quickly.
2. Ensuring distribution in a clean, sterile environment, preferably in a hospital or health center.
3. Training of birth attendants on hygiene practices and sterile techniques.
4. Immediate postpartum care to monitor both mother and child for any signal of infection.
5. Promoting breastfeeding, which increases the child’s immunity.
6. Care of proper umbilical cord, using sterile equipment and keeping the area clean and dry.
7. Public awareness campaign families to educate the risks of home delivery and the benefits of institutional births.

Government strategies to save newborns

While in Uttar Pradesh, the Health Department is working to improve maternal and child health through schemes like Janani Surksha Yojana (JSY), experts say that behavioral changes, awareness and quality maternal care are necessary to save newborn life.

To compete with upper newborn and infant mortality, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced a series of target programs under its newborn health strategic interventions. These efforts aim to reduce preventionable deaths and ensure better care for mothers and infants, especially in high -risk states such as Uttar Pradesh.

A major step is promoted the required newborn care (ENC) at birth. To support this, the neonatal care corner (NBCCs) is installed at distribution points in health facilities across the country. These dedicated locations are equipped to provide immediate care to newborns, including revival and thermal security.

The government launched Janani Shishu Sukokha Kayakaram (JSSK) to reduce financial obstacles that often delay time or prevent timely care. This initiative ensures free diagnosis, treatment and referral transport for infants up to one year in public health facilities. As a result, families do not have the burden of out-of-pocket expenses during the important early stages of life.

Other programs are home-based newborn care (HBNC) and home-based care for Young Children (HBYC). These programs empower recognized social health workers (AShas) to promote essential newborns such as exclusive breastfeeds, hygiene cord care and quick identity of newborn diseases. AShas are encouraged to visit the prescribed home to check newborns and postpartum mothers during the first six weeks of birth.

According to state reports, under the HBNC program, 1.47 crore newborns were visited by AShas in 2023-24, and reached over 71.15 million newborns between April and September 2024. These home tours have played an important role in disease and timely detection of referrals, especially in remote and preceding regions.

Diarrhea, pneumonia, malnutrition, and poor hygiene play a major role in the existence of the child, therefore, efforts are being made to strengthen health facilities and intervention in communities both in health facilities and communities, which are to reduce infection risks during and later during the child’s child.

Now get the latest news with health and braking news and top headlines worldwide.