Pre-term births and low birth weight are among the leading causes of infant mortality in the city.
The good news is that Bengaluru's infant mortality rate is falling, but many more deaths can be prevented, doctors say.
According to health and family welfare officials, neonates (babies less than one month old) are the most vulnerable.
Dr Asha Benakappa, Director, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, says, "These two factors contribute to 25 to 35 per cent of infant deaths. If a child is born before 37 weeks of gestation, it is at a higher risk. Similarly, any infant whose birth weight is less than 2.5 kilos would have to be taken care of very well."
She emphasises it is also important to focus on the "health of the womb". In her words, "A healthy mother will mean a healthy child."
Babies of literate women tend to be at lower risk. "Among the factors that affect the child are pregnancy-induced hypertension, obesity, malnourishment and diabetes," she told DH.
'Govt must do more'
A senior paediatrician from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute believes the government must do more to encourage breastfeeding.
"If one walks into Vani Vilas Hospital, one sees many women who don't breastfeed their children even once. Neither the family nor the nurses are trained in this respect. If they are trained, more infant deaths can be prevented," the paediatrician said.
Expert's take
Dr Anil Sapare, head of the department of paediatrics, Narayana Health City, says infant mortality is high among poor and rural families.
"Infants are malnourished and brought to hospital late. They also suffer several deficiencies," he explains.
He says a mother's health and awareness contribute significantly to the wellbeing of the infant.
Slightly older children are vulnerable to gastroenteritis and pneumonia, which cause death. To a smaller extent, diseases such as dengue are also resulting in infant deaths, he says.
![]( "The good news is that Bengaluru's infant mortality rate is falling, but many more deaths can be prevented, doctors say. DH Illustration")
Pre-term births and low birth weight are among the leading causes of infant mortality in the city.
The good news is that Bengaluru’s infant mortality rate is falling, but many more deaths can be prevented, doctors say.
According to health and family welfare officials, neonates (babies less than one month old) are the most vulnerable.
Dr Asha Benakappa, Director, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, says, "These two factors contribute to 25 to 35 per cent of infant deaths. If a child is born before 37 weeks of gestation, it is at a higher risk. Similarly, any infant whose birth weight is less than 2.5 kilos would have to be taken care of very well.”
She emphasises it is also important to focus on the "health of the womb”. In her words, "A healthy mother will mean a healthy child.”
Babies of literate women tend to be at lower risk. "Among the factors that affect the child are pregnancy-induced hypertension, obesity, malnourishment and diabetes,” she told DH.
'Govt must do more’
A senior paediatrician from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute believes the government must do more to encourage breastfeeding.
"If one walks into Vani Vilas Hospital, one sees many women who don’t breastfeed their children even once. Neither the family nor the nurses are trained in this respect. If they are trained, more infant deaths can be prevented,” the paediatrician said.
Expert’s take
Dr Anil Sapare, head of the department of paediatrics, Narayana Health City, says infant mortality is high among poor and rural families.
"Infants are malnourished and brought to hospital late. They also suffer several deficiencies,” he explains.
He says a mother’s health and awareness contribute significantly to the wellbeing of the infant.
Slightly older children are vulnerable to gastroenteritis and pneumonia, which cause death. To a smaller extent, diseases such as dengue are also resulting in infant deaths, he says.
The good news is that Bengaluru's infant mortality rate is falling, but many more deaths can be prevented, doctors say.
According to health and family welfare officials, neonates (babies less than one month old) are the most vulnerable.
Dr Asha Benakappa, Director, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, says, "These two factors contribute to 25 to 35 per cent of infant deaths. If a child is born before 37 weeks of gestation, it is at a higher risk. Similarly, any infant whose birth weight is less than 2.5 kilos would have to be taken care of very well."
She emphasises it is also important to focus on the "health of the womb". In her words, "A healthy mother will mean a healthy child."
Babies of literate women tend to be at lower risk. "Among the factors that affect the child are pregnancy-induced hypertension, obesity, malnourishment and diabetes," she told DH.
'Govt must do more'
A senior paediatrician from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute believes the government must do more to encourage breastfeeding.
"If one walks into Vani Vilas Hospital, one sees many women who don't breastfeed their children even once. Neither the family nor the nurses are trained in this respect. If they are trained, more infant deaths can be prevented," the paediatrician said.
Expert's take
Dr Anil Sapare, head of the department of paediatrics, Narayana Health City, says infant mortality is high among poor and rural families.
"Infants are malnourished and brought to hospital late. They also suffer several deficiencies," he explains.
He says a mother's health and awareness contribute significantly to the wellbeing of the infant.
Slightly older children are vulnerable to gastroenteritis and pneumonia, which cause death. To a smaller extent, diseases such as dengue are also resulting in infant deaths, he says.
Pre-term births and low birth weight are among the leading causes of infant mortality in the city.The good news is that Bengaluru’s infant mortality rate is falling, but many more deaths can be prevented, doctors say.
According to health and family welfare officials, neonates (babies less than one month old) are the most vulnerable.
Dr Asha Benakappa, Director, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, says, "These two factors contribute to 25 to 35 per cent of infant deaths. If a child is born before 37 weeks of gestation, it is at a higher risk. Similarly, any infant whose birth weight is less than 2.5 kilos would have to be taken care of very well.”
She emphasises it is also important to focus on the "health of the womb”. In her words, "A healthy mother will mean a healthy child.”
Babies of literate women tend to be at lower risk. "Among the factors that affect the child are pregnancy-induced hypertension, obesity, malnourishment and diabetes,” she told DH.
'Govt must do more’
A senior paediatrician from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute believes the government must do more to encourage breastfeeding.
"If one walks into Vani Vilas Hospital, one sees many women who don’t breastfeed their children even once. Neither the family nor the nurses are trained in this respect. If they are trained, more infant deaths can be prevented,” the paediatrician said.
Expert’s take
Dr Anil Sapare, head of the department of paediatrics, Narayana Health City, says infant mortality is high among poor and rural families.
"Infants are malnourished and brought to hospital late. They also suffer several deficiencies,” he explains.
He says a mother’s health and awareness contribute significantly to the wellbeing of the infant.
Slightly older children are vulnerable to gastroenteritis and pneumonia, which cause death. To a smaller extent, diseases such as dengue are also resulting in infant deaths, he says.