BELONIA, Nov 21 (TIWN): New Born week observed at Matai PHC under South Tripura District. SDMO Jagadish Nama, Hrishyamukh Block Chairman Asis Dutta and other health staffs were also present on that occasion. A rally was also organized in different corner under Matai PHC.

SDMO Jagadish Nama said,” Newborn health is of paramount importance as this contributes significantly to infant mortality in our country. Infant mortality has significantly dropped over the last one decade, but is still very high.Two-thirds die in the first month after birth. Of approximately 250 lakh infants born in India every year, 12 lakh die in the first month of life. This is one-fourth of all newborn deaths in the world annually.”

Considering this very high death rate in the newborn period, it is imperative that all efforts should be made to educate the health personnel and the public to improve newborn health.

The common causes of low birth weight babies are:-

1.Poor nutritional status of mother

2.High blood pressure

3.Anaemia

4.Infections

5.Tobacco use by mother

6.Low maternal literacy

7.Pregnancy at young age

8.Frequent pregnancies

9.Poor care during pregnancy