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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : September 11, 2014 1:13 PM IST
(Picture for representational purpose only)
Twelve infants have died in the past two days in the Malda Medical College and Hospital, Malda, West Bengal, reported an official on Thursday. The babies were aged between one day and three months, CMOH (Malda) Dilip Kumar Mondal said. The newborns, brought from different primary health centres of Malda district in a critical condition, suffered from low weight, breathing problems and malnutrition, Mr Mondal said.
Some of the most common causes that lead to early infant death are as follows:
Premature birth: It is usually said that a full-term baby is birthed between 39 or 40 weeks of gestation. The later the baby is born the better is her chance of survival. A premature baby is born within 37 weeks of gestation. Premature birth is one of the prime causes of neonatal death, globally. Complications and consequences that result from a premature birth make it difficult for the baby to triumph all odds and get on track for survival. These complications can include respiratory disorders, weak lungs that might not be able to keep the small air sacs inside from collapsing; intarventricular hemorrhage or bleeding in the brain that can lead to death, intestinal problems that can lead to severe bowel movements and subsequent death and infections; a host of infections can attack the immature immune system and result in fatalities.
Sudden infant death syndrome: The name itself suggests that this situation occurs when the baby dies due to an unexplained reason. But experts still feel that there is a co-relation between SIDS and a baby's sleep pattern. Though there isn't any concrete explanation about what causes SIDS, many studies and experts opinions point out that babies who are made to sleep on their tummy or their sides during the first month of their life find it difficult to breathe because of their airways being compressed. This leads to a lowered intake of oxygen, which in turn restricts the brain from sending a signal back to your baby's body to wake up due to breathing difficulties.
Birth defects: Congenital defects or birth defects are another factor that induces early infant death. Though a lot of prenatal tests and diagnosis today helps to curb the problem or at least prepare for its consequences early, major defects often go undetected inflating infant mortality rates. Read more about 5 reasons that lead to early infant death
With inputs from PTI
Photo source: Getty images
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