Page 91 - fourth year book

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE (MCH)

High Risk Children

A high risk child is one whose health status makes him susceptible
to increased morbidity or mortality.

Risk factors:

a) Factors related to maternal health: as discussed before.
b) Factors related to the child:

 Prematurity (death during 1 year of life 17times than
st
normal)
 Low Apgar score.

 Congenital malformation.
 Birth injuries.

 Prolonged hospital stay (infection; poor progress).
 Mental handicaps.

 Early stoppages of breast feeding.
 Introduction of complementary foods either too early or too

late.
 Frequent episodes of infection.

Under-five children health indices

1. Neonatal mortality rate:

Is the number of deaths of infants during the first 4 weeks of life per
1000 live births in a given area and year.

No of infant deaths during the 1 4 weeks of life
st
Neonatal mortality in a given area and year × 1000
rate =

No of live births in same area and year

In Egypt neonatal mortality 11.22/ 1000 LB (UN estimates 2019).

Main causes of neonatal deaths:
1. Prematurity (50%).
2. Birth injuries.

3. Asphyxia.
4. Congenital malformation.

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