In a developing country, a training program for midwives was successful at reducing infant deaths in low-risk births, reports a study in the November issue of Pediatrics. There are 3.7 million neonatal deaths and 3 million stillbirths per year worldwide - with 98 percent of these occurring in developing countries. The study, "Newborn Care Training of Midwives and Neonatal and Perinatal Mortality Rates in a Developing Country," published online Oct. 11, tested whether training midwives in low-cost interventions, including neonatal resuscitation, can be effective in saving infants' lives. One midwife in each of 18 health centers in Zambia was trained in basic neonatal care and resuscitation, and they all in turn trained all of the practicing midwives at their clinics. After training, neonatal mortality rates decreased from 11.5 deaths per 1,000 live births to 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. Researchers concluded training for midwives is effective at reducing mortality rates for low-risk births.

A separate study in the same issue, "High Mortality Rates for Very Low Birth Weight Infants in Developing Countries Despite Training," by the same lead author, examined using the same training model in rural communities in which most deliveries occur at home or in clinics with basic services. In this study, authors concluded that training birth attendants did not reduce mortality for very low birth weight infants. Study authors concluded that due to the advanced health care needs of these high-risk infants, pregnant women anticipating a premature or very low birth weight infant should be transported to facilities with high levels of care.

Note: A commentary, "Neonatal Resuscitation: A Global Challenge," to be published online Oct. 25, discusses both studies.

Source:
American Academy of Pediatrics