ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has finally got a machine to treat birth asphyxia, a condition in which a newborn cannot breathe and is exposed to severe brain damage.

A number of babies become deaf, disabled, mentally retarded and even die because of birth asphyxia.

Seven million newborns die each year worldwide mostly in the developing countries. Two-thirds of the world’s neonatal deaths occur in just 10 countries, mostly in Asia.

Pakistan is number three among these countries and accounts for 7pc of global neonatal deaths. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around four million babies develop birth asphyxia annually, out of which 1.2 million die and as many develop epilepsy, mental retardation, learning disabilities, blindness or hearing problem.

Department of Neonatology Head Prof Dr Haider Shirazi while talking to Dawn said if a baby fails to breathe in time he/she needs immediate treatment to avoid organs failure.

“Newborn baby is kept in a machine which is like a blanket, filled with liquid, and it keeps a constant temperature of 34 degree Celsius. The baby has to stay there for 72 hours and treatment has to be provided within six hours after birth,” he said.

While replying to a question, Dr Shirazi said Islamabad was the second city after Lahore where this facility was available.

“The machine should be made available in all hospitals of the country because it saves a baby from life-long disabilities,” he said.

Media coordinator of Pims Dr Waseem Khawaja said that given current sociocultural factors in developing countries such as Pakistan, the magnitude of asphyxia is likely to be much greater than in developed countries.

Poverty, illiteracy, low status of women, poor hygiene, lack of clean water and sanitation, family inability to recognize danger signs and inadequate access to medical care all increase the risk for morbidity following birth asphyxia.

“Babies who don’t receive enough oxygen to their brain during and after birth are at risk to brain damage. The problem, which is unpredictable, usually occurs just before or during the delivery. The problem can only be addressed if there is access to trained birth attendants and secondary level referral facility which can deal with the complications,” he said.

“Even in developed countries studies have found that 15 to 18pc of infants who suffer moderate to severe asphyxia are disabled by eight years of age.

“Once the damage to the brain has occurred due to birth asphyxia it is irreversible and permanent. Therefore prevention and prompt treatment of birth asphyxia is required,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2016