For a study, researchers sought to assess the efficacy of a standardized Essential Newborn Care (ENC) module given by pediatric residents on ENC skills and offspring growth born to underweight primigravida moms. Between May 2018 and March 2019, a facility-based, single-blind, parallel, randomized controlled study was undertaken. About 88 underweight primigravida women and their vaginally delivered infants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). The IG moms were educated on ENC through visual aids, presentations, and practice sessions. Continuing public health efforts provided information to all moms. On the second postnatal day, a qualified hospital nurse who was not aware of the research rated the moms’ newborn care abilities. The infants were monitored for 6 months. Weight, length, and head circumference were measured at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, and 6 months (±1 week).
Mothers in the IG showed considerably stronger ENC abilities across the board (P<.001). Their infants’ weight (at 10 and 14 weeks and 6 months), length (at 14 weeks and 6 months), and head circumference increased statistically significantly (at 6 months). The z-scores of infants in the IG showed considerable gains in anthropometry as compared to the CG. When compared to birth percentiles, the number of newborns with weights in the third percentile declined in the IG (from 20 of 44 to 5 of 41) and grew in the CG (from 17 of 44 to 22 of 42). Early after delivery, an educational intervention to increase maternal ENC knowledge and abilities promoted physical growth in infants delivered to underweight primigravida women.
Reference:www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00005-1/fulltext
