272 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
Care in Giving Medicines to the Newborn
Many medicines are dangerous for the newborn. Use only medicines you
are sure are recommended for the newborn and use them only when they are
absolutely necessary. Be sure you know the right dose and do not give too much.
Chloramphenicol, for example, is dangerous to newborns, especially if the baby is
premature or underweight (less than 2 kilograms).
Sometimes it is important to give medicines to a newborn. For example, giving
cotrimoxazole to a baby whose mother has HIV can protect the baby’s health.
See p. 358.
ILLNESSES OF THE NEWBORN
It is very important to notice any problem or illness a baby may have and to
act quickly.
Diseases that take days or weeks to kill
adults can kill a baby in a matter of hours.
Problems the Baby Is Born With (Also see p. 316)
These may result from something that went wrong with the development of the
baby in the womb or from damage to the baby while he was being born. Examine
the baby carefully immediately after birth. If he shows any of the following signs,
something is probably seriously wrong with him:
• If he does not breathe as soon as he is born.
• If his pulse cannot be felt or heard, or is less than 100 beats per minute.
• If his face and body are white, blue, or yellow after he has begun breathing.
• If his arms and legs are floppy—he does not move them by himself or when you
pinch them.
• If he grunts or has difficulty breathing after the first 15 minutes.
Some of these problems may be caused by brain damage at birth. They are
almost never caused by infection (unless the water broke more than 12 hours before
birth). Common medicines probably will not help. Keep the baby warm, but not too
warm (see p. 270). Try to get medical help.
If the newborn baby vomits or shits blood, or develops many bruises, she may
need vitamin K (see p. 392).
If the baby does not urinate or have a bowel movement in the first 2 days, also
seek medical help.
Problems that Result After the Baby Is Born
(in the first days or weeks)
1. Pus or a bad smell from the navel (cord) is a dangerous sign. Watch for early
signs of tetanus (p. 182) or bacterial infection of the blood (p. 275). Soak the cord in
alcohol and leave it open to the air. If the skin around the cord becomes hot and
red, treat with ampicillin (p. 352) or with penicillin and streptomycin (p. 353).