Drugs To Buy For New Born Baby In Nigeria

Giving  drugs including antibiotics to newborns is now becoming a normal practice in many hospitals. This does not take into account whether the baby is healthy or not.

Who Prescribed Antibiotics For Newborn After Birth

From information available, these antibiotics are prescribed by midwives and or nurses without the consent of the medical doctor in charge.

Newborn baby 

Why Antibiotic After Birth

The major reason for these antibiotic use is to prevent infection. After doing a lot of research on treatment guidelines for newborns, it became clear that these procedures are adapted from local tradition.

Read Also: Antibiotic that can treat malaria

WHO Guidelines On Antibiotics On Newborn

Under current guidelines, antibiotics directed at a wide range of bacteria -- known as broad-spectrum -- are currently prescribed to four to 10 percent of all newborns for suspected infections.

Also, infants are often given antibiotics right after C-section delivery due to the risks associated with early-onset sepsis (EOS). EOS, an infection of the bloodstream or cerebrospinal fluid, can occur within 72 hours of birth. But it’s hard to tell which babies will develop EOS.

They are not given to newborn that are healthy to prevent infection.

Antibiotics can be life-saving when babies contract deadly infections such as meningitis, pneumonia, urinary infection and bloodstream infections.

Sick newborn are treated depending on the condition. Women that give birth in the hospital are generally screen for infection and treated if possible before delivery. This gives an idea the nature of the possible infection the baby will be exposed to and possible treatment. After delivery, treatment is initiated in some cases before conducting test on the baby. The result will determine of to continue the treatment or not.

Read Also: All about cenox antibiotic tablet

There are many conditions when your baby might not require any antibiotics. Most viral infections such as flu, bronchitis, croup, in spite of showing similar symptoms like cold, cough, and fever cannot be treated with antibiotics.

The idea of giving antibiotics to newborns after birth to prevent infection is a wrong practice. This is because indiscriminate use of antibiotics in children can destroy their gut microbes that are used for digestion of milk from the mother. The result is a weak immune system.

Drugs are not food. They should be avoided if possible. Hygiene should be promoted. Proper nutrition should be advocated for more than nutritional supplements and baby products. This includes exclusive breastfeeding.