What is Newborn Sepsis?
Neonatal sepsis is a major health problem globally. Every year an estimated 30 million newborns acquire infection and 1-2 million of these babies die. However, many of these deaths can be prevented through increased coverage of existing essential maternal and newborn health packages. Identifying and treating newborns at the community level is critical as most newborn infections develop at home and facility treatment is often unavailable. Treatment strategies must include timely care-seeking for newborn danger signs, prompt identification of illness, and treatment with antibiotics.

What are the evidence-based interventions?
Neonatal sepsis prevention and treatment interventions begin during the antenatal period and continue through the childbirth and postnatal periods. The key specific interventions for the three periods are:

• Antenatal Period: Tetanus toxoid vaccinations of mothers; and treatment of maternal infections such as those transmitted sexually.
• Childbirth Period: Clean birth practices, including hand washing of birth attendants and use of clean or sterile instruments to cut and tie umbilical cord;clean umbilical cord care; and immediate breastfeeding.
• Postnatal Period: Exclusive breastfeeding; clean and appropriate eye care; and timely identification of infection and prompt treatment with appropriate antibiotics.

Key MCHIP Newborn Sepsis Activities
MCHIP is focusing on newborn sepsis interventions in Bangladesh, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Nepal, Paraguay and Zimbabwe.