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Field Testing of Appropriate Technological Tool of Individualised Color Coded Any Day Neonatal Growth Monitoring
Asha Krishnaji Pratinidhi1, P P Doke2, S V Kakade3
1Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed University, Karad, Maharashtra, 415539, India. ashapratinidhi@gmail.com.
Insights
The Individualised Color Coded Any Day (ICCAD) growth monitoring charts significantly reduced neonatal mortality rates in Maharashtra. This innovative tool improved newborn weight gain and care decisions at the primary health care level.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal health
- Public health interventions
- Growth monitoring
Background:
- Neonatal mortality remains a significant public health challenge in low-resource settings.
- Effective growth monitoring tools are crucial for timely interventions in newborns.
- Primary health care facilities often lack specialized pediatric support for neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of Individualised Color Coded Any Day (ICCAD) growth monitoring charts.
- To assess the impact of ICCAD charts on neonatal mortality and weight gain at the primary health care level.
- To field test an innovative technological tool for neonatal care in Maharashtra, India.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study was conducted in three districts of Maharashtra, India.
- Newborns (≥1500g) were monitored using ICCAD charts (study group) or standard care (control group).
- Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and weight gain were the primary outcome measures.
Main Results:
- The study included 6705 live births in the study area and 6341 in the control area.
- Neonatal mortality rate was significantly lower in the ICCAD group (6.3/1000) compared to the control group (10.6/1000).
- Improved mean weight gain was observed across all birth weight groups in the study area.
Conclusions:
- The ICCAD neonatal growth monitoring charts represent an appropriate technological tool for primary health care.
- This intervention demonstrated a significant benefit in reducing neonatal mortality.
- The ICCAD charts appear to aid in decision-making regarding the type of care required for newborns.
Objective:
To field test the Individualised Color Coded Any Day (ICCAD) growth monitoring charts at primary health care level in three districts of Maharashtra.
Methods:
The present study was conducted in three districts of Maharashtra - Pune, Satara and Kolhapur and included newborns with weight ≥ 1500 g born during 1st May 2010 to 30th July 2011. Talukas were matched based on mortality and coverage indicators and put in study (ICCAD use) and control area (ICCAD non-use) from every District. Health centres were selected from each taluka where facilities of expert obstetric and pediatric services did not exist but number of deliveries conducted was high. Data was collected during neonatal period. Three patterns of ICCAD charts; 1500 g to 1999 g, 2000 to 2499 g and ≥2500 g; developed from daily weight record of 430 newborns for 30 d were used. Outcome measures were neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and weight gain in study and control groups.
Results:
There were 6705 live births from study and 6341 from control area. The NMR of study area (6.3/1000 live births) was significantly lesser as compared to control area (10.6/1000 live births). Birth weight group specific NMR of birth weight between 1500 to <2000 g and ≥2500 g was significantly lower in study area as compared to control area. There was improvement in mean gain weight of 15 g, 43 g and 89 g for respective birth weight groups in ascending order.
Conclusions:
This innovative appropriate technological tool based on translational research of ICCAD neonatal growth monitoring charts appears to have benefited the decision of type of care.
