About the Author:
Fariha Fida
Hussain is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing at Aga Khan
University, Karachi, Pakistan, with a focus on maternal and neonatal health.
She previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the same
institution. With more than eight years of experience in diverse clinical
settings, including medical-surgical and infectious disease units, she has
developed significant expertise. Her recent position as assistant head nurse at
a secondary hospital in Pakistan has further reinforced her dedication to
maternal and child care. Through her writing, she seeks to advance the health
of mothers and newborns.
Abstract:
The
blog titled “Before birth matters: advancing the sustainable development goals
through prenatal pediatric consultation to prevent newborn deaths” addresses
Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote
well-being for all ages, with particular emphasis on preventing neonatal
deaths. According to UNICEF (2026), 17 newborns die for every 1,000 live births
globally in 2024. This statistic underscores the urgent need for implementing
prenatal pediatric consultation during the antenatal period to reduce mortality
rates. The blog presents key statistical analyses from various sources,
emphasizes the significance of a multidisciplinary approach, and identifies
barriers that may impede its adoption. The content is relevant for healthcare
professionals, parents, and family members of newborns, highlighting the
critical role of pediatrician involvement during the prenatal period.
Introduction:
The
World Health Organization (WHO, 2016) defines antenatal care as skilled,
professional care provided to women during pregnancy to promote favorable
outcomes for both mother and infant. Despite this, current antenatal practices
frequently neglect newborn health, which contributes to persistently high rates
of neonatal mortality. Approximately 4 million infants out of 130 million
annual births die within the first 28 days of life (Jehan et al., 2009).
Neonatal mortality constitutes nearly half of all under-five deaths, with 98%
occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In 2019, sub-Saharan Africa and
South Asia accounted for 80% of these deaths (Rosa-Mangeret et al., 2022).
Integrating prenatal pediatric consultation into antenatal care, particularly
in low- and middle-income countries, may facilitate progress toward Sustainable
Development Goal 3, which aims to reduce neonatal mortality to 12 per 1000 live
births (Cao et al., 2025).
Importance of Prenatal
pediatric consultation:
Yogman
et al. (2018) recommend prenatal pediatric visits during the third trimester to
establish the neonate’s initial medical home, foster parent-provider trust,
collect essential information, provide anticipatory guidance, and facilitate
early risk identification. Adjadohoun et al. (2021) highlight the necessity of
a multidisciplinary team—including pediatricians, neonatologists, and
surgeons—in low- and middle-income countries to address congenital anomalies
and reduce neonatal mortality. Their study reported that 96.2% of staff agreed
that such multidisciplinary meetings improve newborn survival.
Barriers to prenatal
pediatric consultation:
Although
antenatal pediatric visits significantly reduce neonatal mortality rates,
multiple barriers impede their implementation in countries such as Pakistan.
The literature identifies both individual and systemic challenges. Wolf et al.
(2021) found that intimate partner violence, abuse, transportation
difficulties, and limited access to services are major obstacles for pregnant
women. Additionally, Mohseni et al. (2023) reported challenges related to
healthcare providers, service delivery, and inadequate infrastructure.
Conclusion:
In
conclusion, integrating prenatal pediatric consultation into antenatal care has
the potential to reduce neonatal mortality and support achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goal by 2030 in low- and middle-income countries. It is
essential for stakeholders to prioritize efforts to address implementation
barriers and ensure effective adoption.
References:
World
Health Organization. (2016). WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a
positive pregnancy experience. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549912
Jehan,
I., Harris, H., Salat, S., Zeb, A., Mobeen, N., Pasha, O., McClure, E. M.,
Moore, J., Wright, L. L., & Goldenberg, R. L. (2009). Neonatal
mortality, risk factors and causes: A prospective population-based cohort study
in urban Pakistan. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 87(2),
130–138. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.08.050963
Rosa-Mangeret,
F., Benski, A. C., Golaz, A., Zala, P. Z., Kyokan, M., Wagner, N., Muhe, L. M.,
& Pfister, R. E. (2022). 2.5 million annual deaths—Are neonates in low-
and middle-income countries too small to be seen? A bottom-up overview on
neonatal morbi-mortality. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 7(5),
64. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed7050064
Cao,
G., Liu, J., & Liu, M. (2025). Countdown 2030: Trends in neonatal
mortality between 1990 and 2023 with projections towards Sustainable
Development Goal target 3.2 at the global, regional and national levels.
International Journal of Surgery. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12695255
Yogman,
M., Lavin, A., Cohen, G., & American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on
Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. (2018). The prenatal visit.
Pediatrics, 142(1), e20181218. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-1218
djadohoun,
S., Hounnou, G. M., Alihonou, E., Hounkponou, F. M., & Bankole, H. S.
(2021). Are multidisciplinary consultation meetings for prenatal diagnosis
achievable in a low-income country? A descriptive cross-sectional survey in
Benin. World Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 6(4), e000576. https://doi.org/10.1136/wjps-2023-000576
Wolf,
E. R., O’Neil, J., Pecsok, J., & Handler, A. (2021). Barriers to
attendance of prenatal and well-child visits. Maternal and Child Health
Journal, 25(6), 912–919. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-020-03076-0
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