Child Health professionals have raised worries about the 280,000 Nigerian infants who die within the first four weeks of life each year, not...
ChildHealth professionals have raised worries about the 280,000 Nigerian infants who die within the first four weeks of life each year, noting that these losses are avoidable and could be significantly reduced.
They claim that limited access to high-quality prenatal care, delayed action during childbirth, and insufficient post-delivery support continue to be key factors behind the alarming statistics.
Pediatricians also recognize conditions specific to newborns and avoidable issues, such as birth asphyxia, premature birth, and infections, as additional causes of infant deaths in Nigeria.
The specialists highlighted this while responding to recent data showing that Nigeria had approximately 280,000 infant deaths within the first 28 days of life, one of the highest numbers worldwide.
PUNCH Healthwise states that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, mentioned that 280,000 newborns pass away within the first 28 days of life because of issues related to premature birth.
During a briefing marking the 2025 World Pneumonia and Prematurity Days, along with the introduction of the Nigerian Child Survival Action Plan and the National Birth Defect Surveillance Guideline, Pate mentioned that the nation experiences 162,000 child deaths linked to pneumonia each year.
Furthermore, the 2025 Nigeria Health Statistics Report, published by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, indicated that Nigeria had an estimated 20,811 maternal, newborn, and under-five deaths from January to September 2025.
"Neonatal deaths rose from 1,706 in the first quarter to 1,900 in the third quarter," the report stated.
In an exclusive conversation with PUNCH Healthwise, senior child health specialists emphasized that neonatal mortality continues to be a critical measure of the standard of healthcare in any nation.
A pediatric surgeon at Bayero University Kano, Prof. Aminu Mohammad, stated that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of newborn deaths globally, not only within Africa.
While discussing the factors, the pediatrician referred to the first 28 days of life as a crucial phase where significant changes take place from life inside the womb to life following birth, and mentioned that this period also reflects the standard of care present in any nation.
Mohammed stated that several key factors contributing to infant deaths in Nigeria are linked together.
"Generally, these can be divided into three types: maternal factors; the mother's health and the baby's experiences during pregnancy; delivery-related aspects — the standard of delivery procedures, whether the baby was born in a suitable and properly equipped setting, and the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts; and conditions specific to the newborn that they are born with," he stated.
The don also identified infections, issues occurring during birth, and respiratory distress syndrome as the top three direct medical reasons for newborn deaths.
In this situation, the baby's lungs may not be mature enough or there could be other problems, preventing proper oxygen exchange. Such conditions can be life-threatening for a newborn within a few hours. Other challenges include difficulties with feeding — if a child doesn't start feeding within the first hour after birth, the baby is at risk of low blood sugar, which can be deadly.
"Following this are cases of birth asphyxia, where the shift from the womb to independent breathing does not occur properly, resulting in oxygen-related issues. Another significant cause is congenital malformations—abnormalities that the baby has at birth. Common malformations that can lead to a baby's death immediately after birth include heart defects, lung issues, and brain abnormalities," Mohammaed said to PUNCH Healthwise.
The pediatric surgeon also noted that maternal infections like malaria, HIV, and certain sexually transmitted diseases may lead to babies being born already infected or in a weakened condition.
As he explained, anaemia during pregnancy, when the mother has an insufficient amount of blood, can impact her capacity to support and provide proper nourishment to the baby.
"Severe anemia during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for unfavorable results. This condition may also arise in regions with limited access to quality healthcare, particularly where untrained birth attendants handle more deliveries," he mentioned.
Additionally, Dr. Ayodele Renner, a Consultant Paediatrician, associated newborn deaths with the lack of trained professionals during childbirth and financial obstacles in obtaining medical care, among other factors.
He pointed out that preterm birth, defined as babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, is also a major cause of infant deaths in the country. "For those who are not premature, they might pass away due to a condition known as perinatal asphyxia, where the newborn doesn't receive sufficient oxygen before, during, or right after birth."
"The absence of oxygen and inability to breathe results in a condition known as hypoxia, where oxygen levels are extremely low, which can quickly cause death," the child health advocate stated. To address the increasing deaths, the child health expert recommended that the government focus on health education.
He stated, "Raising awareness about the typical reasons for newborn deaths and emphasizing the significance of visiting prenatal clinics to ensure proper monitoring."
Antenatal care and health education serve as crucial preventive measures since any risk factors for newborn deaths, like diabetes, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions detected during prenatal visits, can then be addressed.
He stated that the nation also requires funding for healthcare infrastructure, including both buildings and staff.
This involves qualified staff such as nurses and midwives, and, at the more advanced level, doctors, specialists, obstetricians, and pediatricians who are capable of assisting women during childbirth and educating others to perform similar tasks.
The government can also provide training and education to traditional birth attendants, who are still trusted by many parents. Instead of completely prohibiting these attendants, who are part of the community, we can create training programs for them to recognize risk factors during childbirth so they can refer patients promptly.
"We need to provide them with education and abilities, enroll them, and officially acknowledge their status so they understand how to respond quickly when labor becomes challenging or dangerous," Renner stated.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
