Surveillance of congenital defects (CDs) consists of: case detection, data collection and submission, coding, classification, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of information. Developing surveillance systems allows countries to have their own data to assess the size of the problem, evaluate its impact from different perspectives and assess the effect of interventions.
The mortality burden associated with congenital defects (CD) is relevant globally and regionally. In 2016, the global prevalence of CD reached 82,890,000 cases. One out of five deaths within the first 28 days of life is due to CD. In addition to neonatal mortality due to CD, it contributes to fetal mortality.
Congenital defects (CDs) are the second leading cause of neonatal mortality and a very important cause of disease and disability.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, there are more than 15 million births every year. According to estimates published in 2018, approximately 15 out of every 1,000 will be at risk of dying before their first birthday and 10 in 1,000 before their first month of life.
One in 5 of the deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life is due to some CD.
Attention should be focused on the 5 key moments advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other situations associated with care of newborns*.
1. Before contact with the patient.
2. After contact with the patient.
3. Before invasive procedures.
4. After contact with secretions and body fluids.
5. Whenever preparing materials or equipment that are or have been in contact with patients and after contact with areas close to the patient.
* Whenever entering or leaving the hospital unit or isolation area.
Hand hygiene with alcohol or alcohol at 70% concentration with 2% glycerin can replace handwashing with water and soap when there is no visible dirt, especially in procedures at low risk for infection or in emergency situations.
In this procedure it is important to ensure the solution is rubbed on all surfaces of the hands, the fingers, and the spaces between the fingers, leaving the hands to dry spontaneously.
Surgical hand antisepsis
I Rub the hands with water and antiseptic detergent solution, including all surfaces, spaces
between the fingers, and nails; also wash the forearms.
II Rinse with running water.
III Wipe with sterile compress.
Note: this procedure should take 3 to 5 minutes for the first surgery and 2 to 3 minutes for subsequent surgeries.
Simple handwashing (plain soap) or antiseptic handwashing (soap containing antiseptic)
I. Rub the hands with water and liquid soap or antiseptic detergent solution for approximately 15 seconds, including all the surfaces, spaces between the fingers, and nails. Also wash the forearms.
II. Rinse with running water.
III. Wipe with paper towel.
The hands constitute the main form of transmission of microorganisms during patient care. The skin is a possible reservoir for various microorganisms that can be transferred from one surface to another. The skin of the hands hosts two principal microorganism populations: those belonging to the resident microbiota and those belonging to transient microbiota. Transient microbiotas colonize the most superficial layer of the skin, which allows their mechanical removal by handwashing with water and soap, although they are eliminated more easily when an antiseptic solution is used.
All newborns should be given 1 mg of vitamin K intramuscularly after birth. Early administration of vitamin K prevents early bleeding due to vitamin K deficiency (hemorrhagic disease of the newborn) and prevents subsequent bleeding. Vitamin K should be applied immediately after the first postnatal hour during which skin-to-skin contact and the onset of breastfeeding should have occurred.