Neonatal mortality remains a major health challenge across the world, which involves neonatal sepsis and other related factors of prematurity. Though many strides have been done in reducing NMR, there is a need for more appropriate interventions and strategies directed towards addressing the rise in the escalation of AMR. Combating AMR will be critical in improving neonatal survival rates while giving each newborn a healthier start into life globally.

The newborn period is the key period for infant health, and the first 28 days of life are critically important-both for survival and as a base to set lifetime health and development. Neonatal deaths globally have witnessed a significant decline over the past couple of decades. The neonatal mortality count has significantly reduced dropping from a high of 5 million in 1990 to as low as 2.3 million as of 2022. However, this decline notwithstanding, neonatal mortality is still staggeringly high across low-and middle-income nations.

Neonatal mortality rates are 22 per 1000 live births in India. Neonatal sepsis and prematurity are the main causes of neonatal deaths in these tragic events. Recognizing the gravity of the issue the Indian government started the Indian Newborn Action Plan (INAP) in 2014. The goal is to take NMR down to the single digits by 2030. This initiative has brought in several key interventions, including antenatal care (vaccines, micronutrient supplementation), skilled birth attendance, clean birth practices, and neonatal resuscitation techniques. More promisingly, postnatal interventions, including early initiation of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, have been proven to work well in improving newborn survival rates.

Despite these improvements, one of the biggest concerns in neonatal care today is the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which seriously threatens efforts to reduce neonatal mortality.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi evolve over time and become resistant to commonly used antibiotics and other medications. This resistance makes infections more difficult to treat, increasing the risk of mortality and complicating treatment options. The World Health Organization has classified AMR as one of the most urgent global health threats since it not only causes death and disability but also places immense pressure on healthcare systems, significantly raising the economic burden.

The sources of AMR are many, including poor hygiene and infection control in healthcare settings, overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Contributing factors to this rapidly growing problem are antibiotic prescriptions for patient needs that do not require them and failure to complete antibiotic courses, as prescribed.

AMR and Newborn Health

For neonates, the risk is much more vital for AMR. Neonates are particularly prone to developing infections due to their rather weak immune systems. Neonatal sepsis, severe bacterial infection, is one of the leading causes of neonate deaths and it often manifests complications when it is because of drug-resistant pathogens.

According to Dr. Apoorva Taduri, Consultant Neonatologist, "Neonatal sepsis accounts for a significant proportion of neonatal deaths, and AMR is making it worse. MDR pathogens cause around 30% of neonatal sepsis mortality globally.

Maternal health and care are also factors influencing AMR in neonates. Over-prescription of antibiotics during pregnancy increases the risk of neonatal sepsis and the development of multi-drug-resistant pathogens in newborns. This calls for prudent use of antibiotics during pregnancy and at the time of delivery. In fact, studies indicate that indiscriminate use of antibiotics in mothers has a direct impact on neonatal health, which may eventually lead to resistant infections in newborns.

One of the major issues is that the drug-resistant bacteria are causing an increasing number of healthcare-associated infections in the neonatal care settings, which include NICUs. Infections by such bacteria prove to be challenging to treat; they require more advanced, expensive interventions, and the period of risk of mortality and morbidity is extended.

Counteracting AMR in Neonatal Care

To combat AMR and reduce neonatal mortality a multifaceted approach is necessary. Dr. Taduri emphasizes the continuation of the strategies outlined by the Indian Newborn Action Plan (INAP), specifically in reducing neonatal sepsis and improving infection control. However, to combat AMR more must be done to ensure proper use of antibiotics in both maternal and neonatal care settings.

Key strategies for reducing AMR in neonatal care are:

1. Improving Infection Prevention Practice: This implies, therefore, that more efforts would be made regarding stricter hospital hygiene standards, strict equipment sterilization after its usage and even maintaining adequate hand hygiene. Enhanced infection control practices greatly impact minimizing AMR pathogens distribution.

2. Antibiotic Stewardship- Teaching the healthcare providers how not to use antibiotics is a crucial thing in preventing overuse prescription. Antibiotic stewardship programs are designed to promote use of antibiotics only when truly required; appropriate drug, dose and length of treatment should be taken.

3. Improved access to WASH: Access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental aspect of preventing infections in mothers and newborns. WASH interventions such as clean birthing practices, can reduce the risk of neonatal sepsis due to unsanitary conditions.

4. Maternal Health Strengthening: Proper maternal care, such as proper vaccination, antenatal steroids, and supplementation of micronutrients, can reduce the risk of prematurity and neonatal infection. Prevention of infection in mothers is the first step towards prevention of infection in newborns.

5. Early Diagnosis and Treatment: Early identification and treatment of neonatal infections are very important. This includes proper screening for sepsis and the use of appropriate antibiotics based on the local resistance patterns. It also involves ensuring that infants receive adequate neonatal care, such as those provided in Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs).

The rise of antimicrobial resistance is a global health challenge that requires urgent action. Combating AMR requires a coordinated effort from governments, healthcare systems and communities worldwide. In neonatal care, addressing AMR is essential to further reducing neonatal mortality rates and ensuring that every newborn has the opportunity to thrive.

As Dr. Taduri concludes, "While we have made substantial progress in reducing neonatal mortality, the emerging risk of antimicrobial resistance creates a major challenge for our efforts. Combating AMR requires a global collective effort, with priorities on infection prevention, responsible use of antibiotics, and enhancement of healthcare practices to ensure a healthier future for all newborns."

Dr Apoorva Taduri is a Consultant Neonatologist at Fernandez Hospital

As summers are here and so are the pool sessions, an Instagram post is making rounds on the social media platform by Ilia Ototiuk, who calls himself an ambassador of discipline, mental and physical wellbeing. The post lists down the reason why kids get sick after a swimming session. The post mentions that the reason is not water, but something else. Health And Me decided to fact check each claim made on the post, and here is what we found.

Claim #1: “The problem isn’t cold water or swallowing pool water.”

Fact Check

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), swallowing or inhaling contaminated pool water can absolutely cause illness. particularly gastrointestinal infections like diarrhea. Germs such as Cryptosporidium can survive for over a week in properly treated pools. While temperature itself doesn’t directly cause colds, swallowing pool water can spread pathogens.

Also Read: India Sees Rising Death Risk From Chronic Diseases While Other Countries Report Decline, Finds Lancet Study

Verdict: Cold water alone won’t give a child a cold, but contaminated water can cause infections.

Claim #2: “The real immune crash happens right after getting out. The body is warm, skin is wet...”

Fact Check

The claim that wet skin and drafts cause an “immune system shutdown” isn’t supported by medical evidence. What actually happens is explained by US Masters Swimming: sudden exposure to cold water can trigger cold water shock, affecting heart rate, breathing, and circulation. Extended exposure can lead to hypothermia or afterdrop (continued cooling even after leaving the water).

Verdict: The body does not “shut down immunity.” Instead, risks are linked to cold-water shock and hypothermia, especially if kids don’t warm up quickly after swimming.

Claim #3: “Sitting around in wet swimsuits for 5–10 minutes makes the body vulnerable.”

Fact Check

As per Texas A&M Health and the Mayo Clinic, sitting in wet swimsuits doesn’t cause colds, but it can cause fungal infections (like yeast infections or jock itch) and skin irritation from chafing. Prolonged dampness makes an ideal environment for fungi and bacteria.

Verdict: The real risk is fungal or bacterial skin infections, not colds. Parents should change kids into dry clothes quickly after swimming.

Claim #4: “Not drying hair causes sinus overload and colds.”

Fact Check

The Cleveland Clinic explains that wet hair itself does not cause colds. Viruses such as rhinovirus are the culprits, not damp scalps. While cold environments may help viruses spread more easily, wet hair is not a direct cause of runny noses, sore throats, or fevers.

Verdict: Leaving hair wet or letting it "air dry" won’t cause colds. However, drying kids’ hair after swimming can help them stay comfortable and prevent feeling chilled.

Claim #5: “Skipping post-swim snacks weakens immunity.”

Fact Check

According to the BBC 2023 report, post-exercise nutrition is important, especially within 30–60 minutes after swimming. The body needs carbohydrates to replenish glycogen and protein to repair muscles. Skipping food doesn’t directly cause infections, but poor recovery can increase fatigue and stress, making the body less resilient.

Verdict: It’s true that kids should eat a balanced snack after swimming, ideally carbs + protein, but saying “immunity weakens” without food is an exaggeration.

"I may or may not burst some bubbles with this comment, but what if I told you that your pelvis was in fact not too small and or that your baby's head was in fact not too big?" says Amber Grimmett, a US-based Pregnancy and

Postpartum Coach. In her post, she also writes that the position most women give birth in, also called the lithotomy position or lying on your back is "against your body's natural birth mechanics". In a video she posted on her Instagram @fierce.not.fragile, she talks about pelvis and baby's head size, explaining how the birthing position that has been made standard may not be right.

She says that when the mother lies flat on her back with knees wide, her tailbone cannot move freely and the pelvic outlet, the space baby needs to exit, "literally closes off".

This, she says, creates a domino effect. Then comes longer labors, more interventions, and higher risk of pelvic floor dysfunction. "Your body was designed to birth, but not in positions that fight against its natural design," she writes.

What Does Science say?

We did a fact check on her claim and here's what we found.

For most women in the United States today, giving birth means lying on a bed, feet in stirrups, and being told when and how to push. But mounting research, including a 2014 study published in The Journal of Perinatal Education, titled, 'Healthy Birth Practice #5: Avoid Giving Birth on Your Back and Follow Your Body’s Urge to Push' suggests this common practice, known as the supine or lithotomy position—might not actually be the safest or most effective way to bring a baby into the world.

How Birth Ended Up on Its Back

For centuries, women birthed in positions that worked with gravity, standing, squatting, sitting, or even using stools or ropes for leverage. These upright positions made physiological sense: gravity helped the baby descend, shortened labor, and reduced maternal fatigue.

Then came King Louis XIV of France. Fascinated by childbirth, he reportedly preferred to watch his mistresses deliver, and lying flat gave him the best view. The practice caught on among European aristocracy and eventually spread widely.

By the early 1900s, births had largely moved from homes to hospitals. Doctors saw childbirth less as a natural process and more as a medical procedure. Putting women on their backs gave physicians easier access for interventions such as forceps delivery, anesthesia, and continuous fetal monitoring. Convenience for the doctor—not necessarily benefit for the mother or baby, became the standard.

The Problem with the Supine Position

Research over the past three decades has consistently shown that giving birth lying flat has no clear benefits for either mother or baby. In fact, there are multiple disadvantages:

• Longer Labor: When women lie flat, the baby must work against gravity, which can slow descent.
• Narrower Pelvis: The supine position can actually reduce pelvic diameter, making delivery more difficult.
• Increased Risk of Interventions: Supine births are linked with more use of forceps, vacuum deliveries, and episiotomies.
• Reduced Blood Flow: Lying on the back can compress major blood vessels behind the uterus, reducing blood flow to the baby.
• More Perineal Trauma: Directed, forceful pushing while on the back is associated with more tears and a weakened pelvic floor, raising the risk of urinary incontinence later.

Despite this, U.S. survey data shows that nearly 70% of births still happen in supine or lithotomy positions, with fewer than 10% of women using traditional squatting, standing, or side-lying positions.

The Case for Upright and Spontaneous Pushing

Standing, kneeling, and squatting use gravity to help the baby descend and can even widen the pelvic outlet, giving more room for delivery. Even side-lying, which is gravity-neutral, has been shown to reduce perineal tearing.

Equally important is how women push. Many hospitals still direct women to push forcefully for long periods, holding their breath. But evidence shows that spontaneous, self-directed pushing—where the woman follows her own urge, improves oxygenation, reduces maternal stress, and lowers the risk of fetal distress.

In fact, research has found that directed pushing only shortens labor by about 13 minutes on average, a difference not considered clinically significant but one that may come at the cost of pelvic floor damage.

Rethinking Hospital Policies

Some hospitals have strict time limits on how long the second stage of labor (pushing phase) can last before recommending interventions such as a C-section, even if there are no signs of danger for mother or baby. Recent guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now acknowledge that the second stage can safely last much longer, up to five hours for first-time mothers with an epidural.

However, there is little emphasis on letting women move freely, change positions, or delay pushing until their natural urge returns. This gap between research and practice persists, though midwives and doulas are often more supportive of these evidence-based approaches.

Getting children to be active and socialize is a big part of parenting. Even kids, no matter how energetic they are, like lazing around and relaxing. However, this habit can catch on quick, but they are not entirely at fault for it.

A new study has found a strong connection between what parents do and how active their kids are. It turns out that children are more likely to be "couch potatoes" or full of energy based on what they see their moms and dads doing every day.

In a study published in the journal Sports Medicine and Health Science. Researchers showed that when parents have an active routine, their children are less likely to sit still for long periods. The study followed 182 kids and their parents for a week and found that children of inactive parents were more sedentary, while those with active parents were more active themselves.

Do Mothers Influence Their Kids More Than Fathers?

Interestingly, the study discovered that mothers have more than twice the influence of fathers on their children's physical activity. This finding held true even when the researchers considered other things like the family’s income or the child’s age. The experts believe that active parents not only know how important exercise is but also actively encourage their kids. They might be more likely to limit screen time and support activity by taking their children to the park, buying sports equipment, or setting up games in the backyard.

How Can We Encourage Kids to Be More Active?

While a lack of time or safe places to play can make it hard for kids to be active, this study highlights how important a parent's example is. The results suggest that by promoting active habits within families, we can improve the health of the next generation. The researchers believe these findings can be used to create public campaigns and policies that encourage families to live a more active lifestyle together.

How Can Lack Of Activity in Children Affect Their Health?

According to the American Heart Association, physical activity is vital for everyone, but it’s especially important for helping children grow into healthy adults. They suggests that kids and teens (ages 6–17) should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. In a world full of digital distractions, it can be a challenge to get kids moving, but teaching them healthy habits now can set them up for a lifetime of well-being.

Kids are naturally active, but they often become less so as they get older, especially girls. If your child's interests change, that's okay—the key is to help them find a new activity they enjoy.

• Be active yourself and find ways to get the whole family moving together.
• Encourage your kids to choose activities they genuinely like. Don't use physical activity as a form of punishment.
• Reduce the amount of time they spend on devices, watching TV, or playing video games.
• Give them toys and equipment like bikes, skateboards, and balls.
• Encourage them to join sports or other activities like dance or swimming. Explore local parks, pools, and bike paths.
• If your child is currently inactive, begin with small, gradual steps to avoid injury or discouragement.
• Reward and encourage your kids for their efforts to help them stay motivated.