WHO RECOMMENDATIONS
ON
Newborn Health
GUIDELINES APPROVED BY THE
WHO GUIDELINES REVIEW COMMITTEE
UPDATED MAY 2017
WHO RECOMMENDATIONS
ON
Newborn Health
GUIDELINES APPROVED BY THE
WHO GUIDELINES REVIEW COMMITTEE
UPDATED MAY 2017
WHO/MCA/17.07
©
World Health Organization 2017
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iii
Contents
Abbreviations iv
Introduction 1
Promotion of newborn and young infant health and
prevention of newborn and young infant illnesses 3
1. Care of the newborn immediately aer birth 3
2. Postnatal care 4
3. Newborn immunization 6
Management of newborn and young infant illnesses 7
4. Newborn resuscitation 7
5. Management of suspected neonatal sepsis 9
6. Care of the preterm and low-birth-weight newborn 10
7. Care of the newborn of an HIV-infected mother 13
8. Management of other severe conditions 15
— Neonatal seizures 15
— Neonatal jaundice 16
— Necrotizing enterocolitis 17
— Congenital syphilis 17
— Ophthalmia neonatorum 18
iv
Abbreviations
GRADE Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation
GRC Guidelines Review Committee
HIV human immunodeficiency virus
IM intramuscular
IU international units
IV intravenous
LBW low birth weight
NVP nevirapine
VLBW very low birth weight
WHO World Health Organization
1
Introduction
This publication on WHO recommendations related to newborn health is one of four in a series;
the others relate to maternal, child and adolescent health. The objective of this document is to
make available WHO recommendations on newborn health in one easy-to-access document
for WHO sta, policy-makers, programme managers, and health professionals. The compilation
can also help better define gaps to prioritize guideline updates.
This document is meant to respond to the questions:
What health interventions should be the newborn and young infants < 2 months of age
receive and when should s/he receive it?
What health behaviours should a mother/caregiver practise (or not practise)?
WHO produces guidelines according to the highest international standards for guideline
development. The main principles are transparency and minimizing bias in every step of the
process. The process of developing guidelines is documented in WHO Handbook for guideline
development.
1
The development process includes the synthesis and assessment of the quality
of evidence, and is based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and
Evaluation (GRADE) approach. GRADE categorizes the quality (or certainty) of the evidence
underpinning a recommendation as high, moderate, low or very low.
High: further research is very unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of eect;
Moderate: further research is likely to have an impact on our confidence in the eect;
Low: further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the
eect and is likely to change the estimate of eect;
Very low: any estimate of eect is very uncertain.
Once the quality of the
body of evidence on benefits and harms has been assessed, an expert
group formulates the recommendations using a structured evidence to decision framework.
When determining whether to recommend an intervention or not, the expert group carefully
considers the balance of benefits and harms of an intervention, and other factors such as
values and preferences of persons aected by the recommendation, stakeholders’ perceptions
of the acceptability and feasibility of the options and interventions, resource implications, the
importance of the problem, and equity and human rights considerations.
The expert group then decides on the strength of the recommendation – strong or conditional. A
strong recommendation is one where the desirable eects of adhering to the recommendation
outweigh the undesirable eects. Recommendations that are conditional or weak are made
when the expert group is less certain about the balance between the benefits and harms or
disadvantages of implementing a recommendation. Conditional recommendations generally
1
Handbook for guideline development, 2nd edition. Geneva, WHO, 2014.
2
WHO RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEWBORN HEALTH
include a description of the conditions under which the end-user should or should not implement
the recommendation.
The quality of evidence and strength of the recommendation, as well as the link to the source,
are included in this publication. Dierent expert groups may employ dierent terminology in
the guideline processes. We suggest the Reader refer to the Source where more details are
available.
In this publication we have indicated publications which are New – published aer 2013 and
Update – to indicate that the recommendation has been revised since 2013.
3
Promotion of newborn and young
infant health and prevention of
newborn and young infant illnesses
1. CARE OF THE NEWBORN IMMEDIATELY AFTER BIRTH
Immediate drying and additional stimulation
Newly born babies who do not breathe spontaneously aer thorough drying should be
stimulated by rubbing the back 2–3 times before clamping the cord and initiating positive
pressure ventilation. (Weak recommendation, quality of evidence not graded). Source
Suction in newborns who start breathing on their own
Routine nasal or oral suction should not be done for babies born through clear amniotic
fluid who start breathing on their own aer birth. (Strong recommendation, high quality
evidence). Source
Intrapartum suction of mouth and nose at the delivery of head in neonates born through
meconium is not recommended. (Strong recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
Suctioning of mouth or nose is not recommended in neonates born through liquor with
meconium who start breathing on their own. (Weak recommendation, quality of evidence not
graded). Source
Tracheal suctioning should not be performed in newly born babies born through meconium
who start breathing on their own. (Strong recommendation, moderate to low quality evidence).
Source
Suction in newborns who DO NOT start breathing on their own
In neonates born through clear amniotic fluid who do not start breathing aer thorough
drying and rubbing the back 2–3 times, suctioning of the mouth and nose should not be
done routinely before initiating positive-pressure ventilation. Suctioning should be done
only if the mouth or nose is full of secretions. (Weak recommendation, Guideline Development
Group consensus in absence of published evidence). Source
In neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid who do not start breathing on
their own, tracheal suctioning should be done before initiating positive-pressure ventilation.
(Weak (in situations where endotracheal intubation is possible), very low quality evidence).
Source
In neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid who do not start breathing
on their own, suctioning of the mouth and nose should be done before initiating positive-
pressure ventilation. (Weak recommendation, Guidelines Development Group consensus in
absence of published evidence). Source
4
WHO RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEWBORN HEALTH
Cord clamping
Late cord clamping (performed aer 1 to 3 minutes aer birth) is recommended for all births
while initiating simultaneous essential newborn care. (Strong recommendation, moderate
quality evidence). Source
Early cord clamping (<1 minute aer birth) is not recommended unless the neonate is
asphyxiated and needs to be moved immediately for resuscitation. (Strong recommendation,
moderate-quality evidence). Source
Skin-to-skin contact in the first hour of life
Newborns without complications should be kept in skin-to-skin contact with their mothers
during the first hour aer birth to prevent hypothermia and promote breastfeeding. (Strong
recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
Initiation of breastfeeding
All newborns, including low-birth-weight babies who are able to breastfeed, should be put
to the breast as soon as possible aer birth when they are clinically stable, and the mother
and baby are ready. (Strong recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
Vitamin K prophylaxis
All newborns should be given 1 mg of vitamin K intramuscularly [IM] aer birth [aer the
first hour during which the infant should be in skin-to-skin contact with the mother and
breastfeeding should be initiated]. (Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).
Source
Neonates requiring surgical procedures, those with birth trauma, preterm newborns,
and those exposed in utero to maternal medication known to interfere with vitamin K
are at especially high risk of bleeding and must be given vitamin K [1 mg IM]. (Strong
recommendation, moderate quality evidence). Source
2. POSTNATAL CARE
Timing of discharge from the health facility
Aer an uncomplicated vaginal birth in a health facility, healthy mothers and newborns
should receive care in the facility for at least 24 hours aer birth. (Weak recommendation,
low quality evidence). Source
Timing and number of postnatal contacts
If birth is in a facility, the mother and newborn should receive postnatal care during the first
24 hours aer birth before being discharged. If birth is at home, the first postnatal contact
should be as early as possible within 24 hours of birth. At least three additional postnatal
contacts are recommended for all mothers and newborns, on day 3 (48–72 hours), between
day 7–14, and 6 weeks aer birth. (Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence for
newborn outcomes and low quality evidence for maternal outcomes). Source
5
PROMOTION OF NEWBORN AND YOUNG INFANT HEALTH AND PREVENTION OF NEWBORN AND YOUNG INFANT ILLNESSES
Home visits in the first week of life
Home visits in the first week aer birth are recommended for care of the mother and
newborn. (Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence for newborn outcomes and low
quality evidence for maternal outcomes). Source
Assessment of the newborn
The following signs should be assessed during each postnatal care contact and the newborn
should be referred for further evaluation if any of the signs is present: (1) stopped feeding well,
(2) history of convulsions, (3) fast breathing, (4) severe chest in-drawing, (5) no spontaneous
movement, (6) temperature >37.5
o
C, (7) temperature <35.5
o
C, (8) any jaundice in first 24
hours of life, or yellow palms and soles at any age. The family should be encouraged to seek
health care early if they identify any of the above danger signs inbetween postnatal care
visits. (Strong recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
Exclusive breastfeeding
All babies should be exclusively breastfed from birth until 6 months of age. Mothers should
be counseled and provided support for exclusive breastfeeding at each postnatal contact.
(Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence for neonatal outcomes; 6 month duration
based on previous WHO recommendations and an updated Cochrane review). Source
Cord care
Daily chlorhexidine (4%) application to the umbilical cord stump during the first week of life is
recommended for newborns who are born at home in settings with high neonatal mortality
(neonatal mortality rate >30 per 1000). Clean, dry cord care is recommended for newborns
born in health facilities, and at home in low neonatal mortality settings. Use of chlorhexidine
in these situations may be considered only to replace application of a harmful traditional
substance such as cow dung to the cord stump. (Strong situational recommendation,
moderate quality evidence). Source
Keeping the newborn warm
Bathing should be delayed to aer 24 hours of birth. If this is not possible at all due to cultural
reasons, bathing should be delayed for at least 6 hours. Appropriate clothing of the baby for
ambient temperature is recommended, this should be 1–2 layers more than adults and a hat.
The mother and baby should not be separated and should stay in the same room 24 hours a
day. (Strong situational recommendation, based on Guideline Development Group consensus).
Source
6
WHO RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEWBORN HEALTH
3. NEWBORN IMMUNIZATION
All infants should receive their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible aer
birth,preferably within 24 hours. This is crucial in areas of high hepatitis B endemicity,
but important even in intermediate and low endemicity areas. (Strong recommendation,
moderate quality evidence). Source
Oral polio vaccine, including a birth dose (known as zero dose because it does not count
towards the primary series), is recommended in all polio-endemic countries and in countries
at high risk for importation and subsequent spread. The birth dose should be administered
at birth, or as soon as possible aer birth. (Strong recommendation, high quality evidence).
Source
In settings where tuberculosis is highly endemic or in settings where there is high risk of
exposure to tuberculosis a single dose of BCG vaccine should be given to all infants. (Strong
recommendation, high quality of evidence) Guidance for national tuberculosis programmes on
the management of tuberculosis in children, 2nd ed., 2012. Source
Other care
Communication and play should be encouraged. Source
Preterm and low-birth-weight babies should be identified immediately aer birth and
should be provided special care as per existing WHO guidelines. Source
Neonatal vitamin A supplementation
At the present time, neonatal vitamin A supplementation (that is, supplementation within
the first 28 days aer birth) is not recommended as a public health intervention to reduce
infant morbidity and mortality. (Strong recommendation, moderate evidence for mortality-
related outcomes). Source
7
Management of newborn and
young infant illnesses
4. NEWBORN RESUSCITATION
Immediate care aer birth
In newly-born term or preterm babies who do not require positive-pressure ventilation, the
cord should not be clamped earlier than one minute aer birth.
2
(Strong recommendation,
high to moderate quality of evidence). Source
When newly-born term or preterm babies require positive-pressure ventilation, the
cord should be clamped and cut to allow eective ventilation to be performed. (Weak
recommendation, Guidelines Development Group consensus in absence of published evidence).
Source
Newly-born babies who do not breathe spontaneously aer thorough drying should be
stimulated by rubbing the back 2–3 times before clamping the cord and initiating positive-
pressure ventilation. (Weak recommendation, Guidelines Development Group consensus in
absence of published evidence). Source
Suctioning not needed
In neonates born through clear amniotic fluid who start breathing on their own aer birth,
suctioning of the mouth and nose should not be performed. (Strong recommendation, high
quality evidence). Source
In neonates born through clear amniotic fluid who do not start breathing aer thorough
drying and rubbing the back 2–3 times, suctioning of the mouth and nose should not be
done routinely before initiating positive-pressure ventilation. Suctioning should be done
only if the mouth or nose is full of secretions. (Weak recommendation, Guideline Development
Group consensus in absence of published evidence). Source
In the presence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, intrapartum suctioning of the mouth
and nose at the delivery of the head is not recommended. (Strong recommendation, low
quality evidence). Source
In neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid who start breathing on their
own, tracheal suctioning should not be performed. (Strong recommendation, moderate to
low quality of evidence). Source
2
“Not earlier than one minute” should be understood as the lower limit supported by published evidence. WHO
Recommendations for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage (Fawole B et al. Geneva, WHO, 2007) state that the
cord should not be clamped earlier than is necessary for applying cord traction, which the Guidelines Development
Group clarified would normally take around 3 minutes.
8
WHO RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEWBORN HEALTH
In neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid who start breathing on their
own, suctioning of the mouth or nose is not recommended. (Weak recommendation, GDG
consensus in absence of published evidence). Source
SUCTIONING NEEDED
In neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid who do not start breathing on
their own, tracheal suctioning should be done before initiating positive-pressure ventilation.
(Weak (in situations where endotracheal intubation is possible), very low quality evidence).
Source
In neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid who do not start breathing
on their own, suctioning of the mouth and nose should be done before initiating positive-
pressure ventilation. (Weak recommendation, Guidelines Development Group consensus in
absence of published evidence). Source
In settings where mechanical equipment to generate negative pressure for suctioning is
not available and a newly-born baby requires suctioning, a bulb syringe (single-use or easy
to clean) is preferable to a mucous extractor with a trap in which the provider generates
suction by aspiration. (Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
Positive-pressure ventilation
In newly-born babies who do not start breathing despite thorough drying and additional
stimulation, positive-pressure ventilation should be initiated within one minute aer birth.
(Strong recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
In newly-born term or preterm (>32 weeks gestation) babies requiring positivepressure
ventilation, ventilation should be initiated with air. (Strong recommendation, moderate
quality evidence). Source
In newly-born babies requiring positive-pressure ventilation, ventilation should be provided
using a self-inflating bag and mask. (Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence).
Source
In newly-born babies requiring positive-pressure ventilation, ventilation should be initiated
using a face-mask interface. (Strong recommendation, based on limited availability and lack
of experience with nasal cannulae, despite low evidence for benefits). Source
In newly-born babies requiring positive-pressure ventilation, adequacy of ventilation should
be assessed by measurement of the heart rate aer 60 seconds of ventilation with visible
chest movements. (Strong recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
In newly-born babies who do not start breathing within one minute aer birth, priority
should be given to providing adequate ventilation rather than to chest compressions.
(Strong recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
Stopping resuscitation
In newly-born babies with no detectable heart rate aer 10 minutes of eective ventilation,
resuscitation should be stopped. (Weak – relevant to resource-limited settings, very low
quality evidence). Source
In newly-born babies who continue to have a heartrate below 60/minute and no spontaneous
breathingaer 20 minutes of resuscitation, resuscitation should be stopped. (Weak – relevant
to resource-limited settings, very low quality evidence). Source
9
MANAGEMENT OF NEWBORN AND YOUNG INFANT ILLNESSES
Post resuscitation care
Head or whole body cooling should not be done outside well-resourced, tertiary neonatal
intensive care units, because there is potential for harm from this therapy in low-resource
settings. (Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence). Source
5. MANAGEMENT OF SUSPECTED NEONATAL SEPSIS
Prophylactic antibiotics for prevention of sepsis
A neonate with risk factors for infection (i.e. membranes ruptured >18 hours before delivery,
mother had fever > 38 ºC before delivery or during labour, or amniotic fluid was foul smelling
or purulent) should be treated with the prophylactic antibiotics ampicillin (Intramuscular –
IM – or intravenously, IV) and gentamicin for at least 2 days. Aer 2 days, the neonate should
be reassessed and treatment continued only if there are signs of sepsis or a positive blood
culture. (Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
Empirical antibiotics for suspected neonatal sepsis
Neonates with signs of sepsis should be treated with ampicillin (or penicillin) and gentamicin
as the first line antibiotic treatment for at least 10 days. (Strong recommendation, low quality
of evidence). Source
If a neonate with sepsis is at greater risk of staphylococcus infection (e.g. extensive
skin pustules, abscess, or omphalitis in addition to signs of sepsis), they should be given
cloxacillin and gentamicin instead of penicillin and gentamicin. (Strong recommendation,
quality of evidence not graded). Source
Where possible, blood cultures should be obtained before starting antibiotics. If an infant
does not improve in 2–3 days, antibiotic treatment should be changed, or the infant should
be referred for further management. (Strong recommendation, quality of evidence not
graded). Source
UPDATE
Managing possible serious bacterial infection in young infants when referral is
not feasible
Community health workers and home visits for postnatal care
At home visits made as part of postnatal care, community health workers should counsel
families on recognition of danger signs, assess young infants for danger signs of illness and
promote appropriate care seeking. (Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).
Source
Infants 0–6 days with fast breathing as the only sign of illness
Young infants 0–6 days old with fast breathing as the only sign of illness should be referred
to hospital. If families do not accept or cannot access referral care, these infants should
be treated with oral amoxicillin, 50 mg/kg per dose twice daily for seven days, by an
appropriately trained health worker. (Strong recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
10
WHO RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEWBORN HEALTH
Infants 7–59 days with fast breathing as the only sign of illness
Young infants 7–59 days old with fast breathing as the only sign of illness should be treated
with oral amoxicillin, 50 mg/kg per dose twice daily for seven days, by an appropriately
trained health worker. These infants do not need referral. (Strong recommendation, low
quality evidence). Source
Young infants 0–59 days old with clinical severe infection
Young infants 0–59 days old with clinical severe infection whose families do not accept or
cannot access referral care should be managed in outpatient settings by an appropriately
trained health worker with one of the following regimens:
Option 1: Intramuscular gentamicin 5–7.5 mg/kg (for low-birth-weight infants gentamicin
3–4 mg/kg) once daily for seven days and twice daily oral amoxicillin, 50 mg/kg per dose
for seven days. Close follow-up is essential. (Strong recommendation, moderate quality
evidence). Source
Option 2: Intramuscular gentamicin 5–7.5 mg/kg (for low-birth-weight infants gentamicin
3–4 mg/kg) once daily for two days and twice daily oral amoxicillin,50 mg/kg per dose for
seven days. Close follow-up is essential. A careful assessment on day 4 is mandatory. (Strong
recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
Young infants 0–59 days old with critical illness
Young infants 0–59 days old who have any sign of critical illness (at presentation or
developed during treatment of clinical severe infection) should be hospitalized aer pre-
referral treatment. (Strong recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
6. CARE OF THE PRETERM AND LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT NEWBORN
Prevention of hypothermia immediately aer birth
LBW neonates weighing >1200g who do not have complications and are clinically stable
should be put in skin-to-skin contact with the mother soon aer birth and aer drying them
thoroughly to prevent neonatal hypothermia. (Weak recommendation, low quality evidence).
Source
Kangaroo Mother Care and Thermal care for preterm/low birth weight newborns
UPDATE
Kangaroo mother care is recommended for the routine care of newborns weighing 2000g
or less at birth, and should be initiated in health-care facilities as soon as the newborns are
clinically stable. (Strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence). Source
Newborns weighing 2000 g or less at birth should be provided as close to continuous
Kangaroo mother care as possible. (Strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence).
Source
Intermittent Kangaroo mother care, rather than conventional care, is recommended
for newborns weighing 2000g or less at birth, if continuous Kangaroo mother care is not
possible. (Strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence). Source
11
MANAGEMENT OF NEWBORN AND YOUNG INFANT ILLNESSES
Unstable newborns weighing 2000 g or less at birth, or stable newborns weighing less
than 2000g who cannot be given Kangaroo mother care, should be cared for in a thermos-
neutralenvironment either under radiant warmers or in incubators. (Strong recommendation,
very low-quality evidence). Source
There is insuicient evidence on the eectiveness of plastic bags/wraps in providing
thermal care for preterm newborns immediately aer birth. However, during stabilization
and transfer of preterm newborns to specialized neonatal care wards, wrapping in plastic
bags/wraps may be considered as an alternative to prevent hypothermia. (Conditional
recommendation, low-quality evidence). Source
UPDATE
Oxygen therapy and concentration for preterm newborns
During ventilation of preterm babies born at or before 32 weeks of gestation, it is recom-
mended to start oxygen therapy with 30% oxygen or air (if blended oxygen is not available),
rather than with 100% oxygen. (Strong recommendation, very low-quality evidence). Source
The use of progressively higher concentrations of oxygen should only be considered for
newborns undergoing oxygen therapy if their heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute
aer 30 seconds of adequate ventilation with 30% oxygen or air. (Strong recommendation,
very low-quality evidence). Source
UPDATE
Continuous positive airway pressure for newborns with respiratory distress
syndrome
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy is recommended for the treatment of preterm
newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. (Strong recommendation, low-quality
evidence). Source
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy for newborns with respiratory distress
syndrome should be started as soon as the diagnosis is made. (Strong recommendation, very
low-quality evidence). Source
UPDATE
Surfactant administration for newborns with respiratory distress syndrome
Surfactant replacement therapy is recommended for intubated and ventilated newborns
with respiratory distress syndrome. (Conditional recommendation, (only in health-care
facilities where intubation, ventilator care, blood gas analysis, newborn, nursing care and
monitoring are available) based on moderate quality evidence). Source
Either animal-derived or protein-containing synthetic surfactants can be used for surfactant
replacement therapy in ventilated preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome.
(Conditional recommendation, (only in health-care facilities, where intubation, ventilator care,
blood gas analysis, newborn nursing care and monitoring are available), moderate quality
evidence). Source
12
WHO RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEWBORN HEALTH
Administration of surfactant before the onset of respiratory distress syndrome (prophylactic
administration) in preterm newborns is not recommended. (Strong recommendation, low-
quality evidence). Source
In intubated preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome, surfactant should be
administered early (within the first 2 hours aer birth) rather than waiting for the symptoms
to worsen before giving rescue therapy. (Conditional recommendation, (only in health-care
facilities where intubation, ventilator care, blood gas analysis, newborn nursing care and
monitoring are available), low-quality evidence). Source
Feeding of Low-birth-weight (LBW) infants
LBW infants, including those with VLBW, should be fed mother’s own milk. (Strong
recommendation, moderate quality evidence). Source
LBW infants, including those with very low birth weight (VLBW), who cannot be fed mother’s
own milk should be fed donor human milk. (Strong situational recommendation relevant to
settings where safe and aordable milk-banking facilities are available or can be set up, high
quality evidence). Source
LBW infants, including those with VLBW, who cannot be fed mother’s own milk or donor
human milk should be fed standard infant formula. (Weak situational recommendation
relevant for resource-limited settings, low quality evidence). Source
VLBW infants who cannot be fed mother’s own milk or donor human milk should be given
preterm infant formula if they fail to gain weight despite adequate feeding with standard
infant formula. (Weak situational recommendation relevant for resource-limited settings,low
quality evidence). Source
LBW infants, including those with VLBW, who cannot be fed mother’s own milk or donor
human milk should be fed standard infant formula from the time of discharge until 6 months
of age. (Weak situational recommendation relevant for resource-limited settings, low quality
evidence). Source
VLBW infants who are fed mother’s own milk or donor human milk need not be given bovine
milk-based human-milk fortifier. VLBW infants who fail to gain weight despite adequate
breast-milk feeding should be given human-milk fortifiers, preferably those that are human
milk based. (Weak situational recommendation relevant to resource-limited settings, low to
very low quality evidence). Source
VLBW infants should be given vitamin D supplements at a dose ranging from 400 i.u. to 1000
i.u. per day until 6 months of age. (Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
VLBW infants who are fed mother’s own milk or donor human milk should be given daily
calcium (120–140 mg/kg per day) and phosphorus (60–90 mg/kg per day) supplementation
during the first months of life. (Weak recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
VLBW infants fed mother’s own milk or donor human milk should be given 2–4 mg/kg per day
iron supplementation starting at 2 weeks until 6 months of age. (Weak recommendation, low
quality evidence). Source
Daily oral vitamin A supplementation for LBW infants who are fed mother’s own milk or
donor human milk is not recommended at the present time because there is not enough
evidence of benefits to support such a recommendation. (Weak recommendation, low quality
evidence). Source
13
MANAGEMENT OF NEWBORN AND YOUNG INFANT ILLNESSES
Routine zinc supplementation for LBW infants who are fed mother’s own milk or donor
humanmilk is not recommended, because there is not enough evidence of benefits to
support such a recommendation. (Weak recommendation, moderate to low quality evidence).
Source
VLBW infants should be given 10ml/kg per day of enteral feeds, preferably expressed
breast milk, starting from the first day of life, with the remaining fluid requirement met by
intravenous fluids. (Weak situational recommendation relevant to resource-limited settings
where total parenteral nutrition is not possible, low to very low quality evidence). Source
LBW infants should be exclusively breastfed until 6 months of age. (Strong recommendation,
very low quality evidence). Source
LBW infants who need to be fed by an alternative oral feeding method should be fed by
cup (or palladai which is a cup with a beak) or spoon. (Strong situational recommendation
relevant to resource-limited settings, moderate quality evidence). Source
VLBW infants requiring intragastric tube feeding should be given bolus intermittent feeds.
(Weak recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
In VLBW infants who need to be given intragastric tube feeding, the intragastric tube may
be placed either by the oral or nasal route, depending upon the preferences of health-care
providers. (Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
LBW infants who are fully or mostly fed by an alternative oral feeding method should be fed
based on infants’ hunger cues, except when the infant remains asleep beyond 3 hours since
the last feed. (Weak situational recommendation relevant to settings with adequate number of
health care providers, moderate quality evidence). Source
In VLBW infants who need to be fed by an alternative oral feeding method or given intragastric
tube feeds, feed volumes can be increased by up to 30 ml/kg per day with careful monitoring
for feed intolerance. (Weak recommendation, high quality evidence). Source
7. CARE OF THE NEWBORN OF AN HIV-INFECTED MOTHER
UPDATE
HIV Diagnosis
Timing of virological testing
Addition of nucleic acid testing (NAT) at birth to existing early infant diagnosis (EID) testing
approaches can be considered to identify HIV infection in HIV-exposed infants (Conditional
recommendation, low-quality evidence). Source
Point-of care technologies for the diagnosis of HIV infection in infants and children
Nucleic acid testing (NAT) technologies that are developed and validated for use at or near
to the point of care can be used for early infant HIV testing (Conditional recommendation, low
quality evidence). Source
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for HIV serology can be used to assess HIV exposure only in
infants less than 4 months of age. HIV-exposure status in infants and children 4–18 months of
age should be ascertained by undertaking HIV serological testing in the mother (Conditional
recommendation, low-quality evidence).
14
WHO RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEWBORN HEALTH
Rapid diagnostic tests for HIV serology can be used at 9 months to rule out HIV infection
in asymptomatic HIV-exposed infants (Conditional recommendation, low-quality evidence).
Source
Rapid diagnostic tests for HIV serology can be used to diagnose HIV infection in children
older than 18 months following the national testing strategy (Strong recommendation,
moderate quality evidence). Source
Infant prophylaxis
Infants born to mothers with HIV who are at high risk of acquiring HIV2 should receive dual
prophylaxis with AZT (twice daily) and NVP (once daily) for the first 6 weeks of life, whether
they are breastfed or formula fed (Strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence).
Breastfed infants who are at high risk of acquiring HIV, including those first identified as
exposed to HIV during the postpartum period, should continue infant prophylaxis for an
additional 6 weeks (total of 12 weeks of infant prophylaxis) using either AZT (twice daily) and
NVP (once daily) or NVP alone (Conditional recommendation, low-quality evidence). Source
Infant feeding
3
UPDATE
The duration of breastfeeding by mothers living with HIV
For how long should a mother living with HIV breastfeed if she is receiving ART and there is no
evidence of clinical, immune or viral failure?
Mothers living with HIV should breastfeed for at least 12 months and may continue
breastfeeding for up to 24 months or longer (similar to the general population) while being
fully supported for ART adherence (see the WHO consolidated guidelines on ARV drugs for
interventions to optimize adherence). (Strong recommendation, low quality of evidence 12
months, very low quality of evidence 24 months).
The Guideline Development Group agreed that recommendation 1 should be framed by the
following statement.
In settings where health services provide and support lifelong ART, including adherence
counselling, and promote and support breastfeeding among women living with HIV, the
duration of breastfeeding should not be restricted.
“Mothers known to be HIV-infected (and whose infants are HIV uninfected or of unknown HIV
status) should exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first six months of life, introducing
appropriate complementary foods thereaer and continue breastfeeding.”
“Breastfeeding should then only stop once a nutritionally adequate and safe diet without breast
milk can be provided.”
Source
In settings where national authorities promote and support HIV-infected women to breast-
feed and receive ARV interventions
Mothers known to be HIV-infected should exclusively breastfeed their HIV uninfected
infants or infants who are of unknown HIV status for the first 6 months of life. (Strong
recommendation, high quality evidence). Source
3
These recommendations were unchanged by the Guidelines Development Group in 2013.
15
MANAGEMENT OF NEWBORN AND YOUNG INFANT ILLNESSES
In settings where national promote and support HIV-infected women to avoid all breastfeed-
ing
Mothers known to be HIV-infected should only give commercial infant formula milk as a
replacement feed to their HIV-uninfected infants or infants who are of unknown HIV status,
when specific conditions are met:
a. safe water and sanitation are assured at the household level and in the community, and,
b. the mother, or other caregiver can reliably provide suicient infant formula milk to
support normal growth and development of the infant; and,
c. the mother or caregiver can prepare it cleanly and frequently enough so that it is safe and
carries a low risk of diarrhoea and malnutrition; and,
d. the mother or caregiver can, in the first six months, exclusively give infant formula milk;
and
e. the family is supportive of this practice; and,
f. the mother or caregiver can access health care that oers comprehensive child health
services.
(Strong recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
8. MANAGEMENT OF OTHER SEVERE CONDITIONS
Neonatal seizures
Clinically apparent seizures in the neonate should be treated if they last more than 3 minutes
or are brief serial seizures. (Strong recommendation, quality of evidence not graded). Source
In specialized care facilities where electroencephalography is available, all electrical
seizures, even in the absence of clinically apparent seizures, should also be treated. (Strong
context-specific recommendation, quality of evidence not graded). Source
In all neonates with seizures, hypoglycaemia should be ruled out and treated if present
before antiepileptic drug treatment is considered. (Strong recommendation, quality of
evidence not graded). Source
If facilities for measuring glucose are not available, consider empirical treatment with
glucose. (Weak context-specific recommendation, quality of evidence not graded). Source
If there are clinical signs suggestive of associated sepsis or meningitis, central nervous
system infection should be rule out by doing a lumbar puncture, and treated if present with
appropriate antibiotics. (Strong recommendation, quality of evidence not graded). Source
If facilities for lumbar puncture are not available, consider empirical treatment with
antibioticsfor neonates with clinical signs of sepsis or meningitis. (Weak, context-specific
recommendation, quality of evidence not graded). Source
In all neonates with seizures, serum calcium should be measured (if facilities are available)
and treated if hypocalcaemia is present. (Strong context-specific recommendation, quality of
evidence not graded). Source
In the absence of hypoglycaemia, meningitis, hypocalcaemia or another obvious underlying
etiology such as hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy, intracranial haemorrhage or infarction,
pyridoxine treatment may be considered before antiepileptic drug treatment in a specialized
centre where this treatment is available. (Weak context-specific recommendation, quality of
evidence not graded). Source
16
WHO RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEWBORN HEALTH
Phenobarbital should be used as the first-line agent for treatment of neonatal seizures;
phenobarbital should be made readily available in all settings. (Strong recommendation,
very low quality evidence). Source
In neonates who continue to have seizures despite administering the maximal tolerated
dose of phenobarbital, either midazolam or lidocaine may be used as the second-line
agent for control of seizures [use of lidocaine requires cardiac monitoring facilities]. (Weak
recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
In neonates with normal neurological examination and/or normal electroencephalography,
consider stopping antiepileptic drugs if neonate has been seizure-free for >72 hours; the
drug(s) should be reinstituted in case of recurrence of seizures. (Weak recommendation, very
low quality evidence). Source
In neonates in whom seizure control is achieved with a single antiepileptic drug, the drug
can be discontinued abruptly without any tapering of the doses. (Weak recommendation,
quality of evidence not graded). Source
In neonates requiring more than one antiepileptic drug for seizure control, the drugs may
be stopped one by one, with phenobarbital being the last drug to be withdrawn. (Weak
recommendation, quality of evidence not graded). Source
In the absence of clinical seizures, neonates with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy need not
to be given prophylactic treatment with phenobarbital. (Strong recommendation, moderate
quality evidence). Source
Where available, all clinical seizures in the neonatal period should be confirmed by
electroencephalography. (Strong context-specific recommendation, quality of evidence not
graded). Source
Electroencephalography should not be performed for the sole purpose of determining the
etiology in neonates with clinical seizures. (Strong recommendation, quality of evidence not
graded). Source
Radiological investigations (ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance
imaging) of the cranium/head should not be performed to determine the presence or
absence of clinical seizures or to evaluate the eicacy of treatment with antiepileptic drugs
in neonates. (Strong recommendation, quality of evidence not graded). Source
Radiological investigations may be done as a part of the comprehensive evaluation of theetiology
of neonatal seizures or to determine prognosis in neonates with seizures. (Weak context-specific
recommendation, quality of evidence not graded). Source
Neonatal jaundice
Monitoring jaundice and serum bilirubin
Clinicians should ensure that all newborns are routinely monitored for the development of
jaundice and that serum bilirubin should be measured in those at risk:
— in all babies if jaundice appears on day 1
— in preterm babies (<35 weeks) if jaundice appears on day 2
— in all babies if palms and soles are yellow at any age
(Strong recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
17
MANAGEMENT OF NEWBORN AND YOUNG INFANT ILLNESSES
Serum bilirubin cut-os for phototherapy and exchange transfusion
Term and preterm newborns with hyperbilirubinaemia should be treated with phototherapy
or exchange transfusion guided by the following cut-o levels of serum hyperbilirubinaemia.
(Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
AGE
PHOTOTHERAPY EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION
HEALTHY NEWBORNS
>35 WEEKS GESTATION
NEWBORNS <35 WEEKS
GESTATION
HEALTHY NEWBORNS
>35 WEEKS GESTATION
NEWBORNS <35 WEEKS
GESTATION
Day 1 Any visible jaundice
260 mmol/L
(15 mg/dL)
220 mmol/L
(10 mg/dL)
Day 2
260 mmol/L
(15 mg/dL)
170 mmol/L
(10 mg/dL)
425 mmol/L
(25 mg/dL)
260 mmol/L
(15 mg/dL)
Day 3
310 mmol/L
(18 mg/dL)
250 mmol/L
(15 mg/dL)
425 mmol/L
(25 mg/dL)
340 mmol/L
(20 mg/dL)
Stopping phototherapy
Phototherapy should be stopped once serum bilirubin is 50 mmol/l (3 mg/dl) or below the
phototherapy threshold. (Weak recommendation, quality of evidence not graded). Source
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Antibiotics for treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis
Young neonates with suspected necrotizing enterocolitis should be treated with IV or IM
ampicillin (or penicillin) and gentamicin as first line antibiotic treatment for 10 days. (Strong
recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
Congenital syphilis
Symptomatic or high risk infants
In infants with confirmed congenital syphilis or infants who are clinically normal, but whose
mothers had untreated syphilis, inadequately treated syphilis (including treatment within
30 days of delivery) or syphilis that was treated with non-penicillin regimens, the WHO STI
guideline suggests aqueous benzyl penicillinor procaine penicillin.
Dosages:
— Aqueous benzyl penicillin 100 000–150 000 U/kg/day intravenously for 10–15 days
— Procaine penicillin 50 000 U/kg/day single dose intramuscularly for 10–15 days
Remarks: If an experienced venipuncturist is available, aqueous benzyl penicillin may be pre-
ferred instead of intramuscular injections of procaine penicillin. (Conditional recommendation,
very low quality evidence). Source
Asymptomatic or low risk infants
In infants who are clinically normal and whose mothers had syphilis that wasadequately
treated with no signs of reinfection, the WHO STI guideline suggestsclose monitoring of the
infants.
Remarks: The risk of transmission of syphilis to the fetus depends on a number of factors,
including maternal titres from non-treponemal tests (e.g. RPR), timing of maternal treatment
and stage of maternal infection, and therefore this recommendation is conditional. If treatment
18
WHO RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEWBORN HEALTH
is provided, benzathine penicillin G 50 000 U/kg/day single dose intramuscularly is an option.
(Conditional recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
Ophthalmia neonatorum
Treatment of eye infection
In neonates with gonococcal conjunctivitis, the WHO STI guideline suggests one of the
following treatment options:
— ceriaxone 50 mg/kg (maximum 150 mg) IM as a single dose
— kanamycin 25 mg/kg (maximum 75 mg) IM as a single dose
— spectinomycin 25 mg/kg (maximum 75 mg) IM as a single dose.
Remarks: Due to the large net benefit with treatment, good practice dictates that neonates
should be treated for gonococcal conjunctivitis. The choice of treatment may depend on the
cost and quality of the medicine in dierent settings and on equity considerations. Side-eects
should be monitored in neonates. (Conditional recommendation, very low quality evidence).
Source
In neonates with chlamydial conjunctivitis, the WHO STI guideline recommends treatment
with azithromycin 20 mg/kg/day orally one dose daily for 3 days over erythromycin 50 mg/
kg/ day orally in 4 divided doses daily for 14 days.
Remarks: This is a strong recommendation given the potential for the risk of pyloric stenosis
with the use of erythromycin in neonates. In some settings, azithromycin suspension is not
available and therefore erythromycin may be used. Side eects should be monitored with the
use of either medication. (Strong recommendation, very low quality evidence). Source
Prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum
For all neonates, the WHO STI guideline recommends topical ocular prophylaxis for the
prevention of gonococcal and chlamydial ophthalmia neonatorum. (Strong recommendation,
low quality evidence). Source
For ocular prophylaxis, the WHO STI guideline suggests one of the following options for topical
application to both eyes immediately aer birth:
— tetracycline hydrochloride 1% eye ointment
— erythromycin 0.5% eye ointment
— povidone iodine 2.5% solution (water-based)
— silver nitrate 1% solution
— chloramphenicol 1% eye ointment.
Remarks: Recommendations 5 and 6 apply to the prevention of both chlamydial and
gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum. Cost and local resistance to erythromycin, tetracycline
and chloramphenicol in gonococcal infection may determine the choice of medication. Caution
should be taken to avoid touching eye tissue when applying the topical treatment and to
provide a water-based solution of povidone iodine. DO NOT USE ALCOHOL-BASED POVIDONE
IODINE SOLUTION.
(Conditional recommendation, low quality evidence). Source
