(ThePatriotWire)- In response to reports from Public Health Scotland that newborn deaths were higher than predicted in both September 2021 and March 2022, the Scottish Government announced an investigation into the matter.
According to a press release, the review will look at all deaths reported in Scotland between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022 to see whether anything may have caused the rise. Everything found will be used to inform suggestions and steps to raise the standard of care for mothers and babies.
Ironically, the statement read that once the review team is created, it is anticipated that the job will be finished in no more than nine months.
According to Scottish Daily Express, the number of baby deaths under four weeks old rose to at least 18 in March (4.6 per 1,000 births) and as much as 21 in September (2021) (4.9 per 1,000 births).
Every death is tragic for the families concerned, which is why, earlier this year, Public Health Minister Ms. Todd pledged to conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the rise.
Todd said she knows how trying this period is for anyone affected, and she would advise them to seek out support if they so choose. The Scottish Government website and National Bereavement Care Pathways Scotland both include information about resources and assistance.
Neonatal mortality, which is defined as death within 28 days of delivery, is characterized as infant mortality rates that are greater than two per 1,000 births on average. Infant mortality rates vary from month to month.
The neonatal mortality rate reached 4.8 per 1000 live births for the second time since records began in July 2017 and the second time in six months, well beyond the “control limit,” which is an upper warning threshold.
Although specialists referred to the statistics as “very alarming,” they did not clearly link them to the coronavirus, despite the fact that the virus was thought to be involved.
Nothing in the evaluation shall be repeated that has already been the subject of another review, investigation, or audit process.
In an interview with a national newspaper earlier this year, University of Edinburgh maternal and fetal medicine specialist Dr. Sarah Stock said she believes the numbers are disturbing, and she doesn’t think we know why.
However, we do know that it is not neonatal Covid because infant Covid-19 infection rates are quite low and infant Covid-related deaths are, thankfully, extremely rare.
