1.24 lakh children fell prey to respiratory diseases

The Asian Age: Mumbai: Sunday, 03 May 2015.

Respiratory diseases have taken the lives of at least 1.24 lakh children between the age group of 0 to 4 in the state from 2001 to 2012.

The diseases that have claimed maximum lives are asthma, lower respiratory diseases, pneumonia and hypoxia birth asphyxia a condition occurring from deprivation of oxygen in infants. The details were procured though an RTI query on the causes of infant deaths in the state.

One of the major causes for higher death according to experts is the non-availability of medicines and vaccines.

“It is strange that till now vaccination for even influenza, a leading respiratory diseases, is not available in backward areas,” said Dr Jesal Seth, senior paediatrician from Fortis Hospital.

She also added that due to non-availability of good medical healthcare units, the infants were more likely to die, as they required immediate and superior medical attention. “Besides, for respiratory disorders, neo-natal care units with advanced medical facilities are needed,” she added.

Hypoxia, birth asphyxia, has been the chief killer with the toll reaching 41,355 deaths. An average of 3,500 children and infants have died of it every year till 2012.

Experts pointed out to the limited number of manpower, presence of extremely few experts in the rural areas and worsening ecology as the main causes for the deaths.

Pneumonia, which is the second largest respiratory disorder, has claimed 20,789 lives from 2001 to 2012. The death toll due to pneumonia has remained constant over the years, with the disease killing 1,800 every year.

Asthma, which has killed a total of 1,668 children, including infants, has however shown a massive decline.

“Requirement of providing pre-mature babies with steroids is high. These are however not available in most regions, which is leading to deaths. Many infections are also caused because of the non administration of medicines to them,” said Dr Girish Maindalkar, paediatrician from Latur and a member of Medical Council of India.