COVID-19 preparedness—a survey among neonatal care providers in low- and middle-income countries

• DOI: 10.1038/s41372-021-01019-4
• Publication Date: 2021-04-13T13:14:22Z
• Authors: Claus Klingenberg; Sahil K. Tembulkar; Anna Lavizzari; Charles C. Roehr; Danielle E. Y. Ehret; Nestor Eduardo Vain; Gonzalo Luis Mariani; Omer Erdeve; Victor Javier Lar...; Sithembiso Velaphi; Hon Kin Cheong; Surender Singh Bisht; Khawaja Ahmad Irf...; Alexander G. Stev...; Nisreen Al-Kafi; Jean-Michel Roue; Alejandra Barrero...; Eleanor J. Molloy; John A. F. Zupancic; Jochen Profit
• Keywords: Pandemic; Preparedness; Staffing; Isolation; Cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective To evaluate COVID-19 pandemic preparedness, available resources, and guidelines for neonatal care delivery among health providers in low- middle-income countries (LMICs) across all continents. Study design Cross-sectional, web-based survey administered between May June, 2020. Results Of 189 invited participants 69 LMICs, we received 145 (77%) responses from 58 (84%) countries. The provides significant challenges to care, particularly low-income Respondents noted exacerbations of preexisting shortages staffing, equipment, isolation capabilities. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 9/35 (26%) respondents increased mortality non-COVID-19-infected infants. Clinical practices on cord clamping, isolation, breastfeeding varied widely, often not line with World Health Organization guidelines. Most family access restrictions, limited shared decision-making. Conclusions Many LMICs face an exacerbation resource during the pandemic. Variable approaches deviations provide opportunities international collaborative improvement.