Editorial Published on May 23, 2022

 

Keep Scientific Temper, Transform Society..

Jayasree C

 

a. Editor in Chief, For the editorial team of “Fetus and Newborn”

 

Dear Colleagues, 

Greetings from the Editor’s desk!

Early detection of anomalies and interventions will definitely benefit patients and society at large. In this issue, we discuss 2 different scenarios one of which is regarding the modern scientific advancements which aids in the early detection of Down’s syndrome while the other discusses the neonatal issues and problems leading to increased IMR in a section of marginalised population in Kerala.

Every year around 6000 babies are born with Down’s syndrome. The actual incidence may be more since many are undetected. Newer scientific advancements have defined more definite parameters for early detection of Down’s syndrome through radiological as well as biochemical assessment early in the first trimester. Early detection helps the couple to take decisions and also primes them on what to expect, decide the place of delivery and treatment of its associated morbidities and also about the support systems available.

Decreased fertility, increased maternal and infant mortality are issues of focus among the tribal population of Attappadi. Many projects and interventions are executed spending crores of rupees targeting this tribal population of around 30,000 people. In one of such projects institution-based care and social interventions were executed with co-operation of a tertiary care centre near the tribal hamlet. The study focusses on the various clinical problems observed during the institutionalised care of these neonates. The study also throws light on the areas to be focussed for future interventions. Such studies and interventions among the marginalised society is the need of the hour.