Doctors and researchers are raising alarms over a growing health threat of infections among newborn babies in the Bugisu region, These illnesses not only put newborns at risk of death, but can also cause long-term problems with brain development, affecting how children grow, learn, and thrive. Ms Joy Khamuka, a mother of two from Bumukali Village, Kaato Sub-county in Manafwa District, said her youngest child fell seriously ill just days after birth.
“He kept crying and refused to breastfeed, I thought it was normal. But when we rushed him to the hospital, they said he had a serious infection,” she said. Ms Khamuka’s son was diagnosed with neonatal sepsis and treated at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.
Although he survived, the journey hasn’t been easy. “The treatment was expensive, and I had to stop working. Now I worry if he will grow up like other children. Sometimes, he just stares and doesn’t respond when I talk to him,” she said Ms Abigail Musilo, a first-time mother from Nakaloke in Mbale City, said her baby was born early and later diagnosed with an infection that required immediate treatment. “He was put on IV drip right after delivery.
The doctors told me it was a bacterial infection. I’d never even heard of it before. He’s one year old now, but doesn't speak or sit properly. I wonder if it’s because of the infection,” she said.
Neonatal infections, encompassing conditions such as sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia, are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Uganda.
A study conducted at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala revealed that approximately 12.8 percent of neonates presenting with symptoms of sepsis had a positive blood culture, with Staphylococcus aureus being the predominant pathogen.
Nationally, the incidence of neonatal sepsis in healthcare facilities was reported at 17.4 cases per 1,000 live births between 2016 and 2020. This rate varied across different regions and healthcare settings. In Eastern Uganda, which includes the Bugisu region, a study using chlorhexidine gel for cord care found a 3.0 percent incidence of omphalitis among newborn babies.
Home births were associated with a higher risk, with newborn babies at home being twice as likely to develop omphalitis compared to those born in health facilities. Omphalitis is a bacterial infection of the umbilical cord stump and surrounding tissues.
Dr Milton Masaba, a senior gynaecologist from Bugisu Sub-region, said infections in the neonatal period can disrupt critical developmental processes, potentially leading to long-term cognitive and neurological issues. "When babies get sick early on, it can impact how their brains grow and develop.
It's really important for doctors to catch and treat these infections quickly, and careful monitoring is essential to give these young minds the best chance to thrive and reach their full potential," he said. According to medics, understanding the root causes of neonatal infections is crucial in formulating effective prevention strategies.
Risk factors include prematurity, low birth weight, prolonged labour, cesarean section deliveries, and maternal infections. Additionally, inadequate antenatal care and home births attended by unskilled personnel further exacerbate the risk of infections.
Ms Stella Abigail Kisolo, the Assistant District Health Officer for Maternal and Child Health in Mbale, said there is a need for better oversight and quality control during deliveries. "As someone focused on maternal and child health, I've realised that while we track the number of deliveries and successful births, we often overlook the quality of the babies born," she said.
Ms Kisolo urges midwives and doctors to shift their focus from merely counting services provided to evaluating the quality and long-term impact on child development.
Dr Miriah Kemigisha from CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda emphasises the importance of nutrition in combating infections: "Essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals are critical for proper brain growth and function,’’ she said.
She added: "Malnutrition affects brain development and can lead to cognitive delays." She also highlights that combining adequate nutrition with timely medical intervention can significantly reduce the risk of infections. Professor David Mukunya, the head of maternal and child health epidemiology at Busitema University, advocates for comprehensive follow-up care for newborns.
"We advocate for closer follow-up of children who had severe infections. It's important not to forget about them after discharge. Continued assessment and stimulation can help them catch up with peers,’’ he said. He suggests that community health workers or hospital follow-ups can facilitate the process, ensuring that affected children receive the necessary support to overcome developmental challenges.
Research
A recent study by Busitema University has unveiled a concerning link between neonatal infections and impaired brain development. Professor David Mukunya, the head of maternal and child health epidemiology at Busitema University, said the effects of infections can be profound and long-lasting, influencing their overall quality of life.
“Our research highlights that infants who experience infections in the early stages of life often face challenges in cognitive function, motor skills, and language development as they grow,” he said. The study, involving 400 children from Budaka and Mbale districts, utilised a new assessment method from the World Health Organisation to evaluate early child development.
The findings suggest that babies who had infections during their first four weeks of life tend to have poorer brain growth by the age of two compared to those who did not experience such infections. This revelation calls for a paradigm shift in neonatal care, emphasising the need for early detection and intervention to mitigate long-term developmental challenges.
