Following the corona crisis: an alarming increase in the rate of early discharges from the neonatal wards in less than 36 hours | Faithful stake from the medical section

Annual Premature Status Report: Following the corona crisis: an alarming increase in the rate of early discharges from the neonatal wards in less than 36 hours.

An alarming decrease in the vaccination of premature infants for the RSV virus, which is more dangerous for premature infants than the corona virus. All newborns to mothers infected with corona were without symptoms of the virus. Lehab association: increase of 50% and more requests for mental support.

The report published by "The forum for premature babies" On the occasion of International Prematurity Awareness Month, this year the focus is on the consequences of the Corona crisis on the quality of care for premature babies in Israel and the challenges it poses. In addition, concerns were expressed about an increase in the rate of early discharges from the neonatal wards, and a decrease in the vaccination of premature infants for the RSV virus during the winter period was also reported. This virus is even more dangerous for premature babies than the corona virus.

Dr. Shmuel Tsangan Points out that fortunately all the newborns of mothers who were infected with corona were without symptoms of corona, because it was found that the virus does not pass from mother to baby.. Also, a large part of the newborns did not receive mother's milk, even though the corona virus is not found in the breast milk of mothers confirmed to have the virus.."

Dr. Tsangan adds: "We call on the Ministry of Health to invest in the establishment of preemies with separate rooms for prematures, as is recommended in the Western world, and in the establishment of housekeeping departments to reduce the damage caused by separating parents from their babies. On this occasion, we welcome the establishment of the first breast milk bank in Israel and call on the Ministry of Health to complete the procedure for allocating the budget for the purchase of breast milk from the bank and thereby prevent its closure."

BLHB association It was reported that the corona crisis greatly intensified the mental distress and anxiety of the parents of premature babies. In recent times there has been an increase of 50% and more in requests for assistance and mental support against the backdrop of the Corona crisis."