Ask the mother:

  • Has the infant stopped feeding?.
  • Has the infant had any convulsions?.

LOOK, LISTEN and FEEL:

  • Count the breaths in one minute and repeat the count if 60 b/m or more.
  • Look for severe chest indrawing (the lower chest moving in during inspiration).
  • Look and listen for grunting.
  • Look at the umbilicus. Is it red or draining pus?.
  • Measure the temperature (if the axillary temperature is 37.5°C or above (or feels hot to touch) or temperature less than 35.5°C (or feels cold to touch).
  • Look for the young infant's movement.
  • Does the infant move when stimulated?.
  • Does the infant not move even when stimulated?.
  • Look for skin pustules.
  • Look for jaundice (it is a yellow discoloration of the skin or mucous membrane).
  • Are the skin and eyes yellow.?
  • Are the palms and soles yellow?.
  • Is the baby less than 24 hours or more than 14 days?.

Assess, classify and treat all sick young infant for bacterial infection (from birth up to 2 months)

SignsClassificationTreatment
  • Stop feeding or not feeding well or
  • Fast breathing (60 breaths per minute or more) or
  • Convulsions or
  • Severe chest in drawing or
  • Grunting or
  • Fever (37.5°C or above or feels hot) or low body temperature (less than 35.5°C or feels cold) or
  • Movement only when stimulated or no movement even when stimulated.
VERY SEVERE DISEASE
  • Give more frequent breastfeeding if the child can breastfeed.
  • Advise the mother about kangaroo care( wrap the whole body with warm cloth including the head.
  • Advise the mother on the need for further referral.
  • Refer URGENTLY to the health centre or hospital.
  • Red umbilicus or draining pus from the
  • umbilicus OR
  • Skin pustules.
LOCAL BACTERIAL INFECTION
  • Give more frequent breast-feeding If the child can breastfeed.
  • Advise the mother about kangaroo care.
  • Advise the mother on the need for further referral.
  • Refer to the health centre or /hospital.
  • Advise the mother to keep the young infant warm on the way to health centre or hospital.
  • None of the signs of severe disease or local bacterial infection.
INFECTION UNLIKELY
  • Advise the mother to give home care to the young infant
  • Advise the mother when to return immediately

Last modified: Tuesday, 21 February 2017, 4:51 PM