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Care priority and warning signs
Care priority
Home Care Advice
Red flags
- Development of any sign of illness (poor feeding, fever, coldness, fast/difficult breathing, lethargy).
Assessment
- Confirm absence of all signs listed for PSBI / Very Severe Disease.
- Confirm absence of Fast Breathing (if age 7-59 days).
- Confirm absence of Severe Chest Indrawing.
- Confirm absence of Umbilical redness/pus.
- Confirm absence of Skin pustules.
Classification
- No signs of PSBI/Very Severe Disease AND No signs of Local Bacterial Infection AND No Fast Breathing (if 7-59 days) -> INFECTION UNLIKELY
Key features
- Absence of any sign classifying as PSBI/VSD, Pneumonia, or Local Bacterial Infection.
- Indicates low likelihood of significant bacterial infection requiring antibiotics.
- Focus is on home care advice and monitoring.
Management
Non-pharmacological management
- Advise mother on home care for the young infant:
- Keep infant warm (skin-to-skin, appropriate clothing/wrapping).
- Exclusively breastfeed frequently, day and night.
- Ensure good hygiene (handwashing).
- Advise on signs requiring immediate return.
Pharmacological treatment
- No antibiotics needed.
Follow-up
- No specific follow-up needed unless another problem identified.
- Advise return immediately if any danger signs develop.
Counselling points
- Reassure mother that the infant does not show signs of serious infection.
- Provide counselling on essential newborn care: warmth, exclusive breastfeeding, hygiene.
- Advise WHEN TO RETURN IMMEDIATELY: Difficulty feeding, becomes sicker, develops fever, feels cold, fast breathing, difficult breathing.
- Address any other concerns the mother has.
Differential diagnosis
- Consider other non-infectious issues if infant has symptoms (e.g., colic, feeding difficulties not meeting PSBI criteria, mild jaundice).
Prevention
- Essential newborn care (warmth, breastfeeding, hygiene).
- Prompt care seeking if illness develops.
References
IMCI Chart Booklet - Page 33, Page 46 (Home Care Advice)