AIMS & Research-1
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Cochin (2002)
As head of department of Newborn services in Arnrita Institute of Medical Sciences accomplished a medical break through in the country by using sildenafil citrate along with nitric oxide in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
Dr.Raiiv's Crusade of the Decade : 1992-2002 Strategies to Prevent Hypoxic Ishchemic Encephalopathy
(Delivery related oxygen lack to the brain which causes the baby to be mentally and physcally handicapped)
Dr. Rajiv had identified the most important problem confronting an unborn baby was its potential risk of getting sub optimal oxygen via the placenta and getting brain damaged during labour. This was the ultimate misfortune, which could befall a family whose golden dreams of their offspring are shattered due to this potentially preventable problem. It is sad to state that up to 60% of admissions to any newborn ICU would have an element of labour related brain damage. Dr. Rajiv analyzed the complexity of this problem and launched a multi pronged attack with a five year feed back strategy on the various programmes being implemented.
Programmes-and Strategies
Maternal Literacy Pertaining to Pregnancy Care:
Strategic Use of Media
Use of media (Asianet Pulse, Vanitha etc.,) to highlight to the pregnant woman the various pit falls and warning signals of a complicated labour and delivery. The use of Cardio Toco Graphic (CTG) monitoring, biophysical profile by ultra sound and Doppler flow studies of the placenta can easily predict oxygenation lack during delivery and give warning signals to have early intervention done before brain damage occurs. The media hype and the maternal awareness created encouraged even small nursing homes to use CTG monitoring in labour. Currently CTG monitoring is widely used making the future of the unborn baby's brain safe in Kerala. This simple low cost strategy of maternal literacy pertaining to newborn care has paid wide dividends to the pregnant population of Kerala.
High-risk concept for mother and baby:
Dr. Rajiv by conducting various conferences and interaction with the government was able to convince the medical fraternity on transfer of high risk mother to a good center using the caption. Mother is the best transport incubator.
The babies who evidenced problems at birth were given objective criteria for early referral to an advanced center.
