Study Of Infants Deaths and Pre-Lacteal Feeding Practices Using Verbal Autopsy as A Tool in Dehradun

Background: In many countries across the world, the practice of giving pre lacteal feed to new born babies especially in India even before lactation has been seen as a common cultural practice which results in many complications. This study was conducted to see any relation between pre lacteal feeding and infant deaths in the target population. Methodology: The survey was done on all the house of the deceased children residing in our field practice areas by visiting their houses. Results: Our study shows that out of 54 infants, 32 (59.2 %) had been given pre lacteal feeds. While 22 (40.7 %) had not received any pre lacteal feeds out of these 32 deceased children almost 50 % expired during the neonatal period. Conclusion In our present study it was observed that large number of newborns can be saved if prelacteal feeding practices are stopped.