Delay in providing treatment to infants often leads to health complications, which could prove fatal. Representational Pic

Mumbai has a grave situation on its hands. As many as 4,934 children die every year in the city before their first birthday. According to data sought exclusively by mid-day from the civic administration, 29,609 infants (aged 0-1) died in the city from 2010-15. Simply put, over 13 infants die every day in the city — a number that is higher than the average track deaths (9) recorded in Mumbai every day.

From 2010-15, Mumbai registered 5,54,965 deaths (3,26,753 males and 2,28,212 females). Of these 29,609 (16,154 boys and 13,455 girls) were infants.

Don’t ignore diarrhoea
Dr Kiran Coelho, head of the department of gynaecology, Lilavati Hospital, says diarrhoea is the most common cause of death in the age group of 0-4. Besides, parents often don’t consult paediatricians for, what they deem, minor illnesses. “All children under the age of 5 should be taken only to paediatricians for treatment. Besides, an incomplete course of treatment could lead to drug resistance, which could hamper child’s health further. Also, mothers often don’t breastfeed properly, which weakens the child's immunity,” explains Coelho.