Visiting nurse program aims to prevent Native American infant deaths

Abstract

SISSETON, S.D. - Toshina Oneroad’s infant daughter has sparkling eyes and a sunny disposition, but her tiny cough caught the nurse’s attention. Jodi Lutjens, a visiting nurse with the Indian Health Service clinic near here, 90 miles south of Fargo, took the infant’s temperature. Normal. A good sign. At the tender age of 1 month, the baby is vulnerable to infection – just the sort of pitfall Lutjens is trying to avoid through prevention and education, the front line of defense against infant mortality.