scholarly journals Trends, patterns and cause-specific neonatal mortality in Tanzania: a hospital-based retrospective survey

Author(s):  
Chacha D Mangu ◽  
Susan F Rumisha ◽  
Emanuel P Lyimo ◽  
Irene R Mremi ◽  
Isolide S Massawe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Globally, large numbers of children die shortly after birth and many of them within the first 4 wk of life. This study aimed to determine the trends, patterns and causes of neonatal mortality in hospitals in Tanzania during 2006–2015. Methods This retrospective study involved 35 hospitals. Mortality data were extracted from inpatient registers, death registers and International Classification of Diseases-10 report forms. Annual specific hospital-based neonatal mortality rates were calculated and discussed. Two periods of 2006–2010 and 2011–2015 were assessed separately to account for data availability and interventions. Results A total of 235 689 deaths were recorded and neonatal deaths accounted for 11.3% (n=26 630) of the deaths. The majority of neonatal deaths (87.5%) occurred in the first week of life. Overall hospital-based neonatal mortality rates increased from 2.6 in 2006 to 10.4 deaths per 1000 live births in 2015, with the early neonates contributing 90% to this rate constantly over time. The neonatal mortality rate was 3.7/1000 during 2006–2010 and 10.4/1000 during 2011–2015, both periods indicating a stagnant trend in the years between. The leading causes of early neonatal death were birth asphyxia (22.3%) and respiratory distress (20.8%), while those of late neonatal death were sepsis (29.1%) and respiratory distress (20.0%). Conclusion The majority of neonatal deaths in Tanzania occur among the early newborns and the trend over time indicates a slow improvement. Most neonatal deaths are preventable, hence there are opportunities to reduce mortality rates with improvements in service delivery during the first 7 d and maternal care.

2019 ◽  
pp. 124-130
Author(s):  
Rasmiya Lafta ◽  
Husam Habeeb

Background: Neonatal mortality accounts for nearly half of the deaths of children under the age of five, the main leading causes for which are respiratory distress, infection, and congenital anomalies. Action plans, which call for the elimination of preventable deaths of newborn babies, set specific targets to reduce neonatal mortality. This retrospective descriptive study was conducted in the Basra Teaching Hospital for maternity and childhood from January 2019 to February 2020, including all the neonates who were admitted in the first and second neonatal care units of the hospital. Aim: This study aims to study the main causes of neonatal deaths in newborn babies in the neonatal care units at the main maternity and pediatric hospital of the Basra government. Patients and methods: A total of 716 neonatal deaths were registered along with days of life before death and the cause of death; the cases were classified as early (1–6) days death and late (7–28) days death. Results: In this study, we found that the main causes of early neonatal death were respiratory distress syndrome (68.4%), congenital anomalies (11.4%), infection (10.9%), birth asphyxia (7.2%), and other neonatal conditions (inborn error of metabolism, hemorrhagic disease of newborn, severe anemia, and unspecified causes) (2.1%), while for late neonatal death, respiratory distress (27.2%), congenital problems (17.7%), infection (45.6%), birth asphyxia (6.1%), and other conditions (3.4%) were cited. Conclusions: It is important to direct the health resources towards preventable causes of neonatal deaths both before, during and after the delivery of a baby when the higher risk factors are preventable (prematurity, birth problems, and sepsis). Using all available resources to decrease preterm labors and mother education toward pregnancy and to improve the facilities and quality of neonatal care at the delivery room and neonatal care units. Keywords: neonate, prematurity, congenital problems, birth asphyxia


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuradha D. ◽  
Rajesh Kumar S. ◽  
Aravind M. A. ◽  
Jayakumar M. ◽  
J. Ganesh J.

Background: Every year, nearly four million newborn babies die in the first month of life. India carries the single largest share (around 25-30%) of neonatal deaths in the world. Neonatal deaths constitute two thirds of infant deaths in India. 45% of the deaths occur within the first two days of life. It has been estimated that about 70% of neonatal deaths could be prevented if proven interventions are implemented effectively at the appropriate time. It was further estimated that health facility-based interventions can reduce neonatal mortality by 23-50% in different settings. Facility-based newborn care, thus, has a significant potential for improving the survival of newborns in India. This research has been planned with an aim to study the profile of pattern of admissions in a SNCU and their outcomes following admission and management in the unit.Methods: All babies referred for neonatal problems (less than 28 days) and admitted in NICU will be included. Both term and preterm babies will be considered. The criteria for admission includes various causes like low birth weight, preterm, birth asphyxia, respiratory distress, hyperbilirubinemia, congenital anomalies, risk factors (maternal, neonatal, prenatal), infections and outcome will be analysed.Results: Among the 2927 admissions term babies and boys outnumbered. The common causes for admission were birth asphyxia, respiratory distress, low birthweight and preterm. Most babies had an uncomplicated stay. The mortality in the extramural neonates was due to neonatal sepsis, extreme preterm and congenital malformations.Conclusions: Intensive and interventional management, along with good neonatal monitoring and care can reduce the mortality and improve the survival of low birth weight babies and other treatable problems. Thus, a combined effort of management by pediatricians, nursing care, neonatal intensive care unit can improve the survival rates of neonates.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
H B Amoakoh ◽  
K Klipstein-Grobusch ◽  
I A Agyepong ◽  
P Zuithoff ◽  
M Amoakoh-Coleman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mhealth interventions promise to bridge gaps in clinical care but documentation of their effectiveness is limited. We evaluated the utilization and effect of an mhealth clinical decision-making support intervention that aimed to improve neonatal mortality in Ghana by providing access to emergency neonatal protocols for frontline health workers. Methods In the Eastern Region of Ghana, sixteen districts were randomized into two study arms (8 intervention and 8 control clusters) in a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Institutional neonatal mortality data were extracted from the District Health Information System-2 during an 18-month intervention period. We performed an intention-to-treat analysis and estimated the effect of the intervention on institutional neonatal mortality (primary outcome measure) using grouped binomial logistic regression with a random intercept per cluster. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02468310). Results There were 65,831 institutional deliveries and 348 institutional neonatal deaths during the study period. Overall, 47·3% of deliveries and 56·9% of neonatal deaths occurred in the intervention arm. During the intervention period, neonatal deaths increased from 4·5 to 6·4 deaths and, from 3·9 to 4·3 deaths per 1,000 deliveries in the intervention arm and control arm respectively. The odds of neonatal death was non-significantly higher in the intervention arm compared to the control arm (odds ratio 2·10; 95% CI (0·77;5·77); p = 0·15). The correlation between the number of protocol requests and the number of deliveries per intervention cluster was 0·71 (p = 0·05). Conclusions Non-significant higher risk of neonatal death observed in intervention clusters may be due to problems with birth and death registration, unmeasured and unadjusted confounding, and unintended use of the intervention. The findings underpin the need for careful and rigorous evaluation of mhealth intervention implementation and effects. Key messages Supposedly effective interventions must be evaluated in context before they are scaled-up. Mechanisms influencing outcomes in context must be considered in the design and evaluation of interventions.


1970 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-82
Author(s):  
M Shrestha ◽  
BL Bajracharya ◽  
DS Manandhar

Over 9 million deaths occur each year in the perinatal and neonatal periods globally. 98% of these deaths take place in the developing world. Nepal has a high neonatal mortality rate (NMR) of 38.6 per 1000 live births (2001). Two thirds of the newborn deaths usually occur in the first week of life (early neonatal death). Newborn survival has become an important issue to improve the overall health status and for achieving the millennium developmental goals of a developing country like Nepal. Aims and Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the causes of early neonatal deaths (ENND) at KMCTH in the two-year period from November 2003 to October2005 (Kartik 2060 B.S. to Ashoj 2062). Methodology: This is a prospective study of all the early neonatal deaths in KMCTH during the two-year study period. Details of each early neonatal death were filled in the standard perinatal death audit forms of the Department. Results: Out of the 1517 total births in the two-year period, there were 10 early neonatal deaths (ENND). Early neonatal death rate during the study period was 6.7 per 1000 live births and early neonatal death rate (excluding less than 1 kg) was 6.1 per 1000 live births The important causes of early neonatal deaths were extreme prematurity, birth asphyxia, congenital anomalies and septicaemia. During the study period, there was no survival of babies with a birth weight of less than 1 kg. Among the maternal characteristics, 80% of the mothers of early neonatal deaths were aged between 20-35 years. 50% of the mothers were primigravida. 50% of the mothers of ENNDs had delivered their babies by caesarean section.Discussion: Most of the early neonatal deaths were due to extreme prematurity. Birth asphyxia was the second most important cause of early neonatal deaths. 70% of ENNDs were among LBW babies. Prevention of premature delivery, proper management of very low birth weight babies and early detection and appropriate management of perinatal hypoxia have become important interventional strategies in reducing early neonatal deaths in KMCTH.Conclusion: Early neonatal mortality at KMCTH is fairly low. Good care during pregnancy, labour and after the birth of the baby has helped to achieve these results. Low cost locally made equipments were used to manage the sick newborns. Reduction of early neonatal deaths require more intensive care including use of ventilators, surfactant and parenteral nutrition and prevention of preterm births Key words: Early neonatal death (ENND), neonatal mortality   doi:10.3126/jnps.v27i2.1584 J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol 27(2), p.79-82


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1869
Author(s):  
Nitin Mehkarkar ◽  
Vijay Baburao Sonawane

Background: India has a high Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) of 31 per 1000 live births and rural being 34 whereas urban being 17 (2011). Two thirds of the newborn deaths usually occur in the first week of life. Newborn survival has become an important issue to improve the overall health care goals. This study is carried out to identify primary causes of early neonatal deaths and to ascertain the factors affecting early neonatal mortality.Methods: This is a prospective study of all the early neonatal deaths in tertiary hospital of Maharashtra over two years. Details of each early neonatal death were filled in the standard perinatal death proforma.Results: Out of the 2073 total births, there were 75 early neonatal deaths (END) which is nearly 36.18 per 1000 live births. The important causes of END were severe birth asphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome and septicemia. About 50% of deaths were observed in mothers with age < 20 years, 25% deaths observed in mothers of age group 20-29 years, and similar percentage is with age >30 years. Most of the early neonatal deaths were due to Birth asphyxia and RDS was the second most important cause of early neonatal deaths. 70% of ENDs were among LBW babies. Prevention of premature delivery, proper management of very low birth weight babies and early detection and appropriate management of perinatal hypoxia have become important interventional strategies in reducing early neonatal deaths.Conclusions: Early Neonatal Mortality (ENM) at Tertiary Hospital is fairly high. In present study, early neonatal death rate of 36.18 per 1000 live births is observed which significantly higher than reported in literature.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245065
Author(s):  
Alhassan Abdul-Mumin ◽  
Cesia Cotache-Condor ◽  
Sheila Agyeiwaa Owusu ◽  
Haruna Mahama ◽  
Emily R. Smith

Neonatal deaths now account for more than two-thirds of all deaths in the first year of life and for about half of all deaths in children under-five years. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts up to 41% of the total burden of neonatal deaths worldwide. Our study aims to describe causes of neonatal mortality and to evaluate predictors of timing of neonatal death at Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Ghana. This retrospective study was conducted at TTH located in Northern Ghana. All neonates who died in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from 2013 to 2017 were included and data was obtained from admission and discharge books and mortality records. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess predictors of timing of neonatal death. Out of the 8,377 neonates that were admitted at the NICU during the 5-year study period, 1,126 died, representing a mortality rate of 13.4%. Of those that died, 74.3% died within 6 days. There was an overall downward trend in neonatal mortality over the course of the 5-year study period (18.2% in 2013; 14.3% in 2017). Preterm birth complications (49.6%) and birth asphyxia (21.7%) were the top causes of mortality. Predictors of early death included being born within TTH, birth weight, and having a diagnosis of preterm birth complication or birth asphyxia. Our retrospective study found that almost 3/4 of neonatal deaths were within the first week and these deaths were more likely to be associated with preterm birth complications or birth asphyxia. Most of the deaths occurred in babies born within health facilities, presenting an opportunity to reduce our mortality by improving on quality of care provided during the perinatal period.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Tappis ◽  
Marwa Ramadan ◽  
Josep Vargas ◽  
Vincent Kahi ◽  
Heiko Hering ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To examine neonatal mortality burden and trends in refugee camps between 2006 and 2017.Methods: Refugee population and mortality data were exported from the United Nations High Commissioner (UNHCR) Health Information System (HIS) database. Tableau was used to export the data. Stata was used for data cleaning and statistical analysis. Neonatal mortality burdens and trends in refugee camps were analyzed and compared to national and subnational neonatal mortality rates captured by household surveys.Findings: 150 refugee camps in 21 countries were included in this study, with an average population of 1,725,433 between 2006 and 2017. A total of 663,892 live births and 3,382 neonatal deaths were captured during this period. Annual country-level refugee camp neonatal mortality rates (NMR) ranged from 12 to 56 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births. In most countries and years where national population-based surveys are available, refugee camp NMR as reported in the UNHCR HIS was lower than that of the immediate host community.Conclusion: The UNHCR HIS provides insights into the neonatal mortality burden among refugees in camp settings and issues to consider in design and use of routine health information systems to monitor neonatal health in sub-national populations. Increased visibility of neonatal deaths and stillbirths among displaced populations can drive advocacy and inform decisions needed to strengthen health systems. Efforts to count every stillbirth and neonatal death are critical, as well as improvements to reporting systems and mechanisms for data review within broader efforts to improve the quality of neonatal care practices within and outside of health facilities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Duah Dwomoh

Abstract Background Ghana did not meet the Millennium Development Goal 4 of reducing child mortality by two-thirds and may not meet SDG (2030). There is a need to direct scarce resources to mitigate the impact of the most important risk factors influencing high neonatal deaths. This study applied both spatial and non-spatial regression models to explore the differential impact of environmental, maternal, and child associated risk factors on neonatal deaths in Ghana. Methods The study relied on data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (GDHS) and the Ghana Maternal Health Survey (GMHS) conducted between 1998 and 2017 among 49,908 women of reproductive age and 31,367 children under five (GDHS-1998 = 3298, GDHS-2003 = 3844, GDHS-2008 = 2992, GDHS-2014 = 5884, GMHS-2017 = 15,349). Spatial Autoregressive Models that account for spatial autocorrelation in the data at the cluster-level and non-spatial statistical models with appropriate sampling weight adjustment were used to study factors associated with neonatal deaths, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Population density, multiple births, smaller household sizes, high parity, and low birth weight significantly increased the risk of neonatal deaths over the years. Among mothers who had multiple births, the risk of having neonatal deaths was approximately four times as high as the risk of neonatal deaths among mothers who had only single birth [aRR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.63–7.17, p < 0.05]. Neonates who were perceived by their mothers to be small were at a higher risk of neonatal death compared to very large neonates [aRR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.19–3.63, p < 0.05]. A unit increase in the number of children born to a woman of reproductive age was associated with a 49% increased risk in neonatal deaths [aRR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.30–1.69, p < 0.05]. Conclusion Neonatal mortality in Ghana remains relatively high, and the factors that predisposed children to neonatal death were birth size that were perceived to be small, low birth weight, higher parity, and multiple births. Improving pregnant women’s nutritional patterns and providing special support to women who have multiple deliveries will reduce neonatal mortality in Ghana.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1582
Author(s):  
Jayalakshmi Pabbati ◽  
Preethi Subramanian ◽  
Mahesh Renikuntla

Background: A baby’s weight at birth is a strong indicator of newborn health and nutrition. Low birth weight (LBW) babies are more susceptible to morbidities and mortality in early neonatal period than normal birth weight (NBW) babies. Among neonatal deaths, 80% occurs in LBW / preterm babies and 75% of total neonatal deaths occur in early neonatal period. The present study was undertaken to know the incidence and early neonatal outcome of LBW babies in rural area.Methods: Prospective observational study was conducted in babies born with <2.5 kg (LBW) birth weight.Results: The incidence of LBW babies was 25.07% with almost an equal contribution from preterm (50.46%) and Term Intra Uterine Growth Restricted (IUGR) (49.53%) babies. The most common morbidity found in LBW babies was Jaundice (40.09%) followed by respiratory distress (18.16%), sepsis (8.72%) and apnea (4.48%). Preterm-LBW babies had more morbidities in terms of apnea (100%), birth asphyxia (88.88%), respiratory distress (87.01%%), sepsis (80.55%) and jaundice (67.64%). Early neonatal mortality was 21.22 per 1000 live births. Mortality was 100% for babies <1 kg in birth weight, 16% in 1-1.499 kg group and 0.75% in 1.5-2.499 kg group in early neonatal period. According to gestational age, mortality in preterm-LBW babies was 88.88% and 11.11% in Term IUGR-LBW babies. The most common cause of death in LBW babies was birth asphyxia (44.44%) followed by hyaline membrane disease (HMD) (33.33%).Conclusions: The present study revealed that preterm babies contributed 50% to incidence of LBW babies. Morbidity and mortality in LBW babies were inversely related to birth weight and gestational age.


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