scholarly journals Infection remains a leading cause of neonatal mortality among infants delivered at a tertiary hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1470-1475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ayaz Mustufa ◽  
Razia Korejo ◽  
Anjum Shahid ◽  
Sadia Nasim

Introduction: The current cohort study was conducted to determine the frequency and compare the mortality rate with associated characteristics among low birth weight and normal birth weight infants during the neonatal period at a tertiary healthcare facility, Karachi. Methodology: Close-ended structured questionnaires were used to collect information from the parents of 500 registered neonates at the time of birth. Follow-ups by phone on the 28th day of life were done to determine the mortality among low birth weight and normal birth weight babies during the neonatal period. Results: The neonatal mortality rate ranged from as low as 2.4% in the normal birth weight and 16.4% in the low birth weight categories to as high as 96% in the very low birth weight category. Respiratory distress syndrome (24.2%) and sepsis (18.2%) were reported as the leading causes of neonatal deaths. The babies’ lengths of stay ranged from 2 to 24 hours, and around 90% of neonatal deaths were reported in the first seven days of life. More than 6% of neonates died at home, and 7.6% of the deceased babies did not visit any healthcare facility or doctor before their death. In the 12–15 hours before their deaths, 13.6% of the deceased babies had been unattended. Around 90% of the deceased babies were referred from a doctor or healthcare facility. Conclusions: The present estimates of neonatal mortality are very high among low birth weight and very low birth weight categories. Infectious diseases, including respiratory distress syndrome (24.2%) and sepsis (18.2%), were leading causes of neonatal deaths.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Olack ◽  
Nicole Santos ◽  
Mary Inziani ◽  
Vincent Moshi ◽  
Polycarp Oyoo ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundUnder-five mortality in Kenya has declined over the past two decades. However, the reduction in the neonatal mortality rate has remained stagnant. In a country with weak civil registration and vital statistics systems, there is an evident gap in documentation of mortality and its causes among low birth weight (LBW) and preterm neonates. We aimed to establish causes of neonatal LBW and preterm mortality in Migori County, among participants of the PTBI-K (Preterm Birth Initiative-Kenya) study.MethodsThis was a cross sectional study whereby Verbal and social autopsy (VASA) interviews were conducted with caregivers of deceased LBW and preterm neonates delivered within selected 17 health facilities in Migori County, Kenya. The probable cause of death was assigned using the WHO International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). ResultsBetween January 2017 to December 2018, 3175 babies were born preterm or LBW, and 162 (5.1%) died in the first 28 days of life in 17 participating health facilities in the PTBI-K project. VASA was conducted among 88 (53.7%) neonatal deaths. Almost half (38, 43.2%) of the deaths occurred within the first 24 hours of life. Birth asphyxia (45.5%), neonatal sepsis (26.1%), respiratory distress syndrome (12.5%) and hypothermia (11.0%) were the leading causes of death. In the early neonatal period, majority (54.3%) of the neonates succumbed to asphyxia while in the late neonatal period majority (66.7%) succumbed to sepsis. Delay in seeking medical care was reported for 4 (5.8%) of the neonatal deaths. ConclusionDeaths among LBW and preterm neonates occur early in life due to preventable causes. This calls for enhanced intrapartum and immediate postpartum care interventions targeting asphyxia, sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome and hypothermia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Olack ◽  
Nicole Santos ◽  
Mary Inziani ◽  
Vincent Moshi ◽  
Polycarp Oyoo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Under-five mortality in Kenya has declined over the past two decades. However, the reduction in the neonatal mortality rate has remained stagnant. In a country with weak civil registration and vital statistics systems, there is an evident gap in documentation of mortality and its causes among low birth weight (LBW) and preterm neonates. We aimed to establish causes of neonatal LBW and preterm mortality in Migori County, among participants of the PTBI-K (Preterm Birth Initiative-Kenya) study. Methods Verbal and social autopsy (VASA) interviews were conducted with caregivers of deceased LBW and preterm neonates delivered within selected 17 health facilities in Migori County, Kenya. The probable cause of death was assigned using the WHO International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Results Between January 2017 to December 2018, 3175 babies were born preterm or LBW, and 164 (5.1%) died in the first 28 days of life. VASA was conducted among 88 (53.7%) of the neonatal deaths. Almost half (38, 43.2%) of the deaths occurred within the first 24 h of life. Birth asphyxia (45.5%), neonatal sepsis (26.1%), respiratory distress syndrome (12.5%) and hypothermia (11.0%) were the leading causes of death. In the early neonatal period, majority (54.3%) of the neonates succumbed to asphyxia while in the late neonatal period majority (66.7%) succumbed to sepsis. Delay in seeking medical care was reported for 4 (5.8%) of the neonatal deaths. Conclusion Deaths among LBW and preterm neonates occur early in life due to preventable causes. This calls for enhanced implementation of existing facility-based intrapartum and immediate postpartum care interventions, targeting asphyxia, sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome and hypothermia.


2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Dill Winck ◽  
João Paulo Heinzmann-Filho ◽  
Deise Schumann ◽  
Helen Zatti ◽  
Rita Mattiello ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare somatic growth, lung function, and level of physical activity in schoolchildren who had been very-low-birth-weight preterm infants (VLBWPIs) or normal-birth-weight full-term infants. Methods: We recruited two groups of schoolchildren between 8 and 11 years of age residing in the study catchment area: those who had been VLBWPIs (birth weight < 1,500 g); and those who had been normal-birth-weight full-term infants (controls, birth weight ≥ 2,500 g). Anthropometric and spirometric data were collected from the schoolchildren, who also completed a questionnaire regarding their physical activity. In addition, data regarding the perinatal and neonatal period were collected from the medical records of the VLBWPIs. Results: Of the 93 schoolchildren screened, 48 and 45 were in the VLBWPI and control groups, respectively. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding anthropometric characteristics, nutritional status, or pulmonary function. No associations were found between perinatal/neonatal variables and lung function parameters in the VLBWPI group. Although the difference was not significant, the level of physical activity was slightly higher in the VLBWPI group than in the control group. Conclusions: Among the schoolchildren evaluated here, neither growth nor lung function appear to have been affected by prematurity birth weight, or level of physical activity.


2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-28
Author(s):  
Sabera Khatun ◽  
Fawzia Hossain ◽  
Jannatul Ferdous ◽  
Afroza Chowdhury

ABSTRACT Objectives The incidence of low birth weight babies and the perinatal morbidity and mortality is inter-related. An understanding of the risk factors can help us to reduce their incidence and studying their management and outcome could help us to evolve optimal management strategies. The aim of the study was to find out the incidence of low birth weight and first week neonatal mortality rate. Methods The gestational age of the babies were determined and a comparison of the prenatal mortality ratio was done among vaginal and cesarean deliveries. During the study period all the patients irrespective of their gestational age admitted for delivery were recruited for the prospective analysis. Their gestational age, mode of delivery, birth weight and outcome were collected in a preformed data-sheet. Results During the study period there were 2689 deliveries at BSMMU and among them 301 were low birth weight (LBW), rest were normal birth weight babies. Forty-eight from low birth weight and seven from normal birth weight babies died within first-week of delivery. The LBW babies were grouped in to three groups according to their birth weight, 1-1.5 kg = group one, 1.6-2 kg = group two, 2.1- 2.4 kg = group three. It was found that 70% babies of group I, 40% of group II and 17% of group III were in the gestational age of 28-34 weeks. On the other hand 30% babies of group I, 60% of group II and 83% of group III were in the gestational age of 35-40 weeks. 79.36% of group I, 6.67% of group II and 0.63% of group III died within 7 days of birth. Conclusion Significant difference (p value < 0.001) was observed in first-week neonatal mortality among normal and low birth weight babies. Therefore, it can be concluded that birth weight and gestational age is an important determining factor for early neonatal death.


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