Neonatal mortality in a district hospital setup

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the causes and risk factors of neonatal mortality, in a non-tertiary district hospital nursery. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and duration of study: This study was carried out in the Neonatal Unit of Social Security Hospital Muzuffar Garh, Pakistan from 1st May 2004 to 30th April 2005. Patients and methods: All newborns admitted in the nursery during study period were counted and the expired ones were evaluated in detail for the cause of death. Results: A total of 410 neonates were admitted during study period, 53.65% were male and 46.35 females. 47.22% were admitted within 1st 24 hours of their life, and 61.66% within 72 hours of birth. 56.66% of the expired neonates were low birth weight. Neonatal sepsis being the commonest cause of death (44%), 35% being of EOS and 65% cases of LOS. 2"d commonest cause of neonatal death was birth asphyxia (22%) and the third commonest cause was prematurity (19%) with its complications. Other causes of neonatal mortality were neonatal jau ndice (2.77%), meconium aspiration syndrome (1.66%), hyaline membrane `disease (6.66%), neural tube defects (1.11%) and congenital heart disease (1.66%). Many babies had more than one of the above said causes. Conclusion: Neonatal sepsis, birth asphyxia and prematurity are the major killers in nurseries.