Pattern of neonatal mortality in a government teaching institute
Sangamnerkar, M.; Sutaria, U.D.; Shrotri, A.N.
Asia-Oceania Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 14(2): 219-225
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0389-2328 PMID: 3214346 Document Number: 370511
The neonatal mortality during hospital stay of live-born babies in a large government hospital is assessed in the light of various maternal factors and neonatal problems. The complete records of every neonatal death along with record of all deliveries over a period of 18 months were maintained prospectively and analysed. Out of total 9,374 deliveries, 8,931 were live births, of which 438 were neonatal deaths. Thus the neonatal mortality was 49.04 per 1,000 live births, of which 89.5% were early neonatal deaths. The main contributors to neonatal mortality were prematurity (22.8%), hyaline membrane disease (20.8%), birth asphyxia (15.7%), sepsis (14.4%), malformations (11.4%), other respiratory problems (8.9%) and birth trauma (3.4%). The main causes of late neonatal deaths were sepsis, respiratory problems and malformations. Of the total live births 13.95% were having birth weight of less than 2 kg and these contributed to 79.6% of neonatal deaths. Of all neonatal deaths, 52.5% were preterm babies. The various high risk factors and measures to reduce neonatal mortality are discussed.