Analysis of Risk Factor Specific Mortality to Improve Neonatal Mortality Rate in a Special Newborn Care Unit: A Cross Sectional Descriptive Study

Abstract

Introduction: The proposed Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target aims to reduce preventable deaths of newborn and reduce neonatal mortality to as low as 12 per 1000 live births by 2030. The study aimed to identify the newborns who died, why and when they died, if death was possibly preventable or probably unpreventable and identify the areas where neonatal mortality rate (NMR) reduction is possible.

Methods: A cross sectional, retrospective, descriptive study was conducted on inborn newborns at a Special Newborn Care Unit of a medical college hospital in eastern India from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Admission and mortality data regarding gender, social category, gestational age, birth weight, cause of death and age at death were collected and analysed.

Results: Live births in the institution were 14525 with 1423 sick newborns admitted to the SNCU and 309 deaths (54.37% males). Highest number of deaths occurred in birth weight ≤ 999 grams (88.75%) and gestational age < 28 weeks (79.66%). The cause of death was perinatal asphyxia in 29.13%, prematurity < 28 weeks gestation and IUGR with birth weight (≤ 999 grams) in 22.98% and sepsis in 22.65%. First day deaths were 15.21%, first 2 days 33.98% and first 7 days 74.11%.

Conclusion: Mortality in the sick newborns was 21.71%. Increased mortality was observed in female gender, scheduled tribe, < 28 weeks gestation, birth weight ≤ 999 grams. The possibly preventable deaths are most of the cases of perinatal asphyxia, sepsis and prematurity contributing to 74.76% of all deaths. To reduce NMR, interventions should target these areas.