Causes of Neonatal Mortality in Neonatal Care Units AL-Diwaniya Province –Iraq 2013

Abstract

Background: Neonatal mortality refers to death of a new born within the first 28 days of life. A child’s risk of death in the first four weeks of life is nearly 15 times greater than any other time before his or her first birthday.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to review records of neonatal deaths that took place in all neonatal care units in AL- Daiwynia province during the year 2013. Data collection form was designed to collect the demographic data, data concerning pregnancy and delivery and any complication during pregnancy, delivery and perperium, mode of delivery, place of delivery and causes of neonatal death. Result: respiratory distress syndrome was the highest among causes of neonatal deaths (55.2%), followed by birth asphyxia (16.5%), sepsis (15%), neonatal jaundice and its complications (7.1%), pneumonia (2.5%), cold injury (1.8%) and diarrhea (0.8). Preterm delivery was noticed in (55%) of the deceased neonates, 37.5% of them were with normal birth weight, 32% with low birth weight, 17.5% with very low birth weight and  13% were with extremely low birth weight. Conclusion: The most common causes of neonatal deaths were respiratory distress syndrome, birth asphyxia and sepsis. Prevention of prematurity and low birth weight as major cause for respiratory distress syndrome will lead to a decrease in neonatal mortality and morbidity