Tasneem Kousar, Yasmeen Memon, Salma Sheikh, Shazia Memon, Rubina Sehto.
Risk factors and causes of death in neonates.
Rawal Med J Jan ;35(2):205-8.

Objective: To identify the common causes and risk factors of neonatal mortality in a tertiary care Hospital. Patients and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out at department ppediatrics/nursery, Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from July 2006 to December 2007. A total of 1203 neonates were admitted in the nursery during the study period; out of them 284 expired. These deaths were evaluated for age, gender, gestational age, birth weight, risk factors and cause of death. Results: Out of 284 neonates 218 (76.7%) were low birth weight and 66 (23.2%) full term normal. Most deaths occurred in males except in preterm SGA females. The main risk factors identified were maternal anemia in 184 (65%), maternal malnutrition in 176 (62%), poor antenatal care in 109 (38.38%), grand multi-parity in 68 (23.9%), PROM in 50 (17.6%) followed by maternal fever in 24 (8.4%), APH in 23 (8.09%) and maternal UTI in 19 (6.6%). The most common causes of death were sepsis in 129 (45.4%), birth asphyxia in 68 (23.9%), respiratory distress syndrome in 38 (13.3%) and congenital anomalies in 14 (4.9%) neonates. Conclusions: The mortality rate was high in preterm and low birth weight neonates. Measures to prevent neonatal mortality must be exercised with emphasis on skilled attendance at birth and appropriate care of preterm and low birth weight neonates. (Rawal Med J 2010;35:205-208).

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