Descriptive Analysis of Neonatal Mortality during May 2023 at Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi

Abstract

Although child mortality has substantially been declined due to stringent efforts for achieving the set targets meant to attain health related Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, yet the reduction in neonatal mortality has been noted at comparatively slower pace. Considerable neonatal deaths have also been reported in South Asan regions of the globe. Objective: To analyze neonatal mortality in terms of place of delivery, antenatal booking and maternal as well as medical causes of death. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was done during May 2023 to determine various attributes of neonatal mortality like delivery site and antenatal visits. In addition to maternal factors contributing to neonatal mortality, post-delivery mortality reasons were also recorded. Data were entered and analyzed by using Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: Out of 100 neonatal mortalities about 88.5% were early neonatal deaths. 21% and 79% were home and hospital delivered neonates respectively. Of the 49 booked cases, 35% were delivered in private hospitals while 25.5% of the remaining non-booked cases were delivered in private healthcare facilities. Approximately 47% and 53% were preterm and full-term births respectively. 35.6% neonates died of bacterial sepsis while 22% and 19% neonates succumbed to respiratory distress syndrome and intrauterine hypoxia respectively. Conclusions: There were considerable early neonatal deaths and majority died of bacterial sepsis and respiratory distress syndrome.