Risk factors for mortality of newborns referred from Donka maternity clinic to the Institute of Child Nutrition and Health (INSE) over 10 years of activity

Abstract

Introduction: Newborn health is a fundamental right under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2005, WHO reported that of the 130 million children born each year worldwide, about 4 million die during the neonatal period. The care required by these newborns is therefore at risk of becoming a burden on health and social systems and services around the world. The objective of this study was to determine the mortality rate among newborns referred by Donka's maternity ward and to identify risk factors at the Institute of Child Nutrition and Health. Patients and method: this is a retrospective descriptive and analytical study of 3642 newborns referred by the Gynaeco-Obstetrics Department of the University Hospital for management, lasting 10 years from 1st April 2004 to 31st March 2014. Results: Out of 3642 newborns referred from Donka's maternity ward to the INSE, we recorded a mortality rate of (41.65%). The risk factors associated with neonatal mortality have been: maternal age (p=0.005), maternal occupation (p=0.001), prenatal consultation (p=0.003), education level (p=0.001), birth route (p=0.000), birth weight (p=0.000), gestational age (p=0.001), Apgar score (p=0.000) and pregnancy type (p=0.049).

Conclusion: The study concluded that neonatal mortality is a real public health problem and depends on a multitude of factors, both sociocultural and health, all of which endanger the lives of newborns.