Death Rate Among Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Care Unit at Pediatric General Hospital in Kirkuk City

Abstract

The newborn ( neonatal) period which begins at birth and includes the first month of life is a highly vulnerable time for an infant, who Is completing many of the physiologic adjustments in all organ systems required for extrauterine existence at the same time the newborn Infant learns to respond to many forms of external stimuli. Neonatal death rate Is defined as the number of neonates admitted to the Neonatal Care Unit died during specific time period divided by the total number of neonates admitted at the same time period. A descriptive cross sectional study was done on neonates attending the Neonatal Care Unit (inpatient) at Genral Pediatric Hospital from the 15 of October 2014 to the 30m of December 2014 . The study included 65neonates, their age from the (15 24 hour - 28 days) after birth. Each neonate included in the study was assessed by a prepared questionnaire which included socio-demographic factors (name, age, gender, residence, antenatal, natal, and postnatal history), data collected by direct interview with patient's parents, then each patient was assessed for weight, gestational age, jaundice, bulging fontanell chest examination, and any gross anomalies . Regarding the age of presented cases, the highest percent was 46.13% with age 1-3 days group , but the lowest percent with 8-28 days age group (18.46%). Most of the study cases were females , 40 cases (61.53%). Most of the cases were from rural areas , 42 cases (61.53%). Most of the cases were illiterates 38 cases (58.46%) and age of all the mothers were 17-45 years age (100%) . Regarding the antenatal risk factors, bleeding risk factor 43.07%, the highest percent, followed by fever with 12.30%; about the natal risk factor , 9.2% the highest percent with PROM ; while In the post-natal risk factors , jaundice was present In about 32.31% , followed by 4.6 % with fit . The highest percent was Full term 83,2% , followed by preterm 7.69% . Most of the cases were have normal birth weight ,37 cases (56.92%). In regard to outcome , 76.92% of cases were discharged well while 23.07% died . Most of the cases died with sepsis (53.33%) followed by respiretory distress syndrome (46.66%). In regard to age of presentation shows the highest percent 33.3% was with 1-3 days age and most cases were females 30%. In regard to maturity, It is revealed that the highest number of deaths were with preterms (60%) , followed by 33.3% cases with extrem permaturity and in regard to birth weight, the babies with less than 1 kg were all died (100%) followed by normal birth weight (29.72%). Sepsis and RDS were an Important causes of neonatal mortality at the study cases . It is concluded that neonatal death rate was high at our neonatal care unit.Methods: A descriptive cross_sectional study was done on neonates attending the Neonatal Care Unit (inpatient) at Genral Pediatric Hospital from the 1 st of October 2014 to the 30th of December 2014. Aim of The Study This study aimed to decrease the morbidity and mortality by detecting neonates at risk of death immediately after delivery