Neonatal Deaths in the Asir Region of Saudi Arabia: Experience in a Referral Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Congenital anomalies contribute a significant proportion of infant morbidity and mortality, as well as fetal mortality. They are generally grouped into three major categories: structural/metabolic, congenital infections, and other conditions. The most prevalent conditions include congenital heart defects, orofacial clefts, Down syndrome, and neural tube defects. Several prenatal diagnostic procedures have been introduced, both cytogenetic (such as chorion biopsy, amniocentesis and funiculocentesis) and biophysical (ultrasound 2-D, 3-D and 4-D, ultrasonography with Doppler, etc.). Insufficient data are currently available from Saudi Arabia on the epidemiology of the lethal congenital abnormalities which should be a priority due to high rate of consanguineous marriages among first cousins and their association with congenital anomalies. In terms of consanguinity and birth defects, a significant positive association has been consistently demonstrated between consanguinity and morbidity, and congenital defects with a complex etiology appear to be both more prevalent in consanguineous families and have a greater likelihood of recurrence. A debate regarding aborting a malformed fetus still exists among the senior Islamic scholars in many of the Islamic countries. The progressive interpretations of Islam have resulted in laws allowing for early abortion on request in two countries; six others permit abortion on health grounds and three more also allow abortion in cases of rape or fetal impairment. In Saudi Arabia, efforts to legalize abortion in certain circumstances have been recently discussed among Senior Religious Scholars and specialized physicians to permit abortions in certain circumstances. In this mini-review we discuss the current debate regarding aborting a malformed fetus in Saudi Arabia with a focus on the Islamic perspective.

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“…[21] reviewed a total of 169 deaths in Asir region, Saudi Arabia and 30.8% of these deaths were due congenital malformation.…”

Section: Reports From Saudi Arabiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Aborting a malformed fetus: A debatable issue in Saudi Arabia

Al‐Alaiyan

AlFaleh

2012

J Clin Neonatol

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“…To evaluate the perinatal care in a community it is wise rely on the neonatal mortality rate to establish an effective health care delivery system. It is very essential to have an integrated statistical information about the neonatal mortality in order to develop a sound program for the early diagnosis of the neonatal sepsis and assessment of treatment and outcome 14 . Neonatal sepsis may just manifest as diverse, subtle and nonspecific signs and symptoms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Profile of Neonatal Sepsis in Duhok City and Predictors of Mortality: A Prospective Case Series Study

Atrushi

2018

DMJ

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Background: Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of death all over the world. Risk factors represent an interaction between maternal immunity and the defense mechanisms of the neonate. epidemiological, clinical and laboratory profiles of neonates with sepsis in relation to outcome and to determine the predictors of outcome. Subject and Methods: A prospective study included neonates with sepsis admitted to neonatal care unit. 126 neonates with features of sepsis were included with age ranged from (1-30) days. From each patient, neonatal and maternal data were collected and clinical features as well as laboratory test results of hemoglobin, platelets count. total white blood cell and absolute neutrophil count , C statistically analyzed. Results: of 126 neonates, 32 (25.39%) died while others survived. Age < 7 days was in 61.9% of all cases, 69.84% had respiratory distress syndr encephalopathy, 60.31% were preterm, 61.9% were born vaginally and male to female ratio was 1.73:1. There is a significant relation of mortality to respiratory distress syndrome and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, preterm d Vomiting, apnea, sclerema, cyanosis and tachypnea were significantly related to the mortality. Eschericia coli were mortality is with Acenatobacterbaumani relation. The C reactive protein was>10 mg/dl was in higher number of neonates with sepsis who died by comparison to those who survived, with a significant relation. Conclusions: Neonatal sepsis is still a c the pattern of causative organisms and this requires more monitoring and periodic surveillance. There is a real need to find out the local antibiotic sensitivities of pat establish an optimal empirical treatment before the results of culture and sensitivity are available.

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“…5 In less developed countries members of the Enterobacteriaceae family and S. aureus are among the most common. 6,7 With the changing trends in infecting organisms, it is important to monitor the prevalent pathogens so that appropriate policies for management and therapy can be implemented. Investigation of the factors predisposing to neonatal sepsis is essential to prevention.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neonatal sepsis and mortality in a regional hospital in Trinidad: aetiology and risk factors

Orrett

Shurland

2001

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics

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A total of 132 neonatal deaths among 627 infants admitted to the neonatal ward of the San Fernando General Hospital, Trinidad over a 2-year period were reviewed. The most common cause of death was prematurity (43.9%). Infection was the second most common cause (21.2%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were the most frequently isolated organisms (43%). The major drugs used empirically in suspected cases of sepsis were ampicillin or ceftazidime plus gentamicin. About 85% of S. aureus were resistant to ampicillin, and P. aeruginosa resistance to ceftazidime and gentamicin was 76.7% and 72.1%, respectively. Significant risk factors in maternal history were infrequent antenatal care and prolonged rupture of membranes. The incidence of infection among low birthweight infants was 85.6%. Early-onset sepsis (86.4%) seemed to have a nosocomial origin because of the type of pathogens seen. There is an urgent need to improve the staff-to-patient ratio in the neonatal unit and for staff to be constantly reminded to employ simple infection control practices such as proper hand-washing to reduce cross-infections.

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Neonatal Deaths in the Asir Region of Saudi Arabia: Experience in a Referral Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Cited by 19 publications

References 14 publications

Aborting a malformed fetus: A debatable issue in Saudi Arabia

Aborting a malformed fetus: A debatable issue in Saudi Arabia

The Profile of Neonatal Sepsis in Duhok City and Predictors of Mortality: A Prospective Case Series Study

Neonatal sepsis and mortality in a regional hospital in Trinidad: aetiology and risk factors

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