Neonatal Mortality Associated with the Referral of Low Birth Weight Newborns to the Institute of Child Nutrition and Health (INSE)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors and study the causes of neonatal mortality of LBW newborns referred to the Institute of Nutrition and Child Health. Material and Methods: This is a prospective descriptive and analytical study from March 1 to August 31, 2015, involving 250 newborns referred to the Neonatology Department of the Institute of Child Nutrition and Health (INSE). Results: During our study period, we recorded 1169 newborns, 250 of whom were referred, representing a referral frequency of 21.38%. The overall mortality rate for transferring newborns was 46.8%. Risk factors associated with neonatal mortality were gravidity (p = 0.0019), parity (p = 0.0323), occupational activities requiring physical effort (p = 0.0257), birth weight (p = 0.0008) and prematurity (p = 0.0039). Conclusion: Neonatal mortality associated with referrals is a major health problem in developing countries. There is currently no doubt that it is possible to significantly reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity rates by organizing the identification of "mother-child" couples at risk, to refer them intently to centres better equipped with technical and human resources to care for them.

Incidence and predictors of mortality among neonates referred to comprehensive and specialized hospitals in Amhara regional state, North Ethiopia: a prospective follow-up study

“…In contrast, the study finding was lower than previous studies conducted in Guinea 46.8% [ 19 ], University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica 36% [ 35 ], and Bangladesh 54.5% [ 36 ]. The discrepancy might be due to the study period and sample size for some studies and other study population was focused on only neonates who were most vulnerable groups [ 19 ].…”

Factors associated with malnutrition in children < 5 years in western Kenya: a hospital-based unmatched case control study

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“…Of those admitted at INSE, only 2.3% of children arrived by ambulance, which is half of the previously reported rate from INSE in 2015 [ 15 ]. Even in ambulances, respiratory support with oxygen is not available.…”

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