Study of the Causes and Predisposing Factors in Neonatal Mortality in Ghaem Hospital (March 2009 to May 2010)

Neonatal mortality rate is a standard indicator for development of health care, educational and social systems which influences the mortality indicators of infant and children younger than 5 years of age, directly. Since the first step to reduce mortality and improve this indicator is to identify the causes of mortality so this study was conducted with the goal of evaluation of the causes and predisposing factors of neonatal mortality in Ghaem hospital in Mashhad. This cross-sectional, descriptive – analytical study was conducted from June of 2009 to June of 2010. Following neonatal death, epidemiological data, neonatal physical examination, diagnostic-therapeutic procedures and course of the disease before death, including the neonate’s and mother’s features were recorded and then predisposing factors and death causes were evaluated by an expert team (neonatal subspecialty, neonatal fellowship, resident of pediatrics and nurse who present at the time of death). The data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 11.5) and descriptive Chi square statistic test. Of 1630 hospitalized neonates in this center, 162 (9.94%) died and 63% of which weighted less than 1500 grams. The major causes of neonatal mortality in this study were severe prematurity (less than 32 weeks) 57.4%, asphyxia (5 minute Apgar less than 6- 30.86%), congenital anomalies (27.16%), infections (25.3%), respiratory complications (24.7%), hematologic disorders (6.8%) and cerebral disorders (6.2%). According to death patterns and most frequent causes of neonatal mortality in the present study, preventing preterm labour and low birth weight neonates, preventing delivery injuries and asphyxia, plans to prevent congenital anomalies and infection preventing plans, especially in neonates department could be effective in reducing neonatal mortality in our hospital.