Prematurity, asphyxia and congenital malformations underrepresented among neonates in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Vietnam

Incidence and predictors of mortality among neonates admitted with perinatal asphyxia at west Oromia tertiary hospitals, Ethiopia, 2022

BACKGROUND

Perinatal asphyxia is one of the preventable and treatable causes of neonatal mortality. However, it is the fifth-largest cause of under-five mortality. Even with management advancements, it remains one of the key public health issues in underdeveloped countries, including Ethiopia. Comorbidities are also understated; therefore, adequate information regarding the incidence of death and its predictors is required.

METHODS

A four-year retrospective follow-up study was conducted from October 3 to November 2, 2022. From a total sample size, of 655, 616 data were collected by nurse through follow-up reviews charts using Kobo Toolbox software. The data was exported to STATA Version 14 for analysis. The Cox proportional hazard assumption was checked, and the model for the data was selected using Akaike Information Criteria. Finally, an adjusted hazard ratio with 95% CI was computed, and variables with a P-value < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were taken as significant predictors of death.

RESULT

The overall incidence of mortality was 38.86/1000 (95% CI: 33.85-44.60). The median time of follow-up was 15 days (95% CI: 14-20). The proportion of deaths was 202 (32.79%, 95% CI: 29.18-36.61) among neonates with perinatal asphyxia. While the distance from health facility > 10 km is (AHR: 2.25; 95% CI: 1.60-3.17), direct oxygen (AHR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.35-2.48), APGAR score (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration) < 3 at the fifth minute (AHR: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.03-6.73), prolonged rupture of membrane (AHR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.02-1.94), and stage III hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (AHR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.18-3.47) were predictors of mortality among neonates with perinatal asphyxia.

CONCLUSION

According to this study's findings, high neonatal mortality due to perinatal asphyxia requires proper intervention regarding membrane rupture, APGAR score (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration), oxygen use, stage III hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and residence distance.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with birth asphyxia among neonates delivered in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

A number of primary studies in Ethiopia address the prevalence of birth asphyxia and the factors associated with it. However, variations were seen among those studies. The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to estimate the pooled prevalence and explore the factors that contribute to birth asphyxia in Ethiopia.

METHODS

Different search engines were used to search online databases. The databases include PubMed, HINARI, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. Relevant grey literature was obtained through online searches. The funnel plot and Egger's regression test were used to see publication bias, and the I-squared was applied to check the heterogeneity of the studies. Cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies that were conducted in Ethiopia were also be included. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to assess the quality of the studies and was included in this systematic review. Data entry and statistical analysis were carried out using RevMan 5.4 software and Stata 14.

RESULT

After reviewing 1,125 studies, 26 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of birth asphyxia in Ethiopia was 19.3%. In the Ethiopian context, the following risk factors were identified: Antepartum hemorrhage(OR: 4.7; 95% CI: 3.5, 6.1), premature rupture of membrane(OR: 4.0; 95% CI: 12.4, 6.6), primiparas(OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.9, 4.1), prolonged labor(OR: 4.2; 95% CI: 2.8, 6.6), maternal anaemia(OR: 5.1; 95% CI: 2.59, 9.94), low birth weight(OR = 5.6; 95%CI: 4.7,6.7), meconium stained amniotic fluid(OR: 5.6; 95% CI: 4.1, 7.5), abnormal presentation(OR = 5.7; 95% CI: 3.8, 8.3), preterm birth(OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 2.9, 5.8), residing in a rural area (OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 2.0, 3.5), caesarean delivery(OR = 4.4; 95% CI:3.1, 6.2), operative vaginal delivery(OR: 4.9; 95% CI: 3.5, 6.7), preeclampsia(OR = 3.9; 95% CI: 2.1, 7.4), tight nuchal cord OR: 3.43; 95% CI: 2.1, 5.6), chronic hypertension(OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.8), and unable to write and read (OR = 4.2;95%CI: 1.7, 10.6).

CONCLUSION

According to the findings of this study, birth asphyxia is an unresolved public health problem in the Ethiopia. Therefore, the concerned body needs to pay attention to the above risk factors in order to decrease the country's birth asphyxia.

REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42020165283).

The cause-specific morbidity and mortality, and referral patterns of all neonates admitted to a tertiary referral hospital in the northern provinces of Vietnam over a one year period

Objective

To describe the cause-specific morbidity and mortality, and referral patterns of all neonates admitted to a tertiary referral hospital in the northern provinces of Vietnam.

Design

A prospective hospital based observational study.

Setting

The Neonatal Department, National Hospital of Pediatrics, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Patients

All admissions to the Neonatal Department over a 12 month period.

Main outcome measures

Cause-specific morbidity and mortality; deaths.

Results

There were 5064 admissions with the commonest discharge diagnoses being infection (32%) and prematurity (29%). The case fatality ratio (CFR) was 13.9% (n = 703). Infection (38%), cardio/respiratory disorders (27%), congenital abnormalities (20%) and neurological conditions (10%) were the main causes of death. Of all the deaths, 38% had an admission weight ≥2500g. Higher CFR were associated with lower admission weights. Very few deaths (3%) occurred in the first 24 hours of life. Most referrals and deaths came from Hanoi and neighbouring provincial hospitals, with few from the most distant provinces. Two distant referral provinces had the highest CFR.

Conclusions

The CFR was high and few deaths occurred in neonates <24 hours old. The high rates of infection call for an improvement in infection control practices and peripartum antibiotic use at provincial and tertiary level. Understanding provincial hospital capacity and referral pathways is crucial to improving the outcomes at tertiary centres. A quality of care audit tool would enable more targeted interventions and monitoring of health outcomes.

Low Neonatal Mortality and High Incidence of Infectious Diseases in a Vietnamese Province Hospital

Background. Neonatal deaths constitute the majority of child mortality in Vietnam, but studies are scarce and focus on community settings. Methods. During a 12-month period, all sick neonates admitted to a pediatric department in a province hospital were studied. Potential risk factors of death covering sociodemographic factors, pregnancy history, previous neonatal period, and status on admission were registered. The neonates were followed up until discharge or death or until 28 completed days of age if still hospitalized or until withdrawal of life support. The main outcome was neonatal death. Results. The neonatal mortality was 4.6% (50/1094). In a multivariate analysis, four associated risk factors of death were extremely low birth weight (OR = 22.9 (2.3–233.4)), no cry at birth (OR = 3.5 (1.3–9.4)), and cyanosis (OR = 3.3 (1.2–8.7)) and shock (OR = 12.3 (2.5–61.5)) on admission. The major discharge diagnoses were infection, prematurity, congenital malformations, and asphyxia in 88.5% (936/1058), 21.3% (225/1058), 5.0% (53/1058), and 4.6% (49/1058), respectively. In 36, a discharge diagnosis was not registered. Conclusion. Infection was the main cause of neonatal morbidity. Asphyxia and congenital malformations were diagnosed less frequently. The neonatal mortality was 4.6%. No sociodemographic factors were associated with death. Extreme low birth weight, no cry at birth, and cyanosis or shock at admission were associated with death.

Morbidity and mortality in hospitalised neonates in central Vietnam

AIM

This study explored neonatal morbidity and mortality in hospitalised patients in central Vietnam and risk factors associated with mortality.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of all newborn infants (<28 days) hospitalised in a neonatal unit over a 1-year period and followed until discharge. The main outcome measures were case fatality rate and the rate of different clinical diagnoses.

RESULTS

There were 2555 admissions during the study period. The leading primary causes of admissions were infections (41%), haematological problems such as jaundice (23%) and prematurity and its complications (18%). The overall case fatality rate was 8.6%, and it was 59% among very low-birthweight (<1500 g) neonates. Mortality was inversely associated with birthweight and gestational age. Of the 220 deaths, 57% occurred within the first 7 days of life. Although the causes of death were often multifactorial, the leading primary causes were infections (32%), prematurity and its complications (25%), birth defects (24%) and birth asphyxia (6%). Risk factors associated with death were being outborn, early gestational age, small for gestational age, confirmed sepsis and birth defects.

CONCLUSION

Mortality rates were high among hospitalised neonates in central Vietnam, and this paper suggests interventions that might improve outcomes.

Identification of important and potentially avoidable risk factors in a prospective audit study of neonatal deaths in a paediatric hospital in Vietnam

AIM

Neonatal deaths (≤28 days) account for more than half of child mortality in Vietnam. Presumably most die in hospital, but data are scarce. This study aimed to identify risk factors of death among hospitalised neonates.

METHODS

We prospectively studied all neonatal deaths and expected deaths (discharged alive after withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment) in a Vietnamese tertiary paediatric hospital during a 12-month period in 2009-2010. The medical files were audited classifying admission prognosis, discharge outcome, cause of death/expected death according to two classifications, and important and potentially avoidable risk factors during the hospital stay.

RESULTS

Among 5763 neonates admitted, 235 deaths and 67 expected deaths were included. According to both classifications, major causes were congenital malformations, prematurity and severe infections. Six risk factors were identified in 85% (60/71) of the neonates with a relatively good prognosis: recognition or response to danger signs, internal transfers, nosocomial infections, sepsis management, access to usual equipment/staff, and family perception.

CONCLUSION

Among 302 neonatal deaths/expected deaths, the major causes were congenital malformations, prematurity and severe infections. Six important and potentially avoidable risk factors could be addressed in the subgroup with relatively good admission prognosis, without implementing new technology or major organisational changes.

Neonatal bloodstream infections in a pediatric hospital in Vietnam: a cohort study

Septicemia and bloodstream infections (BSIs) are major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. We prospectively recorded all positive blood cultures (BSI) among neonates admitted consecutively to a tertiary pediatric hospital in Vietnam during a 12-month period. Among 5763 neonates, 2202 blood cultures were performed, of which 399 were positive in 385 neonates. Among these, 64 died, 62 in relation to septicemia. Of the BSI isolates, 56% was known pathogenic and 48% was gram-negative bacteria, most frequently Klebsiella spp. (n = 78), Acinetobacter spp. (n = 58) and Escherichia coli (n = 21). Only three Streptococcus spp. were identified, none group B. Resistance against antibiotics applied was common. The mortality was highest in neonates with gram-negative BSI compared with no confirmed BSI and gram-positive BSI (P < 0.01). In this setting, the majority of BSI were likely to have been transmitted from the environment. Improvement of hygienic precautions and systematic BSI surveillance are recommended.