Possible Prevention of Neonatal Death: A Regional Population-Based Study in Japan

Gestational age-specific neonatal mortality in Hong Kong: a population-based retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The neonatal period is the most vulnerable period during childhood, with the risk of death being the highest even in developed countries/regions. Hong Kong's neonatal mortality (1‰) is among the world's lowest and has remained similar for 15 years. This study aimed to explore neonatal deaths in Hong Kong in detail and determine whether neonatal mortality is reducible at such a low level.

METHODS

Live births in public hospitals in Hong Kong during 01 Jan 2006-31 Dec 2017 were included. Relevant data were extracted from the electronic medical records. Gestational age-specific mortality was calculated, and the trends were analyzed using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Causes of death were summarized, and risk factors were identified in multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

In 490,034 live births, 755 cases (1.54‰) died during the neonatal period, and 293 (0.6‰) died during the post-neonatal period. The neonatal mortality remained similar overall (P = 0.17) and among infants born at 24-29 weeks' gestation (P = 0.4), while it decreased in those born at 23 (P = 0.04), 30-36 (P < 0.001) and ≥ 37 (P < 0.001) weeks' gestation. Neonates born at < 27 weeks' gestation accounted for a significantly increased proportion among cases who died (27.6% to 51.9%), with hemorrhagic conditions (24%) being the leading cause of death. Congenital anomalies were the leading cause of death in neonates born ≥ 27 weeks' gestation (52%), but its cause-specific mortality decreased (P = 0.002, 0.6‰ to 0.41‰), with most of the decrease attributed to trisomy 13/18 and multiple anomalies.

CONCLUSION

Reduction of neonatal mortality in developed regions may heavily rely on improved quality of perinatal and neonatal care among extremely preterm infants.

Causes of death identified in neonates enrolled through Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS), December 2016 -December 2021

Each year, 2.4 million children die within their first month of life. Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) established in 7 countries aims to generate accurate data on why such deaths occur and inform prevention strategies. Neonatal deaths that occurred between December 2016 and December 2021 were investigated with MITS within 24-72 hours of death. Testing included blood, cerebrospinal fluid and lung cultures, multi-pathogen PCR on blood, CSF, nasopharyngeal swabs and lung tissue, and histopathology examination of lung, liver and brain. Data collection included clinical record review and family interview using standardized verbal autopsy. The full set of data was reviewed by local experts using a standardized process (Determination of Cause of Death) to identify all relevant conditions leading to death (causal chain), per WHO recommendations. For analysis we stratified neonatal death into 24-hours of birth, early (1-<7 days) and late (7-<28 days) neonatal deaths. We analyzed 1458 deaths, 41% occurring within 24-hours, 41% early and 18% late neonatal deaths. Leading underlying causes of death were complications of intrapartum events (31%), complications of prematurity (28%), infections (17%), respiratory disorders (11%), and congenital malformations (8%). In addition to the underlying cause, 62% of deaths had additional conditions and 14% had ≥3 other conditions in the causal chain. The most common causes considering the whole causal chain were infection (40%), prematurity (32%) and respiratory distress syndrome (28%). Common maternal conditions linked to neonatal death were maternal hypertension (10%), labour and delivery complications (8%), multiple gestation (7%), placental complications (6%) obstructed labour and chorioamnionitis (5%, each). CHAMPS' findings showing the full causal chain of events that lead to death, in addition to maternal factors, highlights the complexities involved in each death along with the multiple opportunities for prevention. Highlighting improvements to prenatal and obstetric care and infection prevention are urgently needed in high-mortality settings.

Tendência da mortalidade neonatal no Brasil de 2007 a 2017

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a tendência da mortalidade neonatal no Brasil de 2007 a 2017. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico de série temporal, realizado com dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade e do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos, analisados por meio de regressão de Prais-Winsten. Verificou-se uma taxa média de mortalidade neonatal de 9,46/1.000 nascidos vivos no período, com redução de 2,15% ao ano. Houve maior declínio da mortalidade neonatal precoce, comparada com a tardia. Destaca-se tendência crescente dos óbitos neonatais entre neonatos pré-termos, com extremo baixo peso, nascidos de parto cesáreo, filhos de mães com idade superior a 30 anos e escolaridade superior a oito anos de estudo. Em relação às causas de morte, verificou-se tendência crescente dos óbitos por malformações congênitas, doenças infecciosas, doenças endócrinas, nutricionais e metabólicas e causas externas. Constatou-se, ainda, tendência crescente nos óbitos evitáveis por adequada atenção à mulher na gestação e por demais causas não claramente evitáveis. Apesar da redução geral dos óbitos, faz-se necessário intensificar as políticas públicas de assistência adequada à mulher na gestação para garantir melhoria nos demais indicadores analisados.

Why gone too soon? Examining social determinants of neonatal deaths in northwest Ethiopia using the three delay model approach

BACKGROUND

Without improving the survival of newborns, meaningful reduction in under-five mortality is difficult. Most neonatal deaths are preventable when appropriate and timely care is sought. In Ethiopia, there is lack of evidence on the type and contribution of delays in treatment seeking to neonatal deaths.

METHODS

A community based social autopsy (SA) of 39 neonatal deaths was conducted from March 16 to 24, 2016 in Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in northwest Ethiopia. The result was linked with verbal autopsy (VA) information completed for each of the deaths as part of the ongoing HDSS. The SA tool was adapted from INDEPTH Network. Three delay model approach was used to classify the delay types that contributed for the deaths investigated. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

SA was completed for 37 (94.9%) of the 39 neonatal deaths. Of all the deaths, 51.3% (19/37) of them occurred within the first 24 h, 75.6% (28/37) within the first 6 days and the remaining in 7-28 days. Birth asphyxia was the leading cause of death (34%) followed by bacterial sepsis (31%) and prematurity (16%). The median time from recognition of illness to initiation of modern treatment was 1 day (IQR 1-2.5 days). Delay in treatment seeking outside home (delay one) was associated with 81% of the deaths. Delay in receiving care at a health facility (delay three) and delay in transport (delay two) were associated with 16 and 3% of the deaths, respectively. The major contributors of death for delay one were bacterial sepsis (33.3%), birth asphyxia (30%), unspecified illness (20%) and acute lower respiratory tract illnesses (6.7%). For delay three, the major causes of death included birth asphyxia (50%), prematurity (33.3%) and bacterial sepsis (16.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Delays created at home and at health facility were the major delays contributing to the death of newborns. More focus has to be given in improving delays at home and at health facility.

Women's perception of prenatal and delivery care in cases of neonatal death

Abstract Objective: To analyze women's perception of care in prenatal and delivery care in cases of neonatal death. Method: A qualitative study was carried out with women whose children died in the neonatal period. Data were collected through open-ended interviews and analyzed according to the thematic analysis technique. Results: The professional-patient relationship in which there is dialogue is associated with good prenatal experience for women. Guidelines and information about health are seen as a positive aspect to achieve quality of care. The difficulty of access to exams and the lack of preparation of women for childbirth appear as negative aspects for care. Conclusions: Negative health care factors are reflected in a biographical way on these women. Implications for practice: Include results that can serve as a warning for professionals who provide care for pregnant and parturient women.