RESUMEN
The study analyzed the demographic and socio-economic determinants of neonatal mortality. The variables included one fetal variable [gender], three maternal variables [level of education, occupation, age], three paternal variables [level of education, occupation, age], and seven household [family] variables [nationality, consanguinity, family income, house ownership, type of housing, family type, domestic help]. One calendar year data [January to December 2011] was extracted from Qatar's National Perinatal Registry and analyzed using a univariate regression model. Qatar had a total of 20,583 live births and 102 neonatal deaths during 2011 [NMR 4.95/1000]. Less than secondary school maternal education level, as compared to secondary school or above maternal education level, was the only variable significantly associated with neonatal mortality [OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.23 - 3.53, p=0.009]. The association between the remaining thirteen variables and neonatal mortality was non-significant. Priority investment to raise female literacy above secondary school level may significantly improve neonatal survival
RESUMEN
To analyze the fetal and perinatal determinants of neonatal mortality. This was a pilot National Prospective cohort-study done from the data source of Qatar Perinatal Registry [Q-Peri-Reg]. National data on total deliveries, live births and neonatal mortality was ascertained from Qatar's national perinatal registry for the study period [1[st] January to 30[th] June 2011]. Data on gender, fetal growth, birth weight, gestational age, presentation at birth, mode of delivery, APGAR scoreat one and five minutes and the need for delivery room resuscitation was ascertained for all neonatal deaths and a corresponding group of control babies and analyzed using a univariate and multivariate model. The total deliveries during the study period were 9797 resulting in 9738 live births. The preterm delivery rate was 4.9%[n=489] and low birth weight delivery rate 7.5%[n=739]. The total numbers of neonatal deaths were 44[NMR 4.5/1000]. Intrauterine growth restriction [IUGR], low birth weight, pretermdelivery, breech presentation, delivery by C-section, low APGAR score at one and five minutes and the need for delivery room resuscitation were significantly associated [P<0.05] with neonatal mortality on univariate analysis. Low birth weight [p<0.001], breech presentation [p=0.041] and the need for delivery room resuscitation [p<0.001] had significant association with neonatal mortality on multivariate analysis. Further improvement in neonatal survival is possible by decreasing the incidence of low birth weight and preterm deliveries as well as by better intra-partum care of breech presentations and fetuses in distress