Óbitos perinatais evitáveis por intervenções do Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil / Muertes perinatales evitables por intervención del Sistema de Salud Pública / Perinatal deaths preventable by intervention of the Unified Health System of Brazil

Resumo OBJETIVO Descrever características epidemiológicas dos óbitos perinatais por ações do Sistema Público de Saúde. MÉTODOS Estudo descritivo de análise temporal, população composta por óbitos perinatais de mães residentes no Recife, 2010-2014. Utilizado Lista de causas de mortes evitáveis para classificar a evitabilidade e EpiInfo versão 7 para análise das variáveis. RESULTADOS Ocorreram 1.756 óbitos perinatais (1.019 fetais e 737 neonatais precoce), observou-se redução dos óbitos neonatais precoces (-15,8%) e aumento dos fetais (12,1%). Apresentou como principais causas: feto e recém-nascido afetado por afecção materna e asfixia/hipóxia ao nascer. CONCLUSÕES A maior parte dos óbitos foi evitável, concentrando-se no grupamento de assistência adequada dispensada à mulher na gestação. Lacunas na assistência dispensada à mulher no parto, explicam o percentual de asfixia/hipóxia. Redução da mortalidade perinatal evitável associa-se à ampliação do acesso e qualidade da assistência para garantir promoção, prevenção, tratamento, cuidados específicos e oportunos.

Resumen OBJETIVO Describir las características epidemiológicas de las muertes perinatales por acciones del Sistema de Salud Pública. MÉTODOS Estudio descriptivo del análisis temporal, población compuesta por muertes perinatales de madres residentes en Recife, 2010-2014. Lista de causas de muertes evitables para clasificar la evitación y, EpiInfo versión 7 para el análisis de variables. RESULTADOS Hubo 1.756 muertes perinatales (1.019 fetales, 737 prematuros neonatos), reducción de muertes neonatales tempranas (-15,8%) y aumento fetal (12,1%). Principales causas: feto y recién-nacido afectados por afección materna y asfixia / hipoxia al nacer. CONCLUSIONES La mayoría de las muertes fueron evitables, concentrándose en la agrupación adecuada de la atención prestada a la mujer durante el embarazo. Las fallas en el cuidado dado a la mujer al nacer explican el porcentaje de asfixia/hipoxia. La reducción de la mortalidad perinatal prevenible se asocia con un mayor acceso y calidad de atención para asegurar la promoción, prevención, tratamiento y atención específica y oportuna.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiological characteristics of perinatal deaths through the actions of the Unified Health System. METHODS This is a descriptive study of temporal analysis with a population of perinatal deaths of mothers residing in Recife, Brazil, from 2010 to 2014. A list was used to classify the preventable diseases and the variables were analysed using Epi lnfo™ version 7 RESULTS The perinatal deaths totalled 1,756 (1,019 foetal and 737 neonatal premature) with a reduction of neonatal deaths (-15.8%) and an increase of foetal deaths (12.1%) in the study period. The main causes of death were foetus and newborn affected by the mother´s condition and asphyxia/hypoxia at birth. CONCLUSIONS Most deaths were avoidable, especially in the group of appropriate care to mothers during pregnancy. Faults in the care provided to women at birth explain the percentage of deaths caused by asphyxia/hypoxia. The reduction of preventable perinatal mortality is associated with the increased access and quality of care, which ensures health promotion, disease prevention, treatment and specific and timely care.

Early neonatal deaths associated with perinatal asphyxia in infants ≥2500g in Brazil / Óbitos neonatais precoces associados à asfixia perinatal em neonatos ≥2500g no Brasil

Abstract Objective: To assess the annual burden of early neonatal deaths associated with perinatal asphyxia in infants weighing ≥2500 g in Brazil from 2005 to 2010. Methods: The population study enrolled all live births of infants with birth weight ≥2500 g and without malformations who died up to six days after birth with perinatal asphyxia, defined as intrauterine hypoxia, asphyxia at birth, or meconium aspiration syndrome. The cause of death was written in any field of the death certificate, according to International Classification of Diseases,10th Revision (P20.0, P21.0, and P24.0). An active search was performed in 27 Brazilian federative units. The chi-squared test for trend was applied to analyze early neonatal mortality ratios associated with perinatal asphyxia by study year. Results: A total of 10,675 infants weighing ≥2500 g without malformations died within six days after birth with perinatal asphyxia. Deaths occurred in the first 24 h after birth in 71% of the infants. Meconium aspiration syndrome was reported in 4076 (38%) of these deaths. The asphyxia-specific early neonatal mortality ratio decreased from 0.81 in 2005 to 0.65 per 1000 live births in 2010 in Brazil (p < 0.001); the meconium aspiration syndrome-specific early neonatal mortality ratio remained between 0.20 and 0.29 per 1000 live births during the study period. Conclusions: Despite the decreasing rates in Brazil from 2005 to 2010, early neonatal mortality rates associated with perinatal asphyxia in infants in the better spectrum of birth weight and without congenital malformations are still high, and meconium aspiration syndrome plays a major role.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a taxa anual de óbitos neonatais precoces associados à asfixia perinatal em neonatos de peso ≥ 2.500 g no Brasil de 2005 a 2010. Métodos: A população do estudo envolveu todos os nascidos vivos de neonatos com peso ao nascer ≥ 2.500 g e sem malformações que morreram até seis dias após o nascimento por asfixia perinatal, definida como hipóxia intrauterina, asfixia no nascimento ou síndrome de aspiração de mecônio. A causa do óbito foi escrita em qualquer linha do atestado de óbito, de acordo com a Classificação Internacional de Doenças, 10a Revisão (P20.0, P21.0 e P24.0). Foi feita uma pesquisa ativa em 27 unidades federativas brasileiras. O teste qui-quadrado de tendência foi aplicado para analisar os índices de mortalidade neonatal associados a asfixia perinatal até o ano do estudo. Resultados: Morreram 10.675 neonatos com peso ≥ 2.500 g sem malformações até 0-6 dias após o nascimento por asfixia perinatal. Os óbitos ocorreram nas primeiras 24 horas após o nascimento em 71% dos neonatos. A síndrome de aspiração de mecônio foi relatada em 4.076 (38%) dos óbitos. O índice de mortalidade neonatal precoce relacionada à asfixia caiu de 0,81 em 2005 para 0,65 por 1.000 nascidos vivos em 2010 no Brasil (p < 0,001); o índice de mortalidade neonatal precoce relacionada a síndrome de aspiração de mecônio permaneceu entre 0,20-0,29 por 1.000 nascidos vivos durante o período do estudo. Conclusões: Apesar da redução nas taxas no Brasil de 2005 a 2010, as taxas de mortalidade neonatal precoce associadas à asfixia perinatal em neonatos no melhor espectro de peso ao nascer e sem malformações congênitas ainda são altas e a síndrome de aspiração de mecônio desempenha um importante papel.

Asfixia perinatal associada à mortalidade neonatal precoce: estudo populacional dos óbitos evitáveis / Perinatal asphyxia associated with early neonatal mortality: populational study of avoidable deaths / Asfixia perinatal asociada a la mortalidad neonatal temprana: estudio de población de los óbitos evitables

OBJETIVO: Comparar o perfil epidemiológico dos óbitos neonatais precoces evitáveis associados à asfixia perinatal conforme a região de ocorrência do óbito no Estado de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Coorte populacional constituída por 2.873 óbitos evitáveis até seis dias de vida associados à asfixia perinatal ocorridos entre janeiro de 2001 e dezembro de 2003. Considerou-se como asfixia perinatal a presença de hipóxia intraútero, asfixia ao nascer ou síndrome de aspiração de mecônio em qualquer linha da Declaração de Óbito original. Variáveis epidemiológicas também foram extraídas das Declarações de Nascido Vivo. RESULTADOS: No triênio, 1,71 mortes por 1.000 nascidos vivos estavam associadas à asfixia perinatal, correspondendo a 22% dos óbitos neonatais precoces. Dos 2.873 óbitos evitáveis, 761 (27%) ocorreram em São Paulo, capital; 640 (22%), na região metropolitana da capital; e 1.472 (51%), no interior do estado. Nas duas primeiras regiões predominaram as mortes em hospitais públicos, recém-nascidos com idade gestacional inferior a 37 semanas e peso abaixo de 2500g. No interior, os óbitos foram mais frequentes em entidades beneficentes, recém-nascidos a termo e com peso superior a 2500g. A maioria dos bebês nasceu durante o dia no município de residência materna e evoluiu para óbito no hospital de nascimento até 24 horas após o parto. A síndrome de aspiração de mecônio esteve presente em 18% dos óbitos. CONCLUSÕES: A asfixia perinatal é um contribuinte frequente para a morte neonatal precoce evitável no estado com o maior produto interno bruto per capita do Brasil, evidenciando a necessidade de intervenções específicas com enfoque regionalizado na assistência ao parto e ao nascimento.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the epidemiological profile of avoidable early neonatal deaths associated with perinatal asphyxia according to region of death in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Population-based cohort study including 2,873 avoidable deaths up to six days of life associated with perinatal asphyxia from January 2001 to December 2003. Perinatal asphyxia was considered if intrauterine hypoxia, birth asphyxia, or meconium aspiration syndrome were written in any line of the original Death Certificate. Epidemiological data were also extracted from the Birth Certificate. RESULTS: During the three years, 1.71 deaths per 1,000 live births were associated with perinatal asphyxia, which corresponded to 22% of the early neonatal deaths. From the 2,873 avoidable deaths, 761 (27%) occurred in São Paulo city; 640 (22%), in the metropolitan region of São Paulo city; and 1,472 (51%), in the countryside of the state. In the first two regions, deaths were more frequent in public hospitals, among newborns with gestational age of 36 weeks or less, and among babies weighing less than 2500g. In the countryside, mortality was more frequent in philanthropic hospitals, in term newborns and in neonates weighing over 2500g. Most of these neonates were born during daytime in their hometown and died at the same institution in which they were born within the first 24 hours after delivery. Meconium aspiration syndrome was related to 18% of the deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal asphyxia is a frequent contributor to the avoidable early neonatal death in the state with the highest gross domestic product per capita in Brazil, and it shows the need for specific interventions with regionalized focus during labor and birth care.

OBJETIVO: Comparar el perfil epidemiológico de los óbitos neonatales tempranos evitables asociados a la asfixia perinatal conforme a la región de ocurrencia del óbito en la provincia de São Paulo (Brasil). MÉTODOS: Cohorte de población constituida por 2.873 óbitos evitables hasta seis días de vida asociados a la asfixia perinatal ocurridos entre enero de 2001 y diciembre de 2003. Se consideró como asfixia perinatal la presencia de hipoxia intraútero, asfixia al nacer o síndrome de aspiración de meconio en cualquier línea de la Declaración de Óbito original. Variables epidemiológicas también fueron extraídas de las Declaraciones de Nacido Vivo. RESULTADOS: En el trienio, 1,71 muertes por 1.000 nacidos vivos estaban asociadas a la asfixia perinatal, correspondiendo al 22% de los óbitos neonatales tempranos. De los 2.873 óbitos evitables, 761 (27%) tuvieron lugar en São Paulo, capital; 640 (22%), en la región metropolitana de la capital; y 1.472 (51%) en el interior de la provincia. En las dos primeras regiones predominaron las muertes en hospitales públicos, recién nacidos con edad gestacional inferior a 37 semanas y peso inferior a 2.500g. En el interior, los óbitos fueron más frecuentes en entidades benéficas, recién nacidos a término y con peso superior a 2.500g. La mayoría de los bebés nació durante el día en el municipio de residencia materna y evolucionó a óbito en el hospital de nacimiento hasta 24 horas después del parto. El síndrome de aspiración de meconio estuvo presente en el 18% de los óbitos. CONCLUSIONES: La asfixia perinatal es un contribuyente frecuente a la muerte neonatal temprana evitable en la provincia con el más grande producto interno bruto per capita de Brasil, lo que evidencia la necesidad de intervenciones específicas con enfoque regionalizado en la asistencia al parto y al nacimiento.

Apgar score and neonatal mortality in a hospital located in the southern area of São Paulo City, Brazil / Escore de Apgar e mortalidade neonatal em um hospital localizado na zona sul do município de São Paulo

Objective: To correlate the Apgar score, and neonatal mortality and its causes at a hospital located in the southern area of São Paulo City. Methods: A retrospective study performed by analysis of medical charts (n=7,094) of all live newborns during the period of 2005 to 2009, with data up to 28 days of life in reference to weight, Apgar score, survival and cause of mortality. Cases were analyzed by the X² test (p < 0.05). Results: In 7,094 births, there were 139 deaths, 58.3% during the first week, and 3.6% of them with Apgar < 4 in the 1st minute. A positive association was found between mortality and this variable, with significantly declining values up to 2,000 g in weight. In the group with weight < 1,000 g, the association with Apgar < 4 in the 1st minute with mortality was three-fold greater than in the 1,000-1,500 g weight group, and 35-fold greater than in the ? 3,000 g group. Among newborns with Apgar 8-10, the rate of mortality and low weight was two times greater than in those with weight > 2,499 g. Fetal distress and prematurity were associated with early neonatal death; malformations and fetal distress to late mortality. The predictive value of death with Apgar < 4 varied, according to weight, from 62.74% in the < 1,000 g group to 5.5%, in the > 3,000 g group. Conclusions: The Apgar score proved linked to factors both epidemiological and related to attention given to the birth and neonatal mortality, and was associated with extremely low birth weight.

Objetivo: Correlacionar o escore de Apgar e a mortalidade neonatal e suas causas em um hospital localizado na zona Sul do município de São Paulo. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo por análise de prontuário (n=7.094), de todos os recém-nascidos vivos, no período de 2005 a 2009, com dados referentes até os 28 dias de vida, quanto a peso, escore de Apgar, sobrevida e causa de mortalidade. Os casos foram analisados pelo teste do X² (p < 0,05). Resultados: Nos 7.094 nascimentos, houve 139 óbitos, 58,3% na primeira semana, 3,6% com Apgar < 4 no 1º minuto. Foi encontrada associação positiva entre mortalidade e essa variável, com valores decrescentes significantemente até o peso de 2.000 g. No grupo de peso < 1.000 g, a associação do Apgar < 4 no 1º minuto com mortalidade foi três vezes maior do que no grupo 1.000 a 1.500 g e 35 vezes maior do que no grupo ? 3.000 g. Entre os recém-nascidos com Apgar de 8 a 10, a mortalidade entre baixo peso foi duas vezes maior do que nos de peso > 2.499 g. O sofrimento fetal e a prematuridade se associaram a óbito neonatal precoce; malformações e o sofrimento fetal à mortalidade tardia. O valor preditivo de morrer quando o Apgar < 4 variou, conforme o peso, entre 62,74% no grupo < 1.000 g a 5,5% no grupo > 3.000 g. Conclusões: O escore de Apgar se mostrou ligado a fatores epidemiológicos e de atenção ao parto, à mortalidade neonatal e se associou a extremo baixo peso.

Assessment of Knowledge on Neonatal Resuscitation amongst Health Care Providers in Kenya

Introduction: Competence in neonatal resuscitation; which represents the most urgent pediatric clinical situation; is critical in delivery rooms to ensure safety and health of newly born infants. The challenges experienced by health care providers during this procedure are unique due to different causes of cardio respiratory arrest. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge of health providers on neonatal resuscitation. Methods: Data were gathered among 192 health providers drawn from all counties of Kenya. The clinicians were asked to complete questionnaires which were in two parts as; demographic information and assessment of their knowledge by different scenarios which were formatted in the multiple choice questions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.0 for windows. The results are presented using tables: Results: All the participants were aged 23 years and above with at least a certificate training. Most medical providers had heard of neonatal resuscitation (85.4) with only 23 receiving formal training. The average duration of neonatal training was 3 hours with 50 having missed out on practical exposure. When asked on steps of resuscitation; only 68 (35.4) of the participants scored above 85. More than 70 of them considered their knowledge about neonatal resuscitation inadequate and blamed it on inadequate medical training programs. Conclusion: Health providers; as the key personnel in the management of neonatal resuscitation; in this survey seem to have inadequate training and knowledge on this subject. Increasing the duration and quality of formal training should be considered during the pre-service medical education to ensure acceptable neonatal outcome

Mortalidad neonatal: enfrentando el futuro / Neonatal mortality: confronting the future

El objetivo fue estudiar la mortalidad neonatal de los años 2005 a 2008, conocer su ocurrencia, determinar características maternas, condiciones obstétricas y factores relacionados. Es un estudio observacional analítico de 164 neonatos. Para el lapso hubo 10180 recién nacidos vivos en el Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología. Departamento Clínico Integral de la Costa. Universidad de Carabobo. Hospital Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara, Puerto Cabello, Estado Carabobo. La mortalidad neonatal fue 16.11 por mil recién nacidos vivos o una muerte cada 62 nacidos vivos. Hubo predominio de madres de 24 años y menos (55,56%), en antecedentes familiares destacó la hipertensión arterial (30,86%) y diabetes (4,3%), en antecedentes personales la prematurez (16,1%). El diagnóstico de ingreso fue amenaza de parto prematuro 21,61%, trabajo de parto pre-término 19,14% y rotura prematura de membrana 19,75%. No realizaron control prenatal 64,2%; eran multigestas 63,6%, con edad de embarazo menor igual 36 a semanas 72,22% y resultado en parto normal 71,61%. Predominaron los fetos masculinos (53,66%), con peso menor igual 2.500 g (78,66%) y talla menor igual 49 cm (88,4%), el índice Apgar de 7 y menos (84,75%). El factor de muerte directo conocido prevaleciente en 164 casos fue la insuficiencia repiratoria (53,66%), seguida de sepsis (21,95%) y asfixia perinatal (19,51%).

El objetive was to study the neonatal mortality of the years 2005-2008, knowing its impact, determine the material characteristics, obstetric conditions and related factors. It is a observational and analytical study of 164 neonatal death. For the period there were 10.180 live births in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital "Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara", Puerto Cabello, Estado Carabobo. The neonatal mortality was 16,11 per thousand live births, or one death every 62 births. There were more mothers 24 years or less (55.56%), in personal prematurity (16.1%). The initial diagnosis was premature labor 21.61%, labor preterm 19.14% and pre-term premature rupture of membranes 19.75%. No prenatal care 64.2%, were multiparous 63.6%, with gestational age minor igual 36 weeks 72.22%, and ended in normal delivery 71.61%. A predominance of male fetuses (53,66%) with weight minor igual 2500 g (78.66%) and height minor igual 49 cm (88.4%), Apgar Index of 7 or less (84.75%). Factor prevalent direct death in 164 cases was respiratory failure (53.66%), followed by sepsis (21.95%) and perinatal asphyxia (19.51%).

Mortality in the special care baby unit of the main children's hospital in Tripoli, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

We investigated the prevalence of neonatal deaths in the special care baby unit [SCBU] at the main children's hospital in Tripoli and the factors associated with these deaths. We reviewed the medical records of all neonates who died in our SCBU from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005. A total of 1176 neonates were admitted to our SCBU [59.6% males and 40.4% females]. Of these, 260 [22.1%] died: 165 males and 95 females. The reasons for admission to SCBU of the neonates who died were: prematurity [43.9%], birth asphyxia [16.7%], congenital malformations [15.9%], neonatal infections [14.6%], other reasons [4.6%] and data unavailable [4.3%]. The factors associated with death were: respiratory distress [40.4%], congenital malformation [19.6%], neonatal infections [18.5%] and perinatal asphyxia [15.8%], with 5.8% attributed to other causes. The majority of deaths [63.1%] occurred during the early neonatal period. Mortality in our SCBU is high and action is needed to reduce it with emphasis on prematurity

[Determinants of neonatal mortality in a Tunisian population]

In Tunisia, perinatal mortality remains a public health problem, currently estimated at 28%, including 15% of still birth rate and 10 to 15% of early neonatal mortality rate. The recent investigations show that about half of the deaths at less than five years old are of perinatal origin and that neonatal mortality represents two thirds of infant mortality. Published data regarding neonatal mortality and the causes of death are sparse. to evaluate the neonatal mortality rate over a 2 year period in our population study and to present data collected prospectively on the risk factors and the causes of all neonatal deaths. a prospective cohort compiling all live births reported between January 2007 and December 2008 at Charles Nicolle hospital [Tunis-Tunisia]. All the neonatal deaths that occurred before or after discharge or transferred to other hospitals and subsequently died are included. Births from termination of pregnancy were excluded from all the analyses. Causes of deaths were assigned according the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision [ICD10]. 88 neonatal deaths were recorded over 7285 live births [LB] that is a NMR of 12%o LB. Early neonatal death occurred in 79 cases [88.7%], that is an ENMR of 10.8%o LB. Risk factors directly related to neonatal mortality were prematurity [aOR=6.03- 95%CI: [2-18.13] p=0.001], neonatal respiratory distress [aOR=16.12 - 95%CI: [5.67-45.78] p<10 [-3]], perinatal asphyxia [aOR=11.49- 95%CI: [3.68-35.92] p<10[-3]], nosocomial infection aOR=8.71- 95%CI: [1.77-42.70] p=0.008, and small for gestational age aOR-7.11- 95%CI: [2.23-22.69] p=0.001. 80.6% of underlying causes and 88.6% of immediate causes of death are gathered in the chapter [Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period]. Maternal hypertensive disorders and extreme immaturity due to spontaneous prematurity were respectively responsible for 13.6% and 10.2% of underlying causes of neonatal death. Neonatal mortality remains high, dominated by the conditions originating in the perinatal period. The multitude of the risk factors implies the need for a multidisciplinary strategy of intervention, engaging the pre and perinatal prevention

Asfixia neonatal / Neonatal asphyxia

La asfixia neonatal sigue siendo un problema importante de mortalidad y morbilidad a largo plazo en las unidades de neonatología, a pesar de las mejorasen estudio y monitoreo perinatal. Su principal expresión clínica usada como sinónimo es la encefalopatía hipóxico isquemica. La presente revisión tiene el fin de recordar la etiopatogenia, fisiopatología, expresión clínica y actualizar el manejo y tratamiento establecido como experimental.

Short term Neurodevelopmental outcome of asphyxiated newborns at tertiary care unit

To find out the short term neurodevelopmental outcome of asphyxiated newborns. Cross-sectional study using prospective data. Neonatal unit of Children's Hospital, Lahore from August, 2000 to July, 2001. We included 150 cases of birth asphyxia and survivors were followed till the age of six months and neurodevelopmental status was assessed by Denver developmental screening test II [DDST-II]. Severity of asphyxia was categorized as no encephalopathy, three different stages of HIE. During follow up visits, normal to delayed developmental status was expected. Infants were divided into two groups. Group A included neonates without HIE and group B with encephlopathy. Among group B, newborns developmental delay was found in 9 neonates and 48 neonates died while in group A neonates there was no child who had developmental delay and only six newborns died.[P value<0.05] There were 117 [78%] males, 35 mothers [23%] had antenatal visits to trained medical professionals. Majority of mothers [76%] had their visits to non doctor personnel like midwives, lady health visitors or nurse. Majority [61%] of study population were home delivered, 24% at private clinics and maternity homes while only 14% came from hospitals. Different stages of HIE have strong correlation with the outcome of these neonates. More effort and resources should be directed to this preventable community problem

Risk factor analysis in asphyxiated newborns and their outcome in relation to stage of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE] is one of the common causes of neonatal mortality and long term sequale. The incidence is reported at 2-9/1000 live births. To find out the frequency of risk factors in asphyxiated newborns and outcome of these newborns in relation to the stage of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in hospital setting. Prospective descriptive study. This study was conducted in the Neonatology Unit of the Department of Paediatrics Unit-II, King Edward Medical University/Mayo hospital, Lahore, over a period of six months from April 01, 2006, to September 30, 2006. All the asphyxiated babies admitted during study period were included in study. Babies having congenital anomalies were excluded. The mothers were interviewed by using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Out of 449 total admissions in study period, 227[51%] babies were asphyxiated. Eighty five [37%] newborns had stage I HIE, 39% had stage II and 24% had stage III HIE. One hundred and sixty four [73%] were full term. Majority of the newborns were male [60%]. One hundred and thirteen [49%] newborns were between 1.5 and 2.5kg. One hundred and thirty four [59%] babies delivered normally while seventy four [33%] were delivered by caesarian section. Hundred and sixty seven [74%] newborns were referred from government hospitals. Most of the deliveries [80%] were conducted by doctors. Majority of the mothers [48%] were below 25 years of age, 34% mothers were primigravida and 33% mothers received general anesthesia during labor. One hundred and sixty five [73%] babies had cephalic presentation. None of the deliveries were attended by a paediatrician in any of the cases. Maternal hypertension was found in 53 [23%] mothers, gestational diabetes in 9 [4%], hypoxia in 6 [3%], anemia in 31 [14%], toxemia in 19 [8%], pelvic abnormality in 30 [13%] and antepartum hemorrhage in 14 [6%]. No mother was found to be smoker. Eight [4%] babies had cord around the neck during delivery. One hundred and ten [48%] newborns were brought to the neonatal unit within one hour of delivery. Majority 21% of HIE I remained admitted in neonatology unit for less than 24 hours while 27[12%] of babies of HIE III died within 24 hour of admission. Among the factors studied, gestational age, weight, mode of delivery, birth attendant, sedation during labor and late arrival in neonatal unit were found to be significant with p value of < 0.05. HIE is caused by the risk factors that may be antepartum, intrapartum or postpartum. Monitoring for the known risk factors of asphyxia, proper training of primary birth attendants and improvement in neonatal resuscitation services can minimize the incidence of HIE

Brain white matter lesions correlated to newborns death and lethality

OBJECTIVES: to describe hospital lethality rates and factors correlated to death in neonates with brain white matter lesions. METHODS: a retrospective study was performed from January 1994 to December 2001. Neonates with white brain matter lesions were divided into survival and death groups and their medical files reviewed through the single blind method to determine evolution. Death certificates provided the cause of death. The groups were compared through correlation coefficients. Hospital lethality rate was calculated. RESULTS: ninety three cases of white brain matter lesions and seven deaths were determined. Hospital lethality rate was of 8.2. percent (95 percentCI: 2.4-14.0) independently from lesion occurrence time, and of 10.3 percent (95 percentCI: 3.3-17.3) for deaths occurred during prenatal and perinatal periods. Death was correlated to: Apgar score, non-cephalic presentation, gestational age, hyperglicemia, hypercalcemia, convulsion, respiratory insufficiency and atelectasy. CONCLUSIONS: hospital lethality was of 10.3 percent generating the following hypothesis: perinatal asphyxia must be the principal direct and indirect etiologic factor (aggravating the expression of prematurity and infection diseases), of prenatal and perinatal mortality among newborns with white brain matter lesions; and <7 Apgar score in the 5th minute associated to brain white matter lesions, are markers for perinatal asphyxia diagnosis.

OBJETIVOS: descrever a taxa de letalidade hospitalar e fatores correlacionados com o óbito em crianças com lesão da substância branca cerebral (LSB). MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo realizado de janeiro de 1994 a dezembro de 2001. Os neonatos com LSB foram divididos em sobreviventes ou óbito, e seus prontuários revisados de forma cega para a evolução. Dos atestados de óbito, a causa de morte. Os grupos foram comparados por coeficientes de correlação. Calculada a taxa de letalidade hospitalar. RESULTADOS: foram encontrados 93 casos de LSB e sete óbitos. A taxa de letalidade hospitalar foi de 8,2 por cento, (IC95 por cento: 2,4-14,0), independentemente da época de instalação da lesão, e de 10,3 por cento (IC95 por cento: 3,3-17,3) para aqueles de ocorrência pré/perinatal. O óbito correlacionou-se com: escore de Apgar, apresentação não-cefálica, idade gestacional, hiperglicemia, hipercalcemia, convulsão, insuficiência respiratória e atelectasia. CONCLUSÕES: a letalidade hospitalar foi de 10,3 por cento e as seguintes hipóteses foram geradas: a asfixia perinatal deve ser o principal fator etiológico, direto e indireto (agravando a expressão das doenças da prematuridade e da infecção), da mortalidade pré/perinatal entre neonatos com LSB; e o escore de Apgar do 5o minuto <7, associado à LSB, são marcadores para o diagnóstico de asfixia perinatal.

Retrospective analysis of autopsy on 49 cases of medical tangles in perinatal period / 法医学杂志

Medical tangles caused by the death of women and infants in perinatal period are very normal in the forensic appraisal. The author collected and analyzed 49 cases of these tangles from many aspects, such as sex and age of the dead, hospital,information of autopsy, fault of medical action and so on,and discovered the normal causes of death, medical action's effects and the causes of tangle. It would be useful to the forensic appraisal, settlement and prevention of these medical tangles.

Benefits of maternal participation in newborn nurseries.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of active involvement of mothers/mother substitutes in day-to-day care of high risk neonates admitted in a level II newborn care unit. METHODS: An observational study was carried out over a period of eleven years incorporating active participation of mothers/substitute in the day to day care of their sick neonates. The outcome is assessed in terms of mortality due to the three major illnesses (asphyxia, sepsis and prematurity) during this phase. The data is compared with that of a similar level II care centre where conventional neonatal care is practised. RESULTS: There is a significant and sustainable reduction in neonatal mortality due to the three major illnesses when the mothers are also involved in the neonatal care, in spite of a considerable increase in the number of admissions during this period. CONCLUSION: The concept of active participation of mother/substitute in neonatal nursery ensures 1:1 care at all times. It is a cheap and effective alternative to inadequacy of bed:nurse ratio (BNR).

Neonatal mortality in a district hospital setup

To evaluate the causes and risk factors of neonatal mortality, in a non-tertiary district hospital nursery. Descriptive study. This study was carried out in the Neonatal Unit of Social Security Hospital Muzuffar Garh, Pakistan from 1st May 2004 to 30th April 2005. All newborns admitted in the nursery during study period were counted and the expired ones were evaluated in detail for the cause of death. A total of 410 neonates were admitted during study period, 53.65% were male and 46.35 females. 47.22% were admitted within 1st 24 hours of their life, and 61.66% within 72 hours of birth. 56.66% of the expired neonates were low birth weight. Neonatal sepsis being the commonest cause of death [44%], 35% being of EOS and 65% cases of LOS. 2"d commonest cause of neonatal death was birth asphyxia [22%] and the third commonest cause was prematurity [19%] with its complications. Other causes of neonatal mortality were neonatal jau ndice [2.77%], meconium aspiration syndrome [1.66%], hyaline membrane disease [6.66%], neural tube defects [1.11%] and congenital heart disease [1.66%]. Many babies had more than one of the above said causes. Neonatal sepsis, birth asphyxia and prematurity are the major killers in nurseries

Neonatal outcome in the United Arab Emirates: the effect of changes in resources and practices

Selective improvements in neonatal care resources and practices were instituted between 1992/1994 [period 1] and 1995/1998 [period 2] following a neonatal audit in the United Arab Emirates. We evaluated the effect of these changes on neonatal mortality rate [NNMR], birth-weight-specific mortality rates and causes of mortality. Overall there was a 17% decline in the NNMR from periods 1 to 2. Mortality rates in infants with birth weight < 1000 g and > 2500 g decreased by 36% and 35% respectively from periods 1 to 2. Modest declines in deaths from asphyxia, sepsis and complications of preterm births occurred from periods 1 to 2 but the differences were not statistically significant

Burden of perinatal conditions in Yemen: a 12-year hospital-based study

We conducted a 12-year retrospective analysis of perinatal characteristics at Al-Sabeen Hospital, Sana'a. There were 62168 births, 2936 stillbirths and 5434 perinatal deaths. There were 14 576 [24.6%] preterm low-birth-weight [LBW] babies. Early neonatal death [ENND] rate was 42.2/1000 live births. Of the 10 546 neonates admitted to the special baby care unit [SBCU], 40.1% were preterm LBW and 2147 [20.4%] died [80.6% were preterm LBW]. The last 4 years showed a 17.2% increase in stillbirths and a 40.5% reduction in ENND compared with the first 4 years. In the SBCU, reduction in ENND was > 70%. Respiratory distress accounted for 63.8% of deaths in the SBCU and birth asphyxia 15.0%. Our results reflect the poor antenatal and delivery care services in Yemen

Severe perinatal asphyxia: incidence, risk facrors and short-term outcome in a regional hospital in Oman

This study was aimed to document the incidence, risk factors and short-term outcome of severe perinatal asphyxia in a regional referral hospital in Oman. Of the 7487 babies delivered in our hospital during a 3-year period [1999-2001], 61 [8.2 per thousand] suffered severe perinatal asphyxia. Twenty One other severely asphyxiated babies, delivered elsewhere, were referred to us for care. The identified risk factors in all these 82 babies comprised mainly of complications of labour or delivery [in 53 babies, 66%], low birth weight [in 24 babies, 29%] and maternal disease [17 instances, 21%]. Some babies had multiple risk factors. Eighteen [22%] of the babies died, 15 [18%] survived but with residual neurodeficit, while 49 [60%] survived apparently intact. Predictors of an adverse outcome included an Apgar score of zero at one minute, or less than 4 at 5 minutes, low birth weight, and cerebral oedema or haemorrhage. Infants of primiparous mothers also fared poorly. We conclude that perinatal asphyxia is still a significant problem in our practice area. Many of the risk factors are potentially preventable. But attainment of that goal requires sustained health education, continuing improvements in the health services, and a change in societal attitude, especially in terms of reproductive demands on women

Use of Wigglesworth classification for the assessment of perinatal mortality in Bangladesh--a preliminary study.

The Wigglesworth pathophysiological classification was used to analyse perinatal deaths occurring in 5 health centres in Bangladesh. The aims were to assess the feasibility of this classification, to determine the causes of perinatal deaths and thereby to identify the areas in need of intervention. A total of 8058 births were recorded at 5 centres during the period of 11 months from mid-January to mid-December 2001. There were 1069 deaths in the perinatal period. Stillbirths were slightly more frequent (53.5%) than early neonatal deaths (46.5%). Among the stillbirths, fresh stillbirths predominated over normally formed macerated ones at all centers except BIRDEM, where the majority (52.5%) was macerated. The majority (71.6%) of perinatal deaths were in the groups comprising asphyxial conditions (46.8%), conditions associated with immaturity (13.3%), and normally formed macerated stillbirths (NFMSB, 11.5%). In the group, 'other specific conditions' which was responsible for 9.3% of perinatal deaths, all but one case was attributed to sepsis. When the cases were subdivided by birth groups, asphyxia predominated in all but the <1000g group, in whom immaturity was responsible. Conditions associated with immaturity were second highest in number. The majority of the perinatal deaths (83.4%) was in babies less than 2500g. The study has shown that the Wigglesworth classification can be used in different types of health facilities in Bangladesh by doctors, nurses and midwives. The areas which need intervention are antepartum care, obstetric and newborn care practices, and environmental factors responsible for the high prevalence of prematurity and low birth weight.