Pattern of Neonatal Mortality in a Teritiary Health Facility in Umuahia, South East, Nigeria

Background: Neonatal mortality rates are highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria inclusive. And so the aim of the current study was to audit the pattern of neonatal deaths.
Study Design: A cross sectional retrospective descriptive study was undertaken.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Newborn Special Care Unit (NBSCU) of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia with a review of the admissions and mortality register between 2000 and 2010.
Methods: A review of the admissions and mortality register of the NBSCU between 2000 and 2010 was undertaken. Data extracted from the register included socio-demographic variables, birth weight, diagnosis/cause of death, duration of hospitalization, place of delivery (inborn/out-born), source of referral.
Results: Total admission over the period was 2,756 comprising 1541 (55.9%) males and 1215 (44.1%) females. Total deaths was 440, comprising 235 (53.4%) males and 205 (46.6%) females.An overall case fatality rate of 16.0% was reported in the current study with mean age at death being 4.7± 6.0 days (0.01- 28 days).
Majority of the dead cases were out-born, 263/440 (59.8%) compared to in-born, 177/440 (40.2%).
Forty two percent (185 cases) of the deaths occurred with 24 hours of hospitalization while 25.9% (114 cases) passed on after 72 hours of admission.
The leading probable direct causes of neonatal deaths were birth asphyxia (141), preterm delivery (133), neonatal sepsis (58), severe neonatal Jaundice (41), and neonatal tetanus (14).
Most deaths (42.0%) occurred in the first 24hours irrespective of the cause of death.
Conclusion: High rate of neonatal mortality, most of which are largely preventable as observed in the index study still abound in our locale.
High cost effective maternal and newborn interventions could be applied even at community levels where most of the deliveries occur to save lives of the newborns.