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Birthweight-specific neonatal mortality in developing countries and obstetric practices.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate birthweight-specific neonatal mortality and perinatal interventions in major medical centers in developed and developing countries. METHODS: A survey was developed and electronically mailed to 13 medical centers participating in the Global Network for Perinatal and Reproductive Health (GNPRH). The ability of a center to provide requested data was assessed. The mortality rates and use of specific perinatal interventions in centers in developing countries were compared with developed countries. RESULTS: Nine centers in developing countries responded to the survey, and three centers in developed countries were used for comparison. Data collection was highly variable. Most developing country centers were able to provide data by birthweight but not by gestational age. The differences in mortality rates between developing and developed countries were more pronounced at lower gestational ages and birthweights. A difference was found in perinatal interventions between developing and developed countries. In the former, viability was generally considered 28 weeks, and the gestational age at which cesarean sections were usually performed for the sake of the fetus at preterm gestations varied from 26 to 37 weeks. Most centers did not routinely induce for pPROM; only five out of nine centers used antibiotics to prolong latency. Most centers used tocolysis beginning at 26-28 weeks through 32-37 weeks, and a variety of tocolytic agents were used. Most centers routinely used corticosteroids for preterm infants, and all centers employed repeat weekly steroid dosing if undelivered. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that the GNPRH centers included in this study represent some of the best health care available in these countries, they lag far behind centers in developed countries in neonatal mortality rates and their use of various obstetric practices. Furthermore, incomplete and inconsistent data collection complicates the evaluation of the factors contributing to high neonatal mortality rates.

Birth Weight↗

Neonatal mortality: an analysis of the recent improvement in the United States.

To test the hypothesis that the recent substantial decline in the United States neonatal mortality rate (20.0/1000 in 1950 to 11.6/1000 in 1975) is associated with improvements in perinatal medical care, we examined this change in relation to the two primary components which determine neonatal mortality: birthweight distribution and birthweight-specific mortality. No improvement in the weight distribution of U.S. live births has occurred during this 25-year period, indicating that the change in neonatal mortality is attributable to improved survival for one or more birthweight groups. Decline in the mortality rate in the first 15 years was slow; three-fourths of the decline in the entire 25-year period occurred since 1965. With the exception of perinatal medical care, factors known to affect survival at a given birthweight have not changed in prevalence in the 25-year period. It is a plausible hypothesis that improved perinatal medical care is a major factor in declining neonatal mortality in the U.S.

Birth Weight↗

Determinants of neonatal mortality rates in the U.S. A reduced form model.

The aim of this paper is to contribute to an understanding of the determinants of differences in race-specific neonatal mortality rates among large counties of the U.S. in 1977. After estimating cross-sectional regressions, we apply their coefficients to national trends in the exogenous variables to 'explain' the rapid decline in neonatal mortality since 1964. The regressions and the extrapolations point to the importance of abortion availability, neonatal intensive care availability, females' schooling levels, Medicaid, and to a lesser extent Bureau of Community Health Services projects, poverty, maternal nutrition programs and organized family planning in trends in black neonatal mortality between 1964 and 1977. They also underscore the importance of schooling, neonatal intensive care, poverty, Medicaid, maternal nutrition programs, abortion, and organized family planning clinics in trends in white neonatal mortality in those years.

Black or African American↗

[Differential patterns of neonatal and post-neonatal mortality rates in Goiânia, Brazil, 1992-1996: use of spatial analysis to identify high-risk areas].

The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial pattern of neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in the city of Goiânia, Central Brazil. Analyses were based on linked birth and death certificates relating to 101,000 in-hospital live births from mothers residing in the city of Goiânia over the 1992-1996 period. Overall neonatal and post-neonatal mortality probabilities were calculated using the linked database. The empirical Bayes method was applied to smooth the estimated rates and minimize random fluctuation. Spatial units of analysis were 65 urban districts, corresponding to the urban planning sectors. The following exploratory spatial analyses were applied: "global" Moran's I statistic, local Moran LISA map, and Gi* local statistics. For both neonatal and post-neonatal mortality there was statistically significant spatial autocorrelation. Results of post-neonatal mortality showed a high-risk cluster located on the outskirts of the city. For the neonatal period, a heterogeneous mortality pattern was found with high-risk districts in all regions, including central areas.

Brazil↗

[Risk factors for neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in the Central-West region of Brazil: linkage between live birth and infant death data banks].

This article focused on risk factors for neonatal and post-neonatal mortality by linking live births and infant death records. The study was conducted in the municipality of Goiânia, in the Central-West region of Brazil. A total of 20,981 live births and 342 infant deaths constitute the retrospective cohort. Neonatal and post-neonatal mortality risks were estimated in this cohort study of live births by logistic regression. In the neonatal period, the highest ORs were for delivery in public hospitals (OR = 2.28; 95% CI 1.57-3.32), pre-term neonates (OR = 8.94; 95% CI 5.85-13.67), and low birth weight (OR = 8.92; 95% CI 5.77-13.79). Cesarean delivery appeared as a protective factor (OR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.43-0.78). For post-neonatal mortality, the highest ORs were for illiterate mothers (OR = 6.25; 95% CI 1.25-31.27), low birth weight (OR = 3.12; 95% CI 1.67-5.84), and delivery in public hospitals (OR = 2.65; 95% CI 1. 13-6.23). The linkage identified socioeconomic variables that were more important risk factors for post-neonatal than neonatal mortality.

Adult↗

Relationship of cesarean delivery to lower birth weight-specific neonatal mortality in singleton breech infants in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: The preferred route of delivery for breech presentation has been controversial. We compared the birth weight-specific neonatal mortality of vaginal births to cesarean births in singleton births with breech presentation. METHODS: A total of 371,692 singleton live births with breech presentation were selected for the study from the United States birth cohorts for the years 1989-1991. Differences in birth weight specific mortality were compared using a z-statistic for differences in proportions and by logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared to primary vaginal births, primary cesarean births had significantly lower neonatal mortality for all birth weight groups, despite increased prevalence of fetal malformations in the cesarean as compared with vaginally delivered group. This mortality difference was greatest in the first hour of life. Difference in overall neonatal (less than 28 days) mortality rate ranged from a low of 1.6-fold in the 500-749 g group (726.6 per 1000 vaginal births compared with 456.3 per 1000 cesarean births, P < .001) to as high as about three-fold in the 1250-1499 g group (232.9 per 1000 vaginal births compared to 72.5 per 1000 cesarean births, P < .001). In the group with birth weights over 2500 g, neonatal mortality in the primary vaginal births was 5.3 per 1000 and in the primary cesarean births, 3.2 per 1000 (P < .001). Similarly, repeat cesarean births had significantly lower birth weight-specific neonatal mortality, compared with vaginal births after previous cesarean. CONCLUSION: Singleton live births with breech presentation delivered by cesarean had lower birth weight-specific neonatal mortality as compared with vaginal births.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Neonatal mortality for very low birth weight deliveries in South Carolina by level of hospital perinatal service.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether neonatal mortality rates for very low birth weight (500 to 1499 g) infants born in South Carolina differ by level of perinatal services available at the hospital of birth. STUDY DESIGN: Linked live birth certificates and infant death certificates for 1993 through 1995 were used. Birth weight-specific neonatal mortality rates among 2375 very low birth weight infants were estimated and analyzed by race and by level of perinatal services at the hospital of birth. Rates were compared with chi2 analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of very low birth weight deliveries occurred in level III hospitals. The overall neonatal mortality rate was 178 deaths/1000 very low birth weight live births. Neonatal mortality rates, adjusted for birth weight and race, were significantly higher (P < .05) for infants born in level I hospitals (267 deaths/1000 live births), all level II hospitals (232 deaths/1000 live births), and level II hospitals with neonatologists (213 deaths/1000 live births) than for infants born in level III centers (146 deaths/1000 live births). CONCLUSION: Very low birth weight infants are more likely to survive if born in level III hospitals than in level I or II facilities, with or without neonatologists. Obstetric providers should support public health efforts and perinatal health systems to ensure that all women have access to a strong system of risk-appropriate perinatal care.

Adult↗

Lack of difference in neonatal mortality between blacks and whites served by the same medical care system.

To study the influence of health care systems on racial differences in low birthweight and neonatal mortality, an historical cohort analysis was conducted using birth and linked birth and death certificates of infants delivered in Pierce County, Washington, between 1982 and 1985. Overall, black infants had significantly higher rates of low birthweight than white infants. Black infants served by civilian medical care had approximately twice the neonatal mortality of white infants; however, black infants born in the military hospital had a neonatal mortality rate comparable to white infants. Controlling for marital status, age, parity, and income status did not appreciably change these patterns. Military care appeared to be associated with a protective effect for neonatal mortality for blacks. This effect was not due to differences in birthweight distribution or to the quantity of prenatal care received. The effect was most prominent for normal weight black infants, especially for those from low-income census tracts. The findings have possible implications for pediatric access issues for the poor and for the family practice model of perinatal care continuity.

Black or African American↗

[Evaluation of neonatal mortality in very low birth weight infants in four maternity hospitals in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil].

The objective of this study was to describe the causes of neonatal mortality in four maternity hospitals in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The study included all very low birth weight newborns during the first complete 27 days of life. The distribution of live newborns and all very low birth weight newborns as well as the percentage of deaths per hospital and the totals were described. The study estimated total and specific neonatal mortality coefficients and assessed viability, time, and causes of death. The study sample consisted of 487 newborns. We found an 11.3 neonatal mortality rate (8.3 early neonatal and 2.9 late neonatal). Viability for all very low birth weight newborns was above 26 weeks' gestation and birth weight of 749 g. Mortality was low in the first three days of life, mainly in the first day, and higher from the fourth to the 28th day. Sepsis was the main cause of neonatal mortality. Health systems managers should focus on: diagnosis and control of perinatal infections; decreasing neonatal hospital infection by reducing overcrowding in the nursery; and routine pathological investigation on all placentas in very low birth weight newborns as well as routine autopsies in case of death.

Brazil↗

A closer examination of neonatal mortality rates among the Texas Spanish surname population.

Considering the poor socioeconomic status of the Spanish surnamed population in Texas, the Spanish surname neonatal mortality rate seems surprisingly low. During five of the last 10 years, the neonatal mortality rate for Texas Spanish surnamed population was actually lower than for Anglos. It is often suggested that the low Spanish surname neonatal mortality rate is due in part to reporting problems peculiar to the Spanish surname population in Texas. Linked birth and neonatal death records of Texas residents are examined for evidence of underreporting or misreporting of Spanish surnamed neonatal deaths. It is found that discrepancies in coding race on the birth and death records cause a minor deflation of Spanish surname neonatal and infant mortality rates. Indirect evidence indicates that there may be a substantial amount of underreporting of Spanish surname neonatal deaths. This underreporting appears to be associated with the presence of a large number of Mexican nationals misidentified as Texas residents, and the greater reliance upon lay midwives by the Spanish surname population in Texas. Reasons proposed to explain a reluctance to report neonatal deaths include fear of contact with authorities, and fear that a reported death would diminish the value of the birth certificate.

Adult↗

Cesarean section rates and maternal and neonatal mortality in low-, medium-, and high-income countries: an ecological study.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean section rates show a wide variation among countries in the world, ranging from 0.4 to 40 percent, and a continuous rise in the trend has been observed in the past 30 years. Our aim was to explore the association of cesarean section rates of different countries with their maternal and neonatal mortality and to test the hypothesis that in low-income countries, increasing cesarean section rates were associated with reductions in both outcomes, whereas in high-income countries, such association did not exist. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional multigroup ecological study using data from 119 countries from 1991 to 2003. These countries were classified into 3 categories: low-income (59 countries), medium-income (31 countries), and high-income (29 countries) countries according to an international classification. We assessed the ecological association between national cesarean section rates and maternal and neonatal mortality by fitting multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: Median cesarean section rates were lower in low-income than in medium- and high-income countries. Seventy-six percent of the low-income countries, 16 percent of the medium-income countries, and 3 percent of high-income countries showed cesarean section rates between 0 and 10 percent. Three percent of low-income countries, 36 percent of medium-income countries, and 31 percent of high-income countries showed cesarean section rates above 20 percent. In low-income countries, a negative and statistically significant linear correlation was observed between cesarean section rates and neonatal mortality and between cesarean section rates and maternal mortality. No association was observed in medium- and high-income countries for either neonatal mortality or maternal mortality. CONCLUSIONS: No association between cesarean section rates and maternal or neonatal mortality was shown in medium- and high-income countries. Thus, it becomes relevant for future good-quality research to assess the effect of the high figures of cesarean section rates on maternal and neonatal morbidity. For low-income countries, and on confirmation by further research, making cesarean section available for high-risk pregnancies could contribute to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, whereas a system of care with cesarean section rates below 10 percent would be unlikely to cover their needs.

Adult↗

Levels and determinants of early neonatal mortality in Natal, northeastern Brazil: results of a surveillance and case-control study.

An institution-based surveillance and nested case-control study was conducted in Natal, Northeastern Brazil to estimate the level and determinants of early neonatal mortality. The early neonatal mortality rate was 25.5 per 1000 live-birth, 75% of early neonatal deaths were premature low birthweight infants, and the mortality rates were 591 and 318 per 1000 respectively, for preterm small for gestational age (PT-SGA) and preterm appropriate for gestational age (PT-AGA) infants. Mortality was 50 per 1000 for term low birthweight, and 8.6 for term normal birthweight AGA infants. In addition to prematurity and low birthweight, the main risk factors associated with early neonatal death were maternal smoking, complications during pregnancy or intrapartum, and inadequate antenatal care. The associations were weaker for prepregnancy factors such as single marital status or low maternal body weight, and no significant associations were observed with socioeconomic status. These findings suggest that in this population, efforts to reduce early neonatal death should focus on improved maternal care and the prevention of prematurity.

Brazil↗

Causes of neonatal mortality in Spain (1975-98): influence of sex, rural-urban residence and age at death.

Neonatal mortality during the first week of life, corresponding to the years 1975-1998, was studied in Spain. The first week of life is the time in which the highest number of deaths occur. The temporal decrease of the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) was modelled according to log10(NMR+1)= 2.784 - 0.023 per year. This decline cannot be explained by an increase in the mean birth weight (MBW=23440.835 - 10.107 g per year). From the most frequent of the causes of death to the least were: congenital anomalies, preterm born or low birth weight, respiratory problems, pregnancy difficulties, hypoxaemia/asphyxia, delivery difficulties and infectious diseases. This sequence changed when the specific age at death was considered. The NMR descended evenly for both sexes for the causes indicated above, except for preterm born or low birth weight, in which the male mortality decrease was greater since its rate was more elevated at the beginning of the period studied. For all the causes listed, NMR was more elevated both in urban areas and for males. Early neonatal mortality (first 24 hours) was higher for pregnancy difficulties, preterm born or low birth weight, congenital anomalies and hypoxaemia/asphyxia.

Birth Certificates↗

Neonatal mortality in normal birth weight babies: does the level of hospital care make a difference?

Although neonatal intensive care for low birth weight infants has been extensively studied, few researchers have looked at the impact of the level of care at the delivery hospital for infants weighing greater than 2500 gm. Using linked birth-death records from Georgia for 1979 to 1982, we examined the effect that the level of care available at the hospital of delivery had on neonatal mortality in infants weighing 2500 gm and above. We used a risk scoring system designed for use with vital records to determine prepartum risk and the presence or absence of a complication of labor as indicated on the birth certificate to determine intrapartum risk. We found that women with a high prepartum risk score had increased neonatal mortality at level 1 hospitals. Women who developed a complication of labor, regardless of their prepartum risk status, had the highest neonatal mortality rates when they delivered at level 1 hospitals. We suggest prenatal risk assessment for all women and referral of high risk women to level 2 or 3 hospitals for delivery even at term.

Birth Weight↗

Risk factors for neonatal mortality in low-income population subgroups in Karachi, Pakistan.

This paper assesses the risk factors for neonatal mortality (0-28 days of life) for full-term singleton live births. The study sample comprised 1,011 ever-married women who were residents of four multi-ethnic, multi-religious low-income areas of Karachi, Pakistan during 1995. The analysis sample was restricted to 4,488 live births to 912 women. Results showed that 4.8% (n = 217) of all births ended in death in the neonatal period, and 76% (n = 164) of these neonatal deaths occurred in the first week of life. While neonatal mortality rates had declined appreciably over time, a large proportion of neonatal deaths were clustered in a small group of women. The univariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between a number of maternal-level parameters (e.g., mother's age at birth, level of formal education, employment status, religious affiliation, and consanguinity) and child-level parameters (e.g., birth order, birth interval, survival status of the preceding child, sex of the neonate, year of death). At the multivariate level, consanguinity, birth order and year of death were found to be statistically significant risk factors for neonatal mortality analyses despite adjustment for death clustering. The study highlights the importance of inbreeding as a determinant of early offspring death, and points to the need for better understanding of why deaths are clustered in certain families. Given the widespread practice of close cousin marriages in Pakistan across all socio-economic groups, there is a need to validate the findings in less economically disadvantaged population subgroups within the country.

Journal Article↗

[Predictive value of SNAP and SNAP-PE for neonatal mortality]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology and the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension as neonatal mortality predictors in our neonatal intensive care unit, and to compare their results. METHODS: All newborn infants admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit from March 1997 through December 1998 were prospectively evaluated just at completion of 24 hours of life for SNAP and SNAP-PE. Exclusion criteria were: death or discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit in the first 24 hours of life, congenital malformations incompatible with life, and outborn infants. RESULTS: 553 newborn infants were included in the study and 54 died. The median SNAP and SNAP-PE values were higher in those who died. Infants were allocated to five different raising ranges of SNAP and SNAP-PE severity. SNAP: up to 6, 7-11, 12-15, 16-24, higher than 24 (mortality: 3%, 11%, 29%, 48%,75%, respectively). SNAP-PE: up to 11, 12-23, 24-32, 33-50, higher than 50 (mortality: 3%, 10%, 53%, 78%, 83%, respectively). The optimal cut off points based on ROC curve were 12 for SNAP, and 24 for SNAP-PE. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for death were figured out. SNAP 12: sensitivity 79.6%, specificity 71.7%, PPV 23.4%, NPV 97%. SNAP-PE 24: sensitivity 79.6%, specificity 80%, PPV 30%, NPV 97.3%. The area under the curve (Az) were 81.4% for SNAP, and 85.1% for SNAP-PE, both statistically significant. There were no statistical differences between the two areas under the curve. CONCLUSIONS: SNAP and SNAP-PE are excellent predictors of neonatal survival. Therefore, we recommend their use in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

Journal Article↗

Neonatal mortality determinants in Jamaica.

The Jamaican Perinatal Survey included among its objectives the quantification of the island's neonatal mortality rate, the identification of the causes of these deaths (Wigglesworth Classification), and the determination of characteristics of both mother and infant that are associated with increased mortality. A death questionnaire was completed on babies who were born between September 1986 and August 1987, and who died in the neonatal period throughout the island of Jamaica. The neonatal mortality rate was 17.9 per 1000 live births with early and late rates of 16.0 and 1.9 per 1000, respectively. The major contributors to neonatal demise were prematurity and intrapartum asphyxia (74 per cent). Twins had a seven-fold greater risk of dying than singletons. Babies born to mothers under 15 years had a four-fold greater risk of dying than those of mothers 25-29 years. The neonatal mortality rate for Jamaica is high, with room for improvement, particularly in the prevention of perinatal asphyxia.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗