Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACK GROUND:
The neonatal mortality rate is a key outcome indicator for newborn care and directly reflects
prenatal, natal, and postnatal care. Early neonatal deaths are more closely associated with
pregnancy related factors and maternal health, whereas late neonatal deaths are associated
more with factors in the newborn`s environment.
OBJECTIVE:
To find out the neonatal mortality rate and to identify the factors related with neonatal
mortality among neonates admitted in the Aseptic Neonatal Care Unit of Fatema AL Zahraa
Hospital.
METHODS:
A cross - sectional hospital-based study was done depending on data collected from records of
the Aseptic Neonatal Care Unit (ANCU) of Fatema AL Zahraa Hospital in Baghdad, to find
out the number of deaths within the neonatal period (0-28 days) that was conducted from 1st of
Jan 2017 to 31st of Dec 2017. Data was also, collected from Obstetrical Ward to determine the
number of live births for the same period. The data was collected by using special form
including; the number of deaths in neonatal period, cause of death, neonatal gender, gestational
age, birth weight, mother`s age, educational level, history of congenital anomaly in previous
pregnancy , antenatal care, parity, consanguinity, type of delivery, pregnancy outcome, total
number of live births, and history of medical disease during pregnancy .
RESULTS:
The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) was 14.37 per 1000 live birth. NMR was very high
among low-birth-weight preterm infants, (50%) of mothers completed the primary school,
(71.89 %) of mothers had positive history for Consanguinity,15% of mothers had positive
history of congenital anomaly in previous pregnancy,(70.41%) of mothers were in the (20-35
years) age group. Normal vaginal delivery (NVD) in (63.01%) of cases. The most common
cause of neonatal deaths in the preterm delivery was respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and
in the full term delivery was asphyxia.
CONCLUSION:
The neonatal mortality rate was 14.37 per 1000 live birth. The maternal and neonatal
demographic data that were related with increased NMR were prematurity, lack of antenatal
care, multipara mother, repeated CS, mother`s hypertension, and consanguineous marriage.
.