Trends in Neonatal Mortality Rate by gestational age over 3 decades in a tertiary neonatal unit

Abstract

Abstract

IntroductionIndia contributes the most to neonatal mortality in the world. Although Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has dropped significantly over the last two decades, the decrease is not in proportion to the drop in under-5 mortality rate.      Analysis of Neonatal MortalityRates  by gestational age over 3 decades will give an indication of the magnitude of change in specific gestational ages to help manage efforts to decrease neonatal mortality.

Aims and Objectives To determine the neonatal mortality rates by gestational age in three years spread over 3          decades. (1998, 2006, 2016)

Methodolog A retrospective observational study was        conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in South India.Theperinatal mortality data              wasanalysed for the three years 1998, 2006 and 2016.     Numbers pertaining to neonatal and perinatal mortality were available as per birth weight and gestational age for the 3 years. Data was analysed to see changes in trends of        neonatal mortality in these years.

Results Neonatal mortality rates were more for lesser       gestational ages in all 3 years studied. The neonatal mortality rate in each gestational age decreased with time over the period studied and was most marked for babies more than 30 weeks.