Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality Pattern in Federal Medical Centre, Birnin kebbi, North- western Nigeria: A wakeup Call

Abstract

Background: Neonatal mortality is still a significant contributor to under-5 mortality. In 2019 alone close to 50% of global under-5 mortality was due to neonatal death. To attain the SDG targets, there is a need for improvement in neonatal care including constant review of neonatal morbidity/ mortality. This study assessed the pattern of neonatal morbidity and mortality in Federal Medical Centre, Birnin- Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Subjects and methods: The records of newborns admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) over a 12 month period (May 2020 to April 2021) were reviewed. Information obtained included the sex, age at admission, gestational age, birth/admission weights, duration of hospitalization, diagnosis, and outcome of treatment.

Results: There were a total of 604 neonatal admissions but 600 had complete records. Of the 600, 62.2% were males and 37.8%, females; 56.0% were delivered by SVD while 51.2% were in-borns. Most (68.3%) babies were admitted within 24 hours of life and 57.1% were admitted for 1- 7 days. Babies weighing 2.5- 3.99 kg constituted 56.5% of the subjects. Perinatal asphyxia was the commonest disease managed (29.0%) and death resulting from it accounted for 44.4% of all recorded mortalities. Analysis of the outcome revealed a mortality rate of 21% during the period under review.

Conclusion/ Recommendations

The mortality rate in the present study was high and mostly due to preventable causes. In order to stem the tide, there is a need to improve perinatal care, emergency obstetric care services, and neonatal resuscitation skills. Improved government spending on newborn care is also paramount.