Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality Pattern in a Mission Hospital in Nigeria: A Facility-Based One Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Neonatal period is sensitive due to the physiological adaptations newborns make to adapt to extra uterine environment. High percentage of mortality during infancy occur during this period especially in developing countries. Nigeria neonatal mortality record is among the worst in the world. This study examined morbidity and mortality pattern of neonates admitted to Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) Catholic hospital, Okeofa Ibadan. This hospital-based retrospective study was carried out among admitted neonates at OLA Catholic hospital Oluyoro Ibadan, for a period of 1 year from May, 2017 to June 2018. Overall, 360 complete case notes were reviewed. A 5-sectioned structured checklist containing 39 items designed by the researchers was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Among 360 neonatal case notes that were studied, 310 (86.1%) were admitted within the first and 7th day of life with the mean day of admission being 4 ± 5.5 days. 248 (68.9%) of the neonates had normal birth weight, 59 (16.4%) had low birth weight and 53 (14.7%) were macrosomic babies with the mean weight being 3 ± 0.6 kg. The two main causes of admission were neonatal sepsis 113 (31.4%) and birth asphyxia 94 (26.1%). A total of 248 (68.9%) neonates survived and were discharged home, 79 (21.9%) were discharged against medical advice, 25 (6.9%) were referred to a higher centre and 8 (2.2%) died. There is a significant association between neonates’ gender (P0.025), birth weight (P0.013) and neonatal outcome. Sepsis and birth asphyxia were the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Efforts should be intensified to improve the care provided to women and their newborns during labor and immediate postpartum period respectively.