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Determinants of neonatal mortality in a Tunisian population

Emira Ben Hamida Nouaili1, Sihem Chaouachi, Amel Ben Said

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Charles Nicolle Hospital of Tunis.

La Tunisie Medicale
|April 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal mortality in Tunisia is high, with prematurity, respiratory distress, and perinatal asphyxia as key risk factors. Perinatal conditions dominate causes of death, necessitating multidisciplinary prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Health
  • Public Health
  • Perinatal Medicine

Background:

  • Perinatal mortality is a significant public health issue in Tunisia, with high stillbirth and early neonatal mortality rates.
  • Neonatal mortality accounts for a substantial proportion of under-five deaths, yet data on causes remain limited.
  • Published data on neonatal mortality and its determinants in Tunisia are sparse, highlighting a need for current research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the neonatal mortality rate over a two-year period in a Tunisian population.
  • To prospectively identify risk factors associated with neonatal mortality.
  • To determine the causes of neonatal deaths.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2007 to December 2008 at Charles Nicolle hospital, Tunis.
  • Included all live births; neonatal deaths occurring before, during, or after hospitalization were analyzed.
  • Causes of death were classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD10).

Main Results:

  • A neonatal mortality rate (NMR) of 12 per thousand live births (LB) was recorded, with early neonatal mortality at 10.8 per thousand LB.
  • Significant risk factors for neonatal mortality included prematurity, neonatal respiratory distress, perinatal asphyxia, nosocomial infection, and small for gestational age.
  • Conditions originating in the perinatal period accounted for the majority of underlying (80.6%) and immediate (88.6%) causes of death.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal mortality in Tunisia remains high, primarily driven by conditions originating in the perinatal period.
  • Multiple risk factors contribute to neonatal mortality, underscoring the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary intervention strategy.
  • Effective pre- and perinatal prevention measures are crucial for reducing neonatal mortality rates.
Abstract

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