Mode of neonatal death in an Irish maternity centre

Modes of neonatal dying vary among maternity centres, both within and between countries. There have been few reports concerning mode of dying from countries with low rates of termination of pregnancy, such as Ireland. We conducted a retrospective chart review of all neonatal deaths, between January 2010 and January 2013, within a single Irish maternity centre. The mode of dying was classified as one of (1) withholding life-sustaining treatment (LST), (2) withdrawal of LST in moribund infants, (3) withdrawal of LST for quality of life reasons or (4) death despite maximal intensive care treatment. There were a total of 64 deaths during the study period. Congenital abnormalities accounted for 47 % of deaths and prematurity for 41 % of deaths. Withholding LST was the most frequent mode of dying, occurring in 38 % of all deaths. A total of 12 % of neonatal deaths occurred despite maximal intensive care treatment.

Congenital abnormalities were the most common cause of neonatal deaths. A high proportion followed LST being withheld, most likely a reflection of the low rates of medical termination in Ireland. Modes of dying in the neonatal period vary between maternity centres with culturally different backgrounds.