Global Burden, Epidemiologic Trends, and Prevention of Intrapartum-Related Deaths in Low-Resource Settings
Shabina Ariff1, Anne Cc Lee2, Joy Lawn3
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, PO Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan.
Insights
Intrapartum-related neonatal deaths, often caused by birth asphyxia, are reduced by skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care. Global initiatives aim to improve care and save newborn lives.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Obstetrics
- Global Health
Background:
- Intrapartum-related neonatal deaths contribute significantly to infant mortality, particularly in low-resource settings.
- Limited access to basic obstetric and postnatal care exacerbates neonatal mortality rates in poorer countries.
- Neonatal encephalopathy and intrapartum injury are key indicators of intrapartum-related neonatal deaths.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the impact of intrapartum events on neonatal mortality.
- To emphasize the role of skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care in preventing neonatal deaths.
- To discuss the potential of global health initiatives in reducing intrapartum-related neonatal mortality.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on intrapartum-related neonatal deaths.
- Analysis of factors contributing to neonatal mortality in different economic settings.
- Examination of the impact of specific interventions on birth asphyxia.
Main Results:
- Skilled birth attendants and basic emergency obstetric care can decrease intrapartum birth asphyxia by 40%.
- Poorer countries face higher neonatal mortality rates due to limited access to essential care.
- Intrapartum-related neonatal deaths encompass deaths from neonatal encephalopathy or intrapartum injury within 28 days of life.
Conclusions:
- Improving access to skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care is crucial for reducing neonatal mortality.
- Global strategies like the Sustainable Development Goals and Every Newborn Action Plan offer hope for saving lives.
- Continuum of care interventions are vital for addressing intrapartum-related neonatal deaths worldwide.
Abstract:
Intrapartum-related neonatal deaths include live-born infants who die in the first 28 days of life from neonatal encephalopathy or die before onset of neonatal encephalopathy and have evidence of intrapartum injury. A smaller portion of the population in poorer countries has access to basic obstetric and postnatal care causing neonatal mortality rates to be higher. Presence of a skilled birth attendant and provision of basic emergency obstetric care can reduce intrapartum birth asphyxia by 40%. With the announcement of Sustainable Development Goals and global Every Newborn Action Plan, there is hope that interventions around continuum of care will save lives.
