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Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
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Non-linear association between admission temperature and neonatal mortality in a low-resource setting
Francesco Cavallin1, Serena Calgaro2,3, Valentina Brugnolaro3
1, Solagna, Italy.
Scientific Reports
|November 28, 2020
Summary
Neonatal temperature extremes increase mortality risk. This study found a non-linear relationship between admission temperature and neonatal mortality in a low-resource setting, with lowest risk around 37.5°C.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Public Health
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Neonatal hypothermia and hyperthermia are significant risk factors for infant mortality.
- Limited data exist on mortality risks across the full spectrum of neonatal temperatures in resource-limited settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between a wide range of neonatal admission temperatures and mortality.
- To analyze this relationship in a low-resource hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study at Beira Central Hospital, Mozambique.
- Included 1344 neonates admitted to the Special Care Unit (SCU) from January to December 2017.
- Utilized multivariable analyses with a non-linear term for temperature to assess the mortality-temperature relationship.
Main Results:
- A non-linear association between neonatal mortality rate and admission temperature was observed.
- Mortality risk decreased as temperature rose from 32°C to a minimum around 37.5°C, then increased above 38.3°C.
- Mortality was highest at the extremes (84% at 32°C, 40% at 41°C) and lowest around 37.5°C (estimated minimum).
Conclusions:
- The relationship between neonatal mortality and admission temperature is non-linear, with distinct risks across temperature ranges in low-resource settings.
- Optimal temperature for lowest mortality risk was estimated around 37.5°C.
- A significant proportion of neonates (36%) had missing admission temperature data.
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