The Prevalence of Neonatal Near Misses in Rabat, Morocco

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Health
• Public Health
• Quality Improvement in Healthcare

Background:

• The concept of near-miss neonatal (NMN) events is valuable for assessing newborn care quality.
• Limited data exists on NMN cases in Morocco, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of near-miss neonatal (NMN) cases among live births.
• To analyze the characteristics of NMN cases at the University Hospital of Rabat, Morocco.

Main Methods:

• An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted involving 2676 newborns from January to December 2021.
• Data collection utilized a structured checklist, focusing on pragmatic and management markers of NMN.
• Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics using SPSS version 23.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of NMN cases was observed at 88.5% (95% CI: 88.3-90.7).
• Maternal factors included high rates of referrals (57.5%), multiparity (59.9%), and insufficient prenatal care (78.5%).
• Pragmatic criteria were met in 43.6% of cases, with intravenous antibiotic use being the most common management criterion (56.0%).

Conclusions:

• The study identified a significant prevalence of near-miss neonatal cases in Morocco.
• Improving maternal healthcare services, including early complication detection and management, is crucial.
• Concerted efforts are needed to enhance the quality of newborn care and reduce NMN events.