Global, regional, and national burden and trends of neonatal encephalopathy

Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a leading cause of neonatal mortality and disability. The study aims to analyze the condition's global burden and temporal trends.

Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, mainly on the cases and rate of prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and deaths of NE from 1991 to 2021. We analyzed prevalence, DALYs, and mortality at different levels. Trends were quantified using percentage change and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC).

Globally, the prevalence of NE has increased from 1991 to 2021, while DALYs and deaths rates decreased. Low Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) regions had the highest prevalence cases in 2021 (15432, 95%UI: 12884-18173). The largest increase of prevalence occurred in South Asia over 31 years, with an EAPC of 2.11 (95%CI: 1.99-2.22). Ethiopia exhibited the largest increase in prevalent cases and rates, with a percentage of 248.51% and an EAPC of 3.56 (95%CI: 3.33-10.92). The burden of NE was consistently higher in males than in females.

Despite global improvements in DALYs and mortality, the increasing prevalence of NE in certain regions highlights the need for targeted public health strategies, particularly in low SDI regions.

We estimated the temporal trends of prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and death following neonatal encephalopathy (NE). The results demonstrated that NE increased, while DALYs and death decreased globally from 1991 to 2021. The prevalence, DALYs, and death rates for NE exhibited a negative correlation with the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI), suggesting a progressive reduction in disease burden as regional socioeconomic conditions improve. Targeted public health strategies are required to implemented in different SDI regions, improving the burden of NE.