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[Clinico-statistical features of perinatal and early neonatal mortality]
Insights
Neonatal and perinatal mortality rates decreased significantly at Bologna University from 1971-1981 due to improved obstetric and pediatric care. However, very low birth weight (VLBW) infants remain a critical concern, accounting for a large proportion of neonatal deaths.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal and neonatal health outcomes.
- Public health monitoring indicators.
- Obstetric and pediatric capacity assessment.
Context:
- Neonatal and perinatal mortality rates are key indicators of population health and healthcare system capacity.
- This study analyzes trends at the Istituto Clinico di Puericultura, Bologna University, from 1971 to 1981.
- Perinatal mortality encompasses stillbirths and early neonatal deaths (first week of life).
Purpose:
- To examine variations in neonatal and perinatal mortality rates over a decade.
- To identify factors contributing to observed mortality trends.
- To highlight areas requiring continued focus in neonatal care.
Summary:
- Significant reductions in stillbirths (12.5% to 7.8%) and early neonatal mortality (13.2% to 7.0%) were observed between 1971 and 1981.
- The overall perinatal mortality rate at the Obstretic-Neonatal Unit of Bologna University decreased from 25.6% in 1976 to 14.8% in 1981.
- Improvements in healthcare services and modern medical practices contributed to this decline.
Impact:
- The study underscores the positive impact of enhanced health services on reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality.
- A critical finding is that very low birth weight (VLBW) infants represent a disproportionate burden, accounting for approximately 40% of neonatal deaths.
- Continued focus on the care of VLBW infants is essential for further improvements in neonatal survival rates.
Abstract:
Perinatal and neonatal mortality rates are considered to be among the most sensitive measures available for monitoring the health of population and consequently have been assumed, too, to reflect primarily the capacity of the obstetricians and pediatricians. Perinatal mortality is here defined as stillbirths (or late fetal deaths) plus early neonatal deaths, that is, it includes fetuses born dead after 28 completed weeks of pregnancy and liveborn infants who died before the completion of the first week after birth. This report is concerned with the variation in neonatal mortality observed at the Istituto Clinico di Puericultura, Bologna University in a period from 1971 to 1981 and in perinatal mortality from 1976 to 1981 only. In this period reductions in stillbirths (from 12.5% to 7.8%) and early neonatal mortality (from 13.2% to 7.0%) are recorded. The decrease in the perinatal mortality rate, which occurred at the Obstretic-Neonatal Unit of Bologna University (dropping from 25.6% in 1976 to 14.8% in 1981) may be attributed to a comparable reduction in stillbirths and early neonatal mortality due to better health services and a more modern pattern of medical care. More attention must be given to that particular group of newborn babies weighing 1,500 gm or less (VLBW Infants) which accounted for about 40% of all the neonatal deaths.