Morbidity and Mortality among Premature New-borns Admitted in the Nursery Unit of Al-Kuwait University Hospital in Sanaa-Yemen

Abstract

Nawal Hezam Haider Moghaless, Mohammed Abduh Ali Aqlan and Ali Ahmed Al-Zaazaai

Introduction: The incidence of preterm births is increasing worldwide, and Asia and Africa are the major contributors to the global preterm burden. Preterm babies have increased the risk of morbidity and mortality which is inversely related to both gestational age and birth weight. Objectives: To determine the common morbidities and mortalities of premature new-borns admitted to the nursery unit at Al-Kuwait hospital, Sana'a.

Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of Morbidities and mortalities of premature new-borns admitted to Al-Kuwait hospital Sana'a, Yemen from January 2014 to December 2015.

Results: Preterm babies contribute 35.3 % of the total admissions. Among the 244 preterm babies admitted, 74 (30.3%) babies were admitted due to low birth weight only, 57 (23.4) babies were IUGR, 59(24.2%) babies were admitted with respiratory problems and only 23 (9.4%) babies were admitted with infection Among the preterm babies admitted, (62.7%) were improved and discharged, (29.5%) were dead, (6.9%) were lift against medical advice (LAMA) and only (0.9%) babies were referred to another hospital. Out of 72 preterm babies who died, 44 babies were delivered low birth weight contributing 65.2% of the total preterm babies’ death and the second cause of death was a respiratory problem with 14 that contributing 19.4 % of the total preterm babies’ death, but only 5 preterm babies dead from an infection that contributing 6.9 % of the total preterm babies’ death.

Conclusions: Preterm babies contribute a significant percentage of the total new-born admissions in the nursery unit at Al- Kuwait hospital, Sana'a. Without improving the preterm care reduction of neonatal mortality rate and thereby IMR will be a dream unaccomplished.

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