Original article
English
H. Esahli1, S. Naim1 and Khalifa S. Ghenghesh2
1. Department of Paediatrics, Alklhadra Hospital, 2. Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Elfateh University; Tripoli, Libya
JMJ Vol. 2, No. 4 (September 2003): 31-34
Abstract
Incomplete reporting of Perinatal and/or neonatal deaths contributes to the lack of priority to newborn health. In addition to the general inadequacies in vital registration systems in developing countries, another factor is the mistaken perception that improvement in newborn health requires highly sophisticated and expensive technologies and highly specialized medical staff. Included in the study, 300 newborns admitted to the El-Khadra Hospital Nursery (EHN) during January- December, 1997. Indication of admission included preterm, preterm /HMD, preterm/IDM/HMD, IDM, neonatal jaundice and others. Reviewing the causes of death in our unit during 1996, most were due to nosocomial infections. Throughout 1997, improvements were carried out and included surveillance of nosocomial infections, infection control program, education of medical staff with emphasis on the importance of hand washing before attending each patient and medical care. During study period, there was significant reduction in rates of Perinatal and neonatal mortality (22/1000 and 9.5/1000 respectively) compared with those of 1996 (47/1000 and 34/1000 respectively). Although, Perinatal and neonatal mortality rates declined in our unit still more can be done and that most common causes of neonatal deaths are preventable by applying low cost measures.
Keywords: Neonatal mortality, perinatal mortality, Nosocomial infections
Link/DOI: http://www.jmj.org.ly/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1279