Neonatal Mortality among Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Benghazi Children Hospital, Libya: A Retrospective Hospital-Based Study

Abstract

Neonatal mortality remains an important indicator of maternal, newborn and health system performance. This study aimed to determine the magnitude, causes and clinical characteristics of neonatal mortality among infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Benghazi Children Hospital, Libya, during 2016. A retrospective hospital-based descriptive study was conducted using NICU admission records and death certificates for neonates admitted between 1 January and 31 December 2016. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, such as birth weight, age at death, admission diagnoses, and causes of death, were reviewed. Data were analysed using SPSS version 17 with descriptive statistics. Among 1,686 NICU admissions, 147 neonates died, yielding a NICU mortality proportion of 8.7%. Males accounted for 55.8% of deaths, and 91.8% of them were residents of Benghazi. The mean age at death was 8.72 ± 10.7 days, and 58.5% of deaths occurred during the first week of life. Low birth weight (<2,500 g) was recorded in 40.8% of deceased neonates. The most frequent admission diagnoses were respiratory disorders (25.8%), prematurity (21.1%), neonatal sepsis (18.4%), congenital heart disease (13.6%), and multiple congenital anomalies (12.9%). The leading recorded causes of death were respiratory disorders (25.9%), prematurity (21.1%), neonatal sepsis (18.4%), congenital heart disease (13.6%) and multiple congenital anomalies (12.9%). Neonatal mortality in this NICU was substantial, with most deaths occurring during the first week of life. Strengthening antenatal, perinatal, respiratory-support, infection-prevention, and neonatal intensive care services may contribute to improved survival.