RESUSCITATION AND MORBIDITY PATTERNS OF NEONATAL EMERGENCY, DEATHS IN LAO CAI PROVINCE

Abstract

Aims: To understand neonatal resuscitation and mortality in Lao Cai province.
Subjects and methods: Data collection of all neonatal medical records from January 1st to
December 31st 2017 (including: neonatal admissions, resuscitations, deaths and withdrawals
in the hospitals in the study from January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017).
Results: Morbidity patterns of neonatal emergency showed 60% prematurity whereas other
conditions like respiratory distress, infection and asphyxia accounted for 2.6 to 3.4%. 29.3%
diagnosed with other emergencies such as trauma, tetanus and congenital heart diseases. In
terms of treatment results, 71% were stabilized post-resuscitation, 16.9% did not improve and
13.1% became worse after unsuccessful resuscitation. Prematurity, asphyxia and respiratory
distress were three main causes of neonatal deaths, which accounted for 63.1%, 15.4% and
13.8% respectively. The majority of newborns were resuscitated at Women and Children’s
hospital (298 cases), accounted for 68% of all cases in the province.
Conclusions: Neonatal resuscitation and mortality are closely associated with prematurity
and asphyxia. Two most effective interventions are optimizing prenatal care for pregnant
women and improving neonatal life support for all health care workers.