Projects

A Case-Control Study on the Predictors of Neonatal NearMiss: Implications for Public Health Policy and Practice

Groups and Associations Avita Rose Johnson, MD, DNB, PGDMLE1 , Sobin Sunny, MD2 , Ramola Nikitha, MBBS3 , Sulekha immaiah, MD1 , and Suman P. N. Rao, MD
NEONATAL MEDICINE 2021

ABSTRACT Purpose: Neonatal near miss (NNM) allows for the detection of risk factors associated with serious newborn complications and death, the prevention of which could reduce neonatal mortality. !is study was conducted with the objective of identifying predictors for NNM in a tertiary hospital in Bangalore city. Methods: !is was an unmatched case-control study involving 120 NNM cases and 120 controls. NNM was determined using Pileggi-Castro’s pragmatic and management criteria. Data was collected from in-patient hospital records and interviews of postpartum mothers. Multiple logistic regression of exposure variables was performed to calculate adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% con"dence interval (CI). Results: Signi"cant predictors were maternal age ≥30 years (AOR, 5.32; 95% CI, 1.12 to 9.29; P=0.041), inadequate antenatal care (ANC) (AOR, 8.35; 95% CI, 1.98 to 51.12; P=0.032), <3 ultrasound scans during pregnancy (AOR, 12.5; 95% CI, 1.60 to 97.27; P=0.016), maternal anaemia (AOR, 18.96; 95% CI, 3.10 to 116.02; P=0.001), and any one obstetric complication (hypertensive disorder in pregnancy, diabetes in pregnancy, preterm premature rupture of membranes, prolonged labour, obstructed labour, malpresentation) (AOR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.26 to 14.95; P=0.02). Conclusion:!e predictors of NNM identi"ed has important implications for public health policy and practice whose modi"cations can improve NNM. !ese include expanding essential ANC package to include ultrasound scans, ensuring World Health Organization recommendations of eight ANC visits, capacity building at all levels of health care to strengthen routine ANC and obstetric care for e$ective screening, referral and management of obstetric complications. Key Words: Case-control studies; Neonatal near-miss; Infant mortality; Infant, newborn; Risk factors

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