Common Causes of Neonatal Death in Calabar, South-South Nigeria: An Autopsy Study
Ugbem Theophilus Ipeh
Department of Pathology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Akaba Kingsley *
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Ushie David Edem
Department of Pathology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Juliet Venn
Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Nnoli Martin
Department of Pathology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Ebughe Godwin Abeng
Department of Pathology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Oshatuyi Olukayode
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Neonatal deaths are deaths of live born babies occurring before 28 completed days. The vast majority occur in low-income countries like Nigeria with a high neonatal mortality rate. There is paucity of autopsy studies due to refusal of family to give consent for such procedures.
Aim: To identify the commonest causes of neonatal death in 53 neonatal autopsies in Calabar, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: Detailed postmortem was carried out using lettules techniques and bits taken for histological analysis to ascertain the cause of death. Other relevant contributory factors such as the gestational age, mode of delivery, place of birth, antemortem cause of deaths and maternal obstetric history were obtained from the medical records and autopsy request forms.
Results: In the one-year retrospective study of 53 neonatal autopsies, male: female ratio was 1: 0.83 and mean age at death was 6.5 + 7.3 days, ranging from 1 to 28 days. The commonest cause of neonatal death was severe birth asphyxia seen in 10 cases (18.9%), followed by kernicterus in 6 cases (11.3%), birth trauma seen in 6 cases (11.3%), congenital heart disease seen in 5 cases (9.4%), and prematurity seen in 5 cases (9.4%).
Conclusion: The study confirms the usefulness of neonatal autopsy in ascertaining the definitive cause of death. Severe birth Asphyxia was identified as the commonest cause of death in the neonatal period followed by birth trauma, kernicterus and congenital heart diseases.
Keywords: Neonatal death, neonatal autopsy, cause of death, severe birth asphyxia