Causes of mortality in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A retrospective study

Background: The neonatal period, which encompasses the first 28 days of life, is characterized by increased vulnerability to significant health challenges, resulting in elevated mortality rates.Objectives: This study aimed to identify the causes of mortality among neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Karbala Teaching Hospital for Children in Iraq.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to extract data on the causes of neonatal mortality from medical records in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Karbala Teaching Hospital for Children, covering the years 2017 to 2022. The collected data included the neonate's gender, gestational age, time of death, medical history, and cause of death.Results: The total mortality rates varied from 9.5% to 12.03% across different years. In 2017, the mortality rate was higher among full-term neonates; however, starting in 2018, the mortality rate for preterm infants significantly exceeded that of term infants. The trends in causes of mortality changed over the years. Septicemia was the leading cause of neonatal mortality in 2017 (42.1%), followed by asphyxia (19.7%) and congenital heart disease (CHD) (10.5%). By 2022, the most common causes of neonatal mortality included prematurity (21.3%), septicemia (17.5%), and CHD (16.3%).Conclusion: Septicemia, CHD, and asphyxia were the primary causes of mortality in NICUs over the years. Tailored interventions are essential for developing effective healthcare strategies.