Cause and Predictors of Neonatal Mortality among Neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Public Hospitals in eastern Ethiopia: Facilities based Prospective follow-up study

Abstract Background: The first month is the most crucial period for child survival. Neonatal mortality is stagnated in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. And the trend in reduction is slower than infant and child mortality. The facilities-based cause and predictor of neonatal death in the neonatal intensive care unit were not well documented in this study setting. Hence the aim of this study was to determine the cause and predictors of neonatal mortality among neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care units in eastern Ethiopia. Method: Facilities-based prospective follow-up study was conducted among neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care units of public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia from November to December 2018. Data were collected using pre-tested, structured questionnaire and follow-up checklist. The main outcomes, cause of death was set by senior pediatricians and residents. Epi-Data 3.1 and SPSS 25 version software were used for entry and analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to find out the predictors of facilities-based neonatal mortality.Result: The proportion of facilities-based neonatal mortality was 20%. The top five cause of death was a complication of prematurity 49%, birth asphyxia 37.8%, infection 32.6%, meconium aspiration syndrome 17.3% and congenital malformation 6.1%. Low birth weight, preterm births, length of stay, low 5thminutes Apgar score, hyperthermia and initiation of feeding were predictors of neonatal death among Neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care units in public hospitals, eastern Ethiopia.ConclusionIn summary, the proportion of facilities-based Neonatal death was unacceptably high. The main causes of death were preventable and treatable. Hence, early detection, anticipating high-risk newborns and timely intervention is very essential. Furthermore, early initiation of feeding and a better referral linkage to tertiary facilities could contribute for reduction of neonatal death in this setting.