Clin Pediatr | Volume 2, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access

Trends in Neonatal Mortality in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo) from 2011 to 2018

Adonis Muganza Nyenga^1,2, Bénédicte Nsasi Malonda^1,2, Aimé Kingwengwe Abdala¹ , Amir N’simbo Assumani^1,2, Olivier Mukuku^{3 *}, Oscar Numbi Luboya^1,3,4 and Stanis Okitotsho Wembonyama^1,2

¹Department of Pediatrics, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo ²Service of Neonatology Clinics, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo ³Institute Superior des Techniques Medicals, Democratic Republic of the Congo ⁴Department of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

^*Correspondance to: Olivier Mukuk 

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Abstract

Neonatal mortality is an essential indicator of the quality of care in a community. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, it remains a real problem despite the efforts made in the last decade. The aim of this study was to make an inventory of neonatal mortality at University of Lubumbashi Clinics during the last 8 years, from 2011 to 2018. It is a question of studying the evolution of the frequency of intra-hospital deaths, to determine the causes and the essential epidemiological characteristics. The frequency of deaths remained fairly constant with an average of 40.04%, of which 77.9% occurred in the first week of life. The death concerned more low birth weight (63%) and males newborns (sex ratio =1.23). The most common causes of death are prematurity (50.09%), infections (21.26%), respiratory distress (11.78%), perinatal asphyxia (9.57%) and congenital malformations (8.83%). However, a significant reduction in deaths due to perinatal asphyxia was noted (from 26.56% in 2011 to 2.81% in 2018). Newborns transferred from others hospitals had higher mortality than those born at University Clinics in Lubumbashi, 42.57% vs. 38.22%. Neonatal mortality remains a concern at University of Lubumbashi Clinics. Substantial efforts must be made and should be geared towards prevention through optimal monitoring of pregnancy, capacity building in neonatal emergency management and improvement of the technical platform as well as the inter institutional referral system.

Keywords:

Mortality; Newborn; Etiology; Lubumbashi

Citation:

Nyenga AM, Malonda BN, Abdala AK, Assumani AN, Mukuku O, Luboya ON, et al. Trends in Neonatal Mortality in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo) from 2011 to 2018. Clin Pediatri. 2019; 2: 1017..