Neonatal and prenatal causes of death in Gorgan-North of Iran

Background: Reduction of neonatal mortality rate can improve health and newborn status of the society. This study was done to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of causes for neonatal mortality in Gorgan, North of Iran. Methods: this descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out on all birth in the maternity Dezyani hospital in Gorgan, North of Iran during 1 September 2008 -31 March 2011. Causes of mortality were evaluated in newborns that admitted and died in the NICU. Died newborns were screened for primary and final causes of death. The final causes of the mortality in majority of neonates were extracted according to the International Coding of disease Ver10 (ICD10). Results: The total number of births was14785. The leading primary obstetric causes of death were: spontaneous preterm labor 36(25.7%), fetal abnormality 31(22.1%), hypertensive disorders 21(15%), unexplained intrauterine death 21(15%), maternal disease 12 (8.6%), intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) 10 (7.1%), oligohydroamnios 5(3.6%) and ante partum hemorrhage 4 (2.9%). Mortality rate was 76.8% during the first week of life. General final causes of death were; pulmonary bleeding17.9%, septic shock16.8%, IVH15.8%, congenital anomalies and pnomotorax 13.7% in fourth grade. Conclusion: The risk factors, main associated reason and procedures for prevention of spontaneous preterm labor and fetal abnormality should be includes as the main themes in perinatal research. In addition, there should be emphasized on necessity of genetic consultations and health care before and during pregnancy.