Preterm Neonatal Mortality and its predictors in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Preterm neonatal death is a global problem. In Ethiopia, it is still high, and the trend in reduction is slower as compared to child mortality. Preterm neonatal birth is the leading cause. The magnitude and associated factors are also not well documented. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the incidence of mortality and its predictors among preterm neonates in Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital (TASH). METHODS: An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 604 preterm neonates admitted to Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital. Data were collected by reviewing patient charts using systematic sampling with a checklist. The data entry was done using EpiData version 4.2, and analysis was done using Stata Version 14.1. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests were used to estimate the survival time and to compare it. Cox proportional hazard was also fitted to identify major predictors. Hazard Ratios (HRs) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were used to assess the relationship between factors associated with the occurrence of death. Finally, statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: In this study, a total of 604 patient charts were reviewed; of these, 571 met the inclusion criteria and were recruited to the study. A total of 170(29.7%) preterm neonates died during the follow-up period. The median follow-up time of preterm neonate under the cohort was 21 days (IQR: 4, 27). The incidence rate was 39.1 per 1000-person day. Rural residency (AHR: 1.45 (95% CI: 1.1,4.8)), Maternal diabetic Mellitus (AHR:2.29 (95%CI: 1.43,3.65), neonatal sepsis (AHR:1.62 (95% CI: 1.11,2.37), respiratory distress (AHR:1.54 (95% CI:1.03, 2.31), extreme prematurity (AHR:2.87 (95% CI:1.61, 5.11), and low APGAR score (AHR:3.11 (95% CI:1.79, 5.05) was found to be predictors. CONCLUSION: The rate of preterm neonatal mortality is still an important problem. Having maternal gestational Diabetic Mellitus, neonatal sepsis, respiratory distress, and low Apgar score were major predictors for preterm neonatal mortality. Therefore, efforts have to be made to reduce the incidence of death and for timely management of mothers with Diabetic Mellitus. Healthcare professionals should also work on early diagnosis and treatment of preterm neonate with sepsis, respiratory distress, and low Apgar score.