Stillbirth and Neonatal mortality in Jordan: Findings from Jordan Stillbirths and Neonatal Deaths Surveillance System
- Maternal and child health
Background
Stillbirth and neonatal mortality declined significantly in high- and some middle- income countries because of substantial improvements in obstetric and neonatal care. Jordan has shown slow progress in reducing such rates mainly due to the scarcity of data on causes and contributing factors leading to these deaths. This study aimed to determine the rates, causes, and risk factors of stillbirth and neonatal mortality in Jordan.
Methods
An electronic stillbirth and neonatal deaths surveillance system was established in five hospitals in Jordan. Data on all births, stillbirths and neonatal deaths and their causes from May 2019 to December 2020 were exported from the system and analyzed.
Results
A total of 29,592 women gave birth to 31,106 babies over 20 months in the selected hospitals. The stillbirth rate was 10.5 per 1,000 total births, the neonatal death rate was 14.2 per 1,000 live births, and the perinatal death rate was 21.4 per 1,000 total births. Of all neonatal deaths, 29.4% died within the first day of life and 77.8% died during the first week of life. For neonatal deaths occurring pre-discharge, the leading causes of death were respiratory and cardiovascular disorders (35.0%), low birth weight and prematurity (32.7%), and congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (19.5%). Almost one third of stillbirths had unspecified cause of death (33.3% of antepartum stillbirths and 28.9% of intrapartum stillbirths). Acute antepartum event was responsible of 27.4% of antepartum stillbirths and acute intrapartum event was responsible for 13.2% of intrapartum stillbirths. Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities contributed to 18.1% of antepartum stillbirths and 34.2% of intrapartum stillbirths.
Conclusion
Stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates in Jordan are relatively stable. Several identified contributing maternal and/or fetal conditions are preventable. Focused care needs to be directed at high-risk pregnant women and to neonates with low birthweight and respiratory problems.
Stillbirth and neonatal mortality declined significantly in high- and some middle- income countries because of substantial improvements in obstetric and neonatal care. Jordan has shown slow progress in reducing such rates mainly due to the scarcity of data on causes and contributing factors leading to these deaths. This study aimed to determine the rates, causes, and risk factors of stillbirth and neonatal mortality in Jordan.
Methods
An electronic stillbirth and neonatal deaths surveillance system was established in five hospitals in Jordan. Data on all births, stillbirths and neonatal deaths and their causes from May 2019 to December 2020 were exported from the system and analyzed.
Results
A total of 29,592 women gave birth to 31,106 babies over 20 months in the selected hospitals. The stillbirth rate was 10.5 per 1,000 total births, the neonatal death rate was 14.2 per 1,000 live births, and the perinatal death rate was 21.4 per 1,000 total births. Of all neonatal deaths, 29.4% died within the first day of life and 77.8% died during the first week of life. For neonatal deaths occurring pre-discharge, the leading causes of death were respiratory and cardiovascular disorders (35.0%), low birth weight and prematurity (32.7%), and congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (19.5%). Almost one third of stillbirths had unspecified cause of death (33.3% of antepartum stillbirths and 28.9% of intrapartum stillbirths). Acute antepartum event was responsible of 27.4% of antepartum stillbirths and acute intrapartum event was responsible for 13.2% of intrapartum stillbirths. Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities contributed to 18.1% of antepartum stillbirths and 34.2% of intrapartum stillbirths.
Conclusion
Stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates in Jordan are relatively stable. Several identified contributing maternal and/or fetal conditions are preventable. Focused care needs to be directed at high-risk pregnant women and to neonates with low birthweight and respiratory problems.