Factors associated with birth injuries in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit: a retrospective study in a Ghanaian tertiary care setting

Background: A birth injury is structural damage or functional deterioration of the neonate’s body due to a traumatic incident at birth. The prevalence and type vary from place place. There paucity data on injuries in Ghana. Objective: study aimed determine factors associated with neonates admitted tertiary institution Northern Methods: This was quantitative retrospective carried out neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) Tamale Teaching Hospital between January 2018 through December 2019. Results: Out 5590 NICU, 205 were noted have various forms corresponding 3.66%(37 per 1000 our unit). Majority male (n=123/205, 60.0%), most deliveries occurred hospital(n=143/205, 69.75%), spontaneous vaginal delivery accounted for 70.73% (n=145/205). Extracranial (n=146/221, 66.06%) common form injury. Next musculoskeletal (n=41/221, 18.55%) humeral fractures (n=15/221, 6.78%) being frequent this category. Among there 23 deaths recorded (11.22%) all but one whom had asphyxia. Birth significantly delivery(p=0.029). Out-born babies more likely extracranial (adjusted odds ratio,5.10; 95% CI: 1.53-16.94;p=0.008). Conclusion: study. Place injuries. Building capacity health professionals essential reduce incidence Some these can be avoided if high risk pregnancies are referred early institutions that resources skill deliver such babies.