Outcome of low birth weight infants in Diyala province of Iraq.

OBJECTIVES To measure birth weight-specific mortality rates in the Diyala Province of Iraq and to determine if the causes of neonatal death could identify interventions needed to reduce neonatal mortality rates. METHOD We retrospectively compared the outcome of 196 neonates with birth weight 500-2499 g admitted in 2003 with 252 such neonates admitted in 2009. RESULTS The mortality rate in very low birth weight infant (VLBWI) increased from 12/80 (15%) in 2003 to 51/152 (33.6%) in 2009, (p = 0.003). In LBWI, 10/116 (8.6%) died in 2003 compared to 33/152 (13%) in 2009 (p = 0.29). Sepsis accounted for 35.2% of deaths in VLBWI and 39% in LBWI, Perinatal depression explained 39.2% of deaths in VLBWI and 24.2% in LBWI. CONCLUSION The VLBWI mortality in the Diyala province of Iraq doubled in the last 6 years reaching 33.6% in 2009, LBWI mortality increased by 50% reaching 13%. Sepsis and perinatal depression accounted for at least two-third of the deaths.