In:
Pacific Health, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Library, Vol. 2 ( 2019-10-11)
Abstract:
Introduction The commonest cause of death in preterm neonates worldwide is respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In Fiji, prematurity and RDS have been identified as important causes of neonatal mortality and surfactant was added to supportive care in 2015. This retrospective cohort study describes the RDS epidemiology in Fiji’s major neonatal centre prior to surfactant introduction. Methods RDS-related intensive care admissions in 2013 and 2014 were reviewed and clinical information was extracted from medical records. Subsequent readmissions of RDS cases were also retrieved. Results The rate of RDS was 6.7 (95% confidence interval 5.5 – 8.0) per 1,000 live births. There were 36 RDS deaths. No cases who died received more than one dose of corticosteroids, compared to 25.3% of survivors. Conclusion Death from RDS was high, and is consistent with that in other low- and middle-income countries prior to the uptake of surfactant therapy. Improving antenatal corticosteroid use and access to surfactant therapy is likely to improve outcomes.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2537-8864
DOI:
10.24135/pacifichealth.v2i0.36
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Library
Publication Date:
2019
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