Incidence and predictors of mortality among neonates admitted with birth asphyxia to neonatal intensive care units in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Birth asphyxia is the second leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide, including in Ethiopia, and remains a significant public health concern. Despite the availability of national data on neonatal mortality in Ethiopia, there remains a gap in understanding the specific incidence and predictors of mortality among asphyxiated neonates. To address this information gap, this meta-analysis was conducted to assess the incidence and predictors of mortality among asphyxiated neonates in Ethiopia.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies were identified through various databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Data analysis of pooled estimates for mortality incidence and its predictors was performed via STATA 17 software with the DerSimonian and Laird model. Heterogeneity was assessed via Cochrane's Q-test and the I² statistic. Additionally, publication bias was evaluated through funnel plots, Egger's test, and Doi plots.

RESULTS

Out of 68 identified studies, only 10 met the eligibility criteria, including a total of 4,866 participants. The pooled incidence rate of birth asphyxia mortality was 4 per 100 person-days (95% CI: 3-5), which was 35,754 person-days of observation. Furthermore, predictors of birth asphyxia mortality included: pregnancy complications (HR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.41-1.64), labor complications (HR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.15-1.44), severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.51-1.85), neonatal seizures (HR 1.23, 95% CI: 1.11-1.38), and comorbidities in neonates (HR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.24-1.39).

CONCLUSION

In the current study, the pooled incidence of birth asphyxia mortality was high, falling short of the Sustainable Development Goals target and highlighting the need for immediate intervention. Additionally, pregnancy and labor complications, severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, neonatal seizures, and neonatal comorbidities were identified as predictors of birth asphyxia mortality. These findings underscore the urgent need to enhance early detection and intervention for pregnancy- and labor-related complications, as well as severe neonatal complications related to asphyxia, in to reduce mortality.