Neonatal deaths in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit: A retrospective descriptive audit

Abstract

Background: Perinatal Mortality rate is an important indicator of quality of health care facility which is 
a major concern in both developing and developed country. A decrease in neonatal mortality is the single 
most important measure of quality of any neonatal intensive care unit. Audits of cause and strata specific 
(gestation/weight) analysis and comparing with benchmark will give directions to improve the quality of 
neonatal care. 
Objective: To audit the major causes of deaths in a tertiary Indian NICU over 10 years. 
Method: A retrospective data analysis of 248 neonatal deaths (inborn and out-born) in a tertiary NICU 
over a period of one decade, information was obtained from electronic medical records and medical 
record registers after obtaining the institutional ethical clearance.