title: Early neonatal morbidity and mortality in 'at-risk' and 'normal' term pregnancies.
abstract: It is a universally known fact that maternal well-being is related to neonatal health. This case-control study aims to assess the pattern and strength of association of neonatal morbidity and mortality (in first 7 days of life) in relation to the presence of obstetric & medical risk factors in the mother (indicating maternal ill-health). In 250 cases (at-risk pregnancies), 75 (30%) developed neonatal illnesses while 17 (6.8%) perinatal deaths occurred in first seven days. In the same number of controls (uncomplicated pregnancies) there were only two perinatal deaths and lesser number of newborns (45/250, 16.4%) developed neonatal diseases in the first 7 days. Perinatal deaths, (still births and early neonatal deaths), (OR = 9.05; AR = 88.2%) and neonatal illnesses (OR = 2.2 and AR = 45) were strongly associated with presence of maternal risk factors. This study supports the fact that 'at risk' pregnancies have highly significant chances of developing early (first 7 days) neonatal morbidity (p < 0.001) and mortality (p < 0.001). Still births also occurred significantly more (p < 0.005) in number among 'at risk' (cases) than normal term pregnancies (controls).
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Jani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sood
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D012307:Risk Factors