RESUMO
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.