Neonatal mortality in North Kivu: Specific cases at the Kivu Provincial Hospital from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2013

Our study focuses on 'neonatal mortality in North Kivu'. It was carried out at the North Kivu Provincial Hospital between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2013. This was a retrospective study. Its aim was to describe and analyse the risk factors for neonatal deaths occurring in the neonatal unit. The neonatal mortality rate was 19 per cent; prematurity remained the leading cause at 51.9 per cent; and early neonatal mortality stood at 80.9 per cent. Statistical analysis identified the following as significant risk factors: gestational age ¿ 33 weeks (OR = 2.11, 0.59-7.55); maternal age < 25 years (OR = 1.46, 0.55-2.78); number of antenatal care visits < 4, OR = 9.63 (1.89-59.76), urogenital infection, OR = 3.85 (0.82-20.11) and poverty: OR = 1.83 (0.56-4.17). Appropriate management of the pregnancy and the newborn during the first week of life should improve the neonatal prognosis.