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Causes of neonatal and postneonatal death among infants with birth defects in Texas
Author(s) -
Benjamin Renata H.,
Salemi Jason L.,
Canfield Mark A.,
Nembhard Wendy N.,
Ganduglia Cazaban Cecilia,
Tsao KuoJen,
Johnson Anthony,
Agopian A. J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
birth defects research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.845
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 2472-1727
DOI - 10.1002/bdr2.1879
Subject(s) - medicine , sepsis , pediatrics , population , cause of death , infant mortality , low birth weight , birth weight , neonatal sepsis , obstetrics , pregnancy , environmental health , surgery , biology , disease , genetics
Abstract Background The proportion of deaths attributed to various causes has not been quantified among infants with birth defects. We sought to describe the causes of neonatal and postneonatal death among infants in the Texas Birth Defects Registry. Methods We calculated frequencies and percentages for both underlying causes and all causes (underlying or contributing) of neonatal (0–27 days) and postneonatal (28–364 days) death listed on death certificates among infants born alive with birth defects and delivered in Texas during 1999–2013 ( n = 8,389 deaths). Analyses were repeated separately for infants with isolated, multiple, and syndromic defects. Results After birth defects, the most frequently listed causes of neonatal death were preterm/low birth weight (10%), circulatory system diseases (8%), and sepsis (5%). The leading postneonatal causes of death beyond birth defects were circulatory system diseases (32%), sepsis (11%), and renal failure (7%). Conclusions Improved understanding of the causes of mortality among infants with birth defects may help identify priorities for postnatal care. Our results suggest that potentially modifiable causes of death (e.g., circulatory system diseases, sepsis) contribute substantially to mortality in this population. Prioritizing continued improvements in prevention, diagnosis, and management of preventable conditions may reduce mortality among infants born with birth defects.