Factors Associated with Neonatal Survival in a Special Care Newborn Unit in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

The 2020 neonatal mortality rate in Bangladesh was 17 deaths per 1,000 live births, higher than the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal target (12 deaths per 1,000 live births). Over the past decade, Bangladesh has established special care newborn units (SCANUs) in medical facilities countrywide to improve neonatal survival. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in the SCANU of a tertiary-level healthcare facility in Bangladesh to study neonatal survival and associated risk factors using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Of 674 neonates admitted to the unit between January and November 2018, 263 (39%) died in hospital, 309 (46%) were discharged against medical advice, 90 (13%) were discharged healthy, and 12 (2%) had other discharge statuses. The median duration of time spent in hospital was 3 days, and 60% were admitted at birth. Neonates delivered via Cesarean section (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2-5.6) had an increased odds of recovering and being discharged, whereas those diagnosed with prematurity and/or low birth weight at admission (aOR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.4) had a decreased odds of doing so. The high mortality rate and large number of neonates discharged against medical advice suggest a need to investigate the etiology of death and the factors leading to children leaving hospital prior to recovery. Medical records lacked information on gestational age that could provide key insights about mortality risk and age of viability in this setting. Addressing these knowledge gaps in SCANUs may enable better support for the improvement of child survival.